London Lab Live 2026: How modern labs are evolving to meet tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities

In the UK and globally, modern laboratories are undergoing rapid transformation. The growing need for operationalisation at scale means that what was once a largely process-driven environment is rapidly becoming digital and automated with the integration of artificial intelligence. This calls for collaboration across the industry to resolve the most pressing challenges in automation, connectivity, infrastructure, sustainability, and workflow integration.

To support this collaboration across the industry and address these challenges, London Lab Live 2026, taking place on 6–7 May at Excel London, brings together more than 3,000 attendees, including speakers from Pharma, Biotech, Food and Beverage, Clinical R&D, Chemical, and Industrial Labs. This event aims to connect strategy heads, procurement leaders, lab managers, CEOs, VPs, and senior decision makers with the solutions that build, equip, and run the most efficient laboratories, with a clear focus on strategy and integration.

Beyond the conference programme, the event also offers opportunities to engage with emerging research through poster presentations and to connect with a broader innovation ecosystem based in London, a city positioned at the centre of the UK’s “Golden Triangle” of research and development, alongside Oxford and Cambridge.

This combination of insight, access to innovation and cross-industry collaboration reinforces the role of London Lab Live as a key meeting point for those shaping the future of laboratory environments.

The Shift to Digital and Connected Labs

Digital tools are reshaping modern laboratory operations. From electronic lab notebooks and laboratory information management systems to AI-driven analytics and cloud-based data platforms, labs are becoming more integrated than ever before. These tools are enabling scientists to manage large datasets and streamline workflows with improved efficiency.

London Lab Live explores this shift on its programme agenda through core themes such as AI and machine learning, data management and automation as part converging technologies to create more intelligent lab environments.

However, while the technology and access to it is advancing rapidly, adoption is not always straight forward. The session “Leading the change: Navigating management in the age of AI and digitalisation” on Day 2 directly addresses this issue. It brings together leaders from organisations including Croda, Reckitt, and GSK to explore how labs can successfully integrate new tools into existing workflows.

The discussion focuses on the realities of technological transformation, such as overcoming resistance to change within teams, ensuring employees are trained and supported, making the right long-term investment decisions, and embedding digital thinking across the organisation. This reflects how digital transformation is as much about people and culture as it is about systems and software, a theme that sits at the heart of the conversations taking place at London Lab Live.

AI Infrastructure in the UK

Across R&D, AI is being embedded into existing systems to analyse complex datasets, optimise workflows, and support faster, more informed decision-making. In areas such as drug discovery, materials science and diagnostics, machine learning models are being utilised to identify patterns and predict outcomes at a scale that would not be possible through traditional methods alone.

Realising the full value of AI requires organisations to consider how it integrates into existing systems, how data is structured and accessed, and how teams are equipped to work alongside these technologies.

London Lab Live explores these questions through its focus on real-world cases and practical implementation, offering attendees insight into how AI is being applied across different laboratory environments today.

As AI adoption becomes more prominent in laboratory environments, there is a growing need to focus on its infrastructure. Building scalable, secure, and interoperable data environments is becoming a priority for the UK’s wider research landscape.

The keynote session on Day 2 by Ross King, Professor of Machine Learning at University of Cambridge, will be focused on building British AI infrastructure through policy, exploring how national strategy, investment and regulation can support innovation. This discussion underscores the importance of aligning policy with technological progress, ensuring that the UK can support the growing demands of data-driven research while remaining competitive on a global scale.

Supporting the UK’s Research Ecosystem

Alongside technological advancements, London Lab Live will also be addressing the broader ecosystem that supports innovation.

The keynote panel on Day 1, chaired by Ashleigh Furlong, Health Reporter at Bloomberg, will be exploring how policy, investment, and talent can be aligned to support long-term impact, and will include other leaders such as the Chair of AstraZeneca, CEO of ARIA, Chair, of UK Innovation Corridor and Executive Director, King’s Health Partners.

Key topics of discussion will include the role of public and private sector investment, the impact of global competition on the UK’s R&D position, and the ongoing challenges of retaining top research talent as part of creating an environment for sustainable innovation.

Why Should You Attend London Lab Live

The next generation of laboratories will be more connected, automated, and intelligent, with digital technologies and AI driving greater efficiency, accuracy, and insight across workflows.

However, realising this vision will require more than technology alone.

Organisations must invest in infrastructure, build the right skills, and foster cultures that support continuous change and innovation. Collaboration between industry, academia, and government will also be essential to ensure that new advancements can scale effectively.

London Lab Live 2026 provides a platform for these critical conversations, bringing together the people, technologies, and ideas shaping the future of laboratories. With over 3,000 attendees, exhibitors can engage directly with their target market, generate sales leads, strengthen brand presence, and close deals on-site. The event will also feature workflow integration demos, showcasing live, end-to-end examples of how AI, robotics, and cloud-based platforms interact in real time to eliminate manual silos. Attendees can take advantage of extensive networking opportunities, connecting with start-ups, partners, and investors to support their growth.

By bringing these elements together in one place, London Lab Live equips organisations with the insights, connections, and tools needed to adapt and evolve in a rapidly changing landscape. As AI and digitalisation continue to transform how science is conducted, those who can successfully navigate this shift will be best positioned to lead the next era of scientific discovery.