News

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan takes selfie with a robot to promote London Tech Week

The week long festival of technology takes place in June.
The week long festival of technology takes place in June. The week long festival of technology takes place in June.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said the city is open to technology investment from around the world, ahead of the annual London Technology Week festival next month.

The week of events will see artificial intelligence, robots and drones all appear in the capital, which is home to more than 46,000 technology businesses.

Mr Khan said the festival, which begins on June 12, was an opportunity to showcase the city’s ideas.

“London is Europe’s leading technology hub,” he said.

“Our talent, diversity, entrepreneurial spirit and global connections put us at the heart of digital technology.

“London Tech Week 2017 will be a fantastic opportunity to show that London is open to collaboration, innovation and ideas that could change the way that all Londoners live and experience the city.”

London skyline
London skyline
(Chris Radburn/PA)

As part of a new video released online to promote the upcoming festival, the mayor appears alongside a robot in City Hall to take a selfie.

Since the vote to leave the EU last June, more than one billion pounds has been received by London-based tech firms in venture capital investment, new data from company profile firm PitchBook claims.

This is despite fears that companies may look to move to other parts of Europe in the wake of the Brexit vote.

London Tech Week festival director Zoe Osmond said the event was important to prove the city remained a vital technology hub.

“Investors and business leaders are always attracted to London because it’s home to some of the best visionary entrepreneurs and innovators in the world,” she said.

Starship Technologies’ self-driving delivery robot
Starship Technologies’ self-driving delivery robot
(Nick Ansell/PA)

“But with other global cities increasingly looking to compete with London, it is important that we continue to shine a spotlight on London’s global tech offering.

“With a wide range of events to appeal to different audiences, London Tech Week will bring together investors, entrepreneurs, policy-makers and business leaders to experience London’s strengths in innovation and creativity.”

Drone racing and coding workshops are also among the events scheduled for the festival.