Tech for Good in conversation: Live at Giant Minds and the Bath Digital Festival
As part of Bath Digital Festival 2025, we were thrilled to take part in a range of thought-provoking events exploring how technology can drive positive change.
Highlights included joining Ghyston for a live recording of their podcast Giant Minds, and speaking at Aer Studios' panel on AI, privacy and sustainability, asking everything from “Is ChatGPT killing the penguins?” to what ethical, inclusive AI actually looks like in practice.
At the Giant Minds live session, only the second of its kind, our co-founder Annie Legge joined host Ric Hill, Ghyston’s founder and CTO, in conversation to share the story of Tech4Good South West and what drives our mission: connecting people, skills, and purpose to create social impact through technology.
Ric’s thoughtful questions set the tone for a meaningful dialogue. As a leader who actively role models how tech businesses can drive positive, his vision resonated deeply with our own.
The power of one
A key theme that emerged from the conversation was this: never underestimate the power of one person to make change. As Annie said on the podcast, “Don’t underestimate the power of an individual in a business.” So often, it’s a single employee who reaches out, starts a conversation, or spots a gap, and that spark leads to real impact.
We discussed the responsibility that comes with working in tech and how small acts of support can ripple outward. “It’s important to be aware of your responsibility,” Annie reflected. “How do we support third sector businesses to adapt and take advantage of this change?” Whether it’s AI, digital tools, or inclusive design, as an industry we need to ensure these opportunities are accessible to third sector organisations and wider communities.
This includes reaching those in “pockets of deprivation” across our region, communities still facing digital exclusion despite the tech sector’s rapid growth. This is where place-based support and local collaboration really matter.
Micro interventions, major impact
Through the dialogue from Annie and Ric, one of the most recurrent takeaways from the podcast was how meaningful small actions, what we call ‘micro interventions’, can be. Helping someone back into work after parental leave, giving a community organisation the confidence to try AI, or simply helping someone feel seen and supported at an event, these moments are often the first step toward tackling much bigger challenges.
We’re committed to making tech more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming, especially as we grow our reach into areas like Exeter and Devon.
Championing inclusion and belonging
Annie spoke candidly about how many people arrive at a Tech4Good event feeling unsure, maybe even like they don’t “fit in”. But by the time they leave, they’ve found connection, confidence, and a shared sense of purpose.
If you care about making tech more inclusive, ethical, and human-centred, you’re already one of us.
(Photo credit: Julian Preece as the photographer)
While the Giant Minds podcast was a standout moment, it was just one part of an incredible week. We launched our Tech Skills for Good pilot with Aviva, ran an action-focused AI in Action workshop to help charities apply AI tools practically and ethically, and joined the Aer Studios “Is ChatGPT killing the penguins?” panel at Gather Round to debate the environmental and privacy trade-offs of emerging technologies.
We wrapped up the week by co-leading a strategic digital inclusion roundtable with the Bath Digital Divide Collective, bringing together local leaders to strengthen digital access and skills in Bath and North East Somerset.
Let’s build the future, together
The Bath Digital Festival was a great reminder of why we do what we do. From panels to podcasts, we weren’t just talking about tech for good; we were putting it into practice. It felt like a real step forward in shaping a clear story about who we are and what impac we have
We're here to connect people, skills, and purpose, and this week reminded us why that matters more than ever. So whether you’re:
In tech and want to learn from others, share your experience, or be part of a community that role-models responsible innovation…
Working in the nonprofit or public sector and looking for support to explore, embed, or scale the use of technology in what you do…
Or someone who believes in bridging the digital divide and building sustainable, inclusive solutions to real-world challenges…
We’d love to connect.
Visit tech4goodsouthwest.org to learn more, or find us on LinkedIn.
Or just drop us a message, we’re always happy to chat.
Together, we can shape a future where tech serves everyone.
