<\/p>\n
Leeds-based 21 Degrees Digital hosted a practical and engaging free event on leveraging AI for business growth, highlighting live demonstrations, expert insights, and Yorkshire\u2019s rising AI scene, fostering a community eager to harness AI\u2019s real-world potential.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Leeds-based digital marketing agency 21 Degrees Digital recently hosted a highly successful free event, “Leveraging AI for Business Growth,” aimed at cutting through the hype surrounding artificial intelligence to provide practical insights for business performance and profitability. Held at Horizon Leeds, the session drew around a hundred business owners, marketers, and growth leaders from across Yorkshire, underlining a strong appetite for hands-on, honest guidance on AI\u2019s concrete applications in business.<\/p>\n
The event featured a lineup of respected technology and marketing voices, including Rory Mason, CEO of 21 Degrees Digital, and Zandra Moore MBE, co-founder of Zygens and a leading advocate for women in tech. Moore opened with a keynote that highlighted Leeds\u2019 pivotal role in the digital revolution over the past two decades and unpacked the workings of large language models and AI agents. Following this, entrepreneur Charlie Bartle shared her journey of adapting her business through the shifting technological landscape, demonstrating how crisis can spur innovative AI-driven opportunities. Together, Moore and Bartle conducted a live AI agent-building demonstration, translating theory into actionable tools that attendees could immediately utilise within their own organisations.<\/p>\n
The event centred on practical AI use cases rather than abstract concepts. Through a combination of short talks, live demonstrations, and extensive Q&A sessions, attendees explored how AI is already enhancing marketing outcomes, streamlining operations, and maintaining competitiveness in a rapidly evolving economy. Feedback from participants praised the “refreshingly honest” content and the presentation of \u201creal examples that can be actioned on Monday morning.\u201d Mason described the future landscape of digital marketing as one where AI works collaboratively with humans, enabling them to focus on creativity and customer service by automating repetitive tasks. He emphasised that AI is a partner, not a replacement, to human ingenuity and strategic thinking.<\/p>\n
For 21 Degrees Digital, this inaugural event marked the beginning of a broader initiative to foster a community keen on embracing AI-driven growth. The agency plans to roll out a series of open-door sessions throughout 2026, diving deeper into AI applications in SEO, paid media, creative testing, and customer relationship management automation. Founded by a group of performance marketers and creatives, 21 Degrees Digital has built a reputation for blending data-driven strategies with bold creative execution. Their commitment to integrating AI across all stages of the marketing process, from research to media optimisation and CRM automation, reflects a pragmatic approach focused on measurable impact rather than empty buzzwords.<\/p>\n
Mason highlighted the agency\u2019s swift growth and the strength of its team, noting the enthusiastic client base that aligns with their appetite for innovation. The success of the event demonstrates a clear demand among Yorkshire\u2019s business community for forward-thinking approaches. Alongside the talks and demonstrations, attendees enjoyed networking opportunities, refreshments, and additional value-added services such as free LinkedIn headshots and digital marketing health checks, setting a relaxed yet productive tone for the evening.<\/p>\n
This event builds upon a broader momentum in Leeds\u2019s AI scene, which features a range of activities exploring AI\u2019s practical and ethical dimensions, including initiatives like Parallax\u2019s ‘Applied AI’ events at the Leeds Digital Festival focusing on real-world applications without jargon, and educational forums such as Anthology\u2019s Ethical AI in Action Tour that address responsible AI use in higher education. These initiatives collectively underscore Leeds as a growing hub for AI innovation and knowledge sharing, complementing 21 Degrees Digital\u2019s mission to demystify AI for business and provide accessible, actionable insights to entrepreneurs and marketers alike.<\/p>\n
The combination of expertise, live practical demonstrations, and clear commitment to client success positions 21 Degrees Digital as a notable disruptor in the UK\u2019s digital marketing landscape. As AI continues to transform how companies operate, the agency\u2019s efforts to build informed, AI-literate business communities across the North and beyond suggest a promising path for sustainable growth and innovation.<\/p>\n