Manchester · WPP office
Hosted by IAB UK
AI in the North is a practical IAB UK conference on AI in advertising, taking place at WPP’s Manchester office on 12 November 2026. Designed for professionals across the North’s advertising and media industry, this focused afternoon will help attendees understand how AI is changing the sector now, not simply speculate about what may happen next. Expect research-led insight, practical industry examples and clear discussion of the regulatory and operational questions businesses need to address as AI moves from automation towards greater autonomy. The event runs from 15:00 to 16:45, followed by networking drinks, at the WPP office, 1 New Quay Street, Manchester, M3 4BN. Get directions. What the afternoon covers After delegate arrival, Eliza Lyons, Member Services Manager at IAB UK, will open the programme and explain how attendees can make the most of their membership. The main sessions then explore: - The State of AI in Advertising, Si Hunt, Insight & Planning Manager at IAB UK, will examine the shift from automation to autonomy and share key findings from IAB UK’s State of AI in Advertising report. - Agentic AI in advertising, Joe Jackson, Ad Tech Executive at IAB UK, will discuss the emergence of more autonomous AI systems within the advertising landscape. - AI regulation, Beth Rogers, Public Policy Manager at IAB UK, will outline what is known so far and help attendees understand the developing policy environment. - AI in Action, a closing session focused on what organisations are actually doing with AI, using examples rather than predictions. Additional speakers for this segment are still to be confirmed. Who should attend? This event is aimed at IAB UK members working across advertising, agencies, brands, media and ad tech who want a grounded view of AI’s current business impact. It will be particularly relevant to people responsible for strategy, innovation, policy, technology, insight or campaign delivery. No specific technical experience level is stated; the emphasis is on industry knowledge, practical learning and informed discussion rather than hands-on coding.… Register for this event
