Innovation in Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes is one of the fasted growing cities in the UK, and a dynamic centre for digital innovation.
Home to 300,000 residents and a £13 billion+ economy, the city has become a living testbed for emerging technology — where new ideas move from concept to real-world application.
From the pioneering breakthroughs of Bletchley Park to the autonomous shuttles now navigating its streets, Milton Keynes has built a reputation as a place where innovation is a part of everyday life.
Today, more than 2,400 tech companies generate around £3.4 billion annually, cementing the city’s position as one of the UK’s leading technology hubs.
Arc positioning
Positioned between Oxford and Cambridge, Milton Keynes is the largest city in the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor, both by population and by economic output, with a GVA per worker at 128% of the UK average.
While Oxford and Cambridge drive research and discovery, Milton Keynes is where ideas are tested and delivered.
The city’s pro-growth environment, excellent connectivity, and business culture of collaboration make it an essential partner in advancing the region’s collective ambitions.
Smart City
Milton Keynes is recognised nationally as a leader in Smart City innovation, guided by its Smart City Strategy and Action Plan.
The city’s approach ensures that every new project delivers valid and measurable public value — improving mobility, sustainability and digital inclusion.
All major innovation projects are externally grant-funded, allowing the council to continue advancing cutting-edge technology without additional cost to residents. This framework has made Milton Keynes one of the most progressive smart cities in the UK.
Connected, Autonomous and Robotic Innovation
Over the past decade, Milton Keynes has developed a series of projects that have defined its role as a national testbed for advanced mobility and connectivity.
In 2018, the council created one of the UK’s first city-operated standalone private 5G networks, laying the groundwork for next-generation connectivity and real-time data exchange.
Building on this, StreetCAV (2023–2025) introduced connected autonomous vehicles on shared public highways, demonstrating how self-driving systems could safely integrate into city environments.
The ongoing StreetCAV+ project is preparing for remote operation of autonomous vehicles from a dedicated control hub in the city centre, paving the way for fully driverless public transport services.
Most recently, the RoboPASS initiative has been announced — establishing a licensing framework for robotics deployments in public spaces. This will ensure that future robotic and automated systems operate safely, ethically, and transparently.
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The Milton Keynes Tech Ecosystem
Milton Keynes is a home to an ecosystem of researchers and entrepreneurs that continues to grow through partnership and community.
Two flagship events have showcased this vibrant landscape each year:
The Milton Keynes Artificial Intelligence Festival, held in late October 2024, marked a defining moment for the city’s AI ambitions.
Across 14 events and 1,000 participants, the festival celebrated the first anniversary of the Bletchley Declaration on AI Safety, reinforcing Milton Keynes’ role as a global hub for responsible artificial intelligence.
The programme ranged from student sessions and ethical AI workshops to industry panels and live demonstrations, highlighting how AI can empower businesses and improve everyday life.
Building on that momentum, Milton Keynes Tech Week 2025 became the city’s largest technology showcase to date.
With just under 2,000 delegates, 31 events, and media coverage on BBC Look East and ITV News, the week reached over 23,000 in-person visitors and 3million+ online viewers.
Sponsored by Santander, The Open University, Milton Keynes City Council, and Cranfield University / MK:U, the event united global brands, local innovators, and residents under one shared goal: to celebrate and accelerate the city’s digital future.
Find out more here: Milton Keynes Tech Ecosystem 2022