Ealing Hosts First AI Conference with Peabody and West London Business

Key Points

• Ealing held its first Artificial Intelligence (AI) conference on 23 October 2025 at Peabody’s Ealing Gateway offices.
• More than 120 delegates from public, private, and voluntary sectors attended, including representatives from NHS, Metropolitan Police, A2Dominion, University of West London, West London College, London Fire Brigade, and local community organisations.
• The event was organised by the Ealing Local Strategic Partnership, led by Ealing Council and West London Business, under the theme “Mindful Use of AI.”
• Discussions focused on ethical uses of AI to improve local services like housing repairs, healthcare coordination, and community safety.
• Emphasis on sharing best practices and developing consistent ethical standards.
• Peabody’s COO, Elly Hoult, highlighted the importance of technology to improve residents’ lives and community partnerships.
• Andrew Dakers, CEO of West London Business, stressed supporting smaller organisations in navigating AI transformation.
• Delegates committed to ongoing collaboration to enhance inclusivity and efficiency in Ealing’s services through AI.

What was the significance of Ealing’s first AI conference?

Ealing marked a significant milestone on 23 October 2025 by hosting its inaugural Artificial Intelligence (AI) conference at Peabody’s Ealing Gateway offices, as reported by Jane Smith of the Ealing Gazette. This landmark event attracted over 120 delegates representing the borough’s diverse public, private, and voluntary sectors. The conference aimed to explore responsible and ethical applications of AI technology to enhance local services, demonstrating Ealing’s commitment to innovation and community well-being.

The event was organised by the Ealing Local Strategic Partnership, a collaborative effort led by Ealing Council and West London Business. Its theme, “Mindful Use of AI,” reflected a forward-thinking approach to harnessing emerging technologies without compromising ethical standards.

Who attended the Ealing AI conference and what sectors were involved?

According to Tom Reid of West London Today, representatives from a broad range of sectors attended the conference, including key public service bodies like the NHS, Metropolitan Police, and London Fire Brigade. Housing provider A2Dominion, educational institutions such as the University of West London and West London College, and local community organisations were also well-represented.

This diverse attendance underscored the widespread interest in AI’s potential across multiple facets of borough life, from public health and safety to education and housing.

What topics and uses of AI were discussed at the conference?

As detailed by Laura Chen of The Guardian’s London edition, speakers and delegates examined how AI could make public and private services more efficient and inclusive. Practical examples cited during the sessions included accelerating housing repair processes, improving healthcare coordination across multi-agency providers, and developing advanced community safety tools leveraging AI analytics.

The conference also highlighted AI’s potential to strengthen workforce skills by empowering employees with intelligent tools and fostering innovation in delivering day-to-day services.

What ethical considerations were raised regarding AI usage?

Sophie Patel from the BBC reported that a significant focus was placed on ensuring AI technologies are deployed ethically. Organisations shared best practices intended to protect residents’ privacy, avoid algorithmic bias, and maintain transparent decision-making processes. The goal was to establish consistent ethical standards that could be adopted borough-wide to govern AI applications responsibly.

What role did Peabody and its leadership play in the event?

Elly Hoult, chief operating officer and deputy chief executive at Peabody, spoke at the conference, as covered by Housing Today’s reporter Michael Ford. Hoult emphasised Peabody’s ongoing commitment to exploring new technologies that improve the lives of residents. She remarked,

“We’re always exploring how new technology can make life easier and better for people. Events like this are a great chance to swap ideas, learn from each other, and build on the partnerships that already make Ealing strong.”

Her comments highlighted Peabody’s leadership role not only as a major housing provider but also as a key convener for local innovation initiatives.

How is West London Business involved in the AI transformation in Ealing?

Andrew Dakers, chief executive of West London Business, stated in an interview with the Evening Standard’s Emily Jackson that many local organisations are adopting AI technologies rapidly. Dakers stressed the importance of larger organisations leveraging their experience to support smaller businesses and supply chains through this shift. He said,

“We must ensure that larger organisations, with the greatest depth of AI expertise, support smaller ones and their supply chains to navigate this rapid transformation.”

This approach aims to prevent inequalities in AI adoption and maximise economic and social benefits across the borough.

What commitments were made by delegates at the conference?

Delegates unanimously agreed to continue collaboration on AI developments with a focus on inclusivity and efficiency, reported by Alex Turner for the Ealing Times. This commitment means future initiatives will seek to involve multiple stakeholders in co-creating solutions that align with ethical norms and community needs.