Mercia Minds Grows as Mercia AI Enters a New Chapter
- Chris Howell
- May 28
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 1
Mercia AI is entering a new chapter — and our local community initiative, Mercia Minds, is evolving right alongside it.
First In-Person Event: Free AI Q&A at Coventry Central Library
We’re excited to be hosting our very first in-person event: a Free AI Q&A Session at Coventry Central Library, taking place on Saturday 7th June 2025. This session is open to all — whether you're an AI sceptic, a curious beginner, or someone who simply wants to understand what AI can (and can’t) do. It’s designed to be a welcoming, no-pressure space where questions are encouraged, and jargon is left at the door.
So far, 9 tickets have already been booked, and interest continues to grow. We’ve also been promoting the event across Coventry with a series of poster drops in key locations — libraries, community noticeboards, shopfronts, and shared spaces. If you’ve spotted a Mercia Minds poster out in the wild, that’s part of our mission to bring AI conversations into everyday spaces.

If you haven’t yet joined our Mercia Minds MeetUp group, you’re warmly invited to do so here: https://www.meetup.com/mercia-minds-coventry
And for those who prefer online spaces, stay tuned, we’re planning the launch of [REACTED] to keep the conversation going year-round, beyond our in-person events.
New Role, New Hours – But the Same Mission
From early June, I’ll be stepping into a new full-time role within the education sector. As part of that transition, Mercia AI will no longer be able to offer services to any organisation involved in, or supplying to, the education sector. This change ensures we remain fully compliant with the professional boundaries of my new role.
To reflect this shift, you'll soon see updated business hours. Going forward, Mercia AI services will primarily be offered during:
Early mornings (before 9:00am)
Evening sessions on selected weekdays
Saturday afternoons
This doesn’t mean Mercia AI is winding down, quite the opposite in fact. We’re sharpening our focus. With more limited hours comes greater clarity. Every session, every consultation, every workshop will be more intentional, more valuable, and more aligned with what clients and communities need.
And if you're attending the FindaBiz Networking Coventry East event on Tuesday 12th June, I’ll be there too — always happy to chat about AI, local business, or just introduce myself. It’s another great way to stay connected with what Mercia AI is up to.
Expect more targeted support, sharper strategic thinking, and a continued commitment to community-led AI education through Mercia Minds. Whether you're looking to explore AI tools for your small business, refine your job search with AI, or simply learn what all the fuss is about, Mercia AI is still here. Just smarter, leaner, and more focused than ever.
And here’s the upside: working full-time again also gives me the financial headroom to reinvest in Mercia AI. Whether it’s better tools, improved client experiences, or new learning resources, this change allows me to strengthen the business — not scale it back.
Mercia AI remains committed to its core mission: empowering individuals, organisations, and communities to harness the transformative power of artificial intelligence responsibly and effectively, especially right here in Coventry and across the wider Midlands region.