AI events in Southampton.

⌖ Southampton · Eagle Labs

Hosted by University of Southampton AI Society

SotonShip 26 is a free, three-day applied-AI hackathon bringing 200+ builders to Eagle Labs in Southampton from 16–18 October 2026. Presented by the University of Southampton AI Society, the event has a direct mission: “Stop learning AI. Start shipping it.” Rather than focusing on AI theory alone, SotonShip creates a dedicated environment for turning ideas into tangible projects over one intensive weekend. What to expect Running across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the hackathon gives attendees three days to concentrate on building with AI. The event’s published “Manifest” sets out a three-day schedule, while its wider programme is organised around a mission and five pillars. Full details of those pillars and the timed agenda will be available through the event website. The format is aimed at people who want to move from exploring AI concepts to applying them. It should be particularly relevant to: - Students interested in practical AI development - Developers, makers and technical builders - Founders or aspiring founders testing AI product ideas - Creatives and experimenters looking for a focused shipping deadline - Anyone motivated by hands-on building rather than passive learning The organiser does not specify a required experience level on the published page. What unites attendees is the intention to make and ship: the event is explicitly framed as an applied-AI hackathon, not a conventional lecture series or classroom course. A builder-first hackathon in Southampton SotonShip 26 takes place at Eagle Labs in Southampton. With more than 200 builders expected, it offers a substantial in-person setting for focused project work alongside others who are actively experimenting with AI. The event also has a distinctive retro game and nautical identity. Its website presents the programme as a voyage, with a “Mission”, “Five Pillars”, “Manifest”, “Backers”, “Logbook” and “Boarding Pass”. The playful “insert coin” and “claim your seat” framing reinforces the core message: this is an event designed around participation and action. A logbook from the previous edition, plus dedicated sections for sponsors and partners, can also be explored through the event site. Entry is listed as free, but attendees still need to claim a place. Claim your boarding pass for SotonShip 26

⌖ Southampton · 46/3001

Hosted by Centre for Machine Intelligence, University of Southampton

Build a machine learning project with Darwin AutoML at this two-week University of Southampton student hackathon, running 6–20 November 2026. Organised by the Centre for Machine Intelligence in collaboration with SparkCognition, this competition offers a practical introduction to AI while developing your teamwork, entrepreneurial thinking and presentation skills. It is open to University of Southampton students from all academic backgrounds. No previous machine learning experience is required, although basic coding skills and an understanding of statistics will help. How the hackathon works The programme begins with an in-person kickoff from 6pm to 9pm on 6 November in 46/3001, Southampton. Food and drinks will be provided. The opening session covers: - A “Machine Learning 101” primer, including what the technology can and cannot do - How to use SparkCognition’s Darwin Automated Machine Learning platform - What makes a strong problem and dataset You will then work in a team of four or five until 16 November, applying machine learning to a problem of your choice. Teams may source an open dataset and pursue their own idea or use one of the supplied challenge datasets. Example problems include predicting customer churn, forecasting power generation from environmental conditions, analysing company engagement and predicting American football results. Python and the Darwin SDK may be useful for datasets requiring additional preparation or time-series work. Darwin is designed to help “citizen data scientists” wrangle and explore numerical data, search for suitable models, and evaluate regression, classification and prediction results. SparkCognition will also provide technical support with problem selection and the platform. Darwin video tutorials and sample datasets are available. Reports, finals and prizes… Register for this event

Sponsors: SparkCognition

⌖ Southampton + online · University of Southampton, Avenue Campus

Hosted by Charlotte Franziska Unruh

A hybrid University of Southampton workshop examining how AI and automation are reshaping work, worker wellbeing and the meaning of working life. Work, automation and ethics Taking place on Tuesday 15 December 2026 at the University of Southampton’s Avenue Campus, with an option to attend online, this workshop approaches workplace AI as an ethical and social challenge, not simply a technical development. It will consider what happens as AI takes over tasks, optimises workflows and changes the relationship between workers, employers and the wider economy. The programme centres on difficult questions raised by increasingly automated workplaces: - Are there distinctive harms or “bads” associated with automated working environments? - How should people live in a world where AI can replace most, or potentially all, tasks? - Could AI make work less meaningful? - What do changing workflows mean for workers and the economy? Rather than focusing on a particular software platform, the workshop creates space for philosophical examination of automation’s consequences. It should be particularly relevant to researchers, students and practitioners interested in the ethics of AI, the philosophy of work, technology’s impact on workers, and the future organisation of economic life. No specific experience level or technical prerequisite is listed. Speakers and format The workshop brings together speakers from universities in the UK, Ireland and Germany: - Markus Rüther, University of Juelich / University of Bonn - Charlotte Unruh, University of Southampton - John Danaher, University of Galway - Rosalie Waelen, Goethe University Frankfurt The hybrid format allows participants to attend either in person in Southampton or remotely. Organised by Charlotte Franziska Unruh, the event offers an academically grounded setting in which to examine not only what workplace AI can do, but how its use may affect human agency, meaningful activity and working conditions. Registration Registration is required. Attendees must email the organiser by Tuesday 8 December 2026, clearly stating whether they plan to participate in person or online. The event listing gives a registration deadline of 9:00am; RSVPing through PhilEvents alone is not sufficient to register. View the event and registration details