The CE Midlands Big AI Debate

⌖ Birmingham · NEC Campus

Hosted by Venture Marketing Group Ltd

Explore AI technologies, blended learning and practical L&D solutions at World of Learning 2026, at the NEC in Birmingham on 6–7 October. Designed for learning and development professionals, this two-day event combines a large, free-to-attend exhibition with a paid conference programme for senior L&D practitioners. It offers a focused opportunity to compare suppliers, examine new approaches to workplace learning and discuss the issues shaping the profession. Explore the exhibition More than 150 learning and development suppliers will showcase solutions spanning AI technologies, blended learning services and other areas of the L&D market. Beyond the exhibition stands, visitors can access over 70 free seminars, making this a practical way to gather ideas and hear different perspectives without purchasing a conference pass. The exhibition programme also includes: - Roundtable sessions for collaborative discussion - Interactive zones and special features - A dedicated Mental Wellbeing Zone - The Life Skills Lounge - An Exhibition Keynote fireside chat on day two This mix of supplier discovery, seminar content and interactive activities should suit L&D professionals looking to research technologies, benchmark possible solutions or build their knowledge across multiple areas in one visit. Upgrade for the L&D Conference Alongside the free exhibition, the paid World of Learning Conference provides a comprehensive two-day programme addressing the vital issues facing senior L&D professionals. Conference delegates can expect engaging seminars, interactive panel sessions and collaborative roundtables, supported by enhanced networking opportunities and exclusive delegate perks. The conference format is particularly relevant to L&D leaders and senior practitioners who want deeper discussion and peer exchange, while the exhibition remains accessible to the wider learning and development community. Early Bird offers are available for conference places secured by 5 July 2026. Further programme and visitor information is available on the official event website. Venue and times The event takes place in Hall 19 at the NEC Campus in Birmingham: - Tuesday 6 October 2026: 9am–5pm - Wednesday 7 October 2026: 9am–4pm… Register for this event

⌖ Birmingham · Slug & Lettuce Brindley Place

Hosted by OkGather

Meet Birmingham’s software engineers, product managers, designers, AI professionals and founders over informal drinks on 13 October 2026. Hosted by OkGather and the Birmingham Tech Network, this relaxed networking evening offers a straightforward way to have useful conversations, exchange ideas and build relationships across the local tech community. It takes place from 7pm to 10pm BST at Slug & Lettuce Brindley Place, 66 Waters Edge, in central Birmingham. Who you’ll meet The gathering is designed for people working in and around technology, including: - Software engineers and developers - Product managers - Designers and UX professionals - Data and AI specialists - Startup founders and operators - VC investors and others involved in growing technology businesses Attendees may be building products and side projects, developing their careers or looking for people with relevant experience. Conversations could help you learn from peers, find collaborators, discover career opportunities, meet potential clients or simply get to know more people with similar interests. A conversation-first format There are no presentations, PowerPoints or speeches. Instead, you can grab a drink, settle in and let conversations develop naturally. There are no structured introductions or organised activities, making this closer to an informal evening with industry peers than a conventional conference or meetup programme. The gathering is generally self-hosted, with support from the venue rather than a designated host leading the night. On arrival, ask the bar staff for the “Birmingham Tech Network” table booking and they will point you in the right direction. The central pub setting is intended to make the event accessible, welcoming and well suited to conversation. This event is part of a recurring series held on the second Tuesday of each month. Places are limited to help maintain the quality of the group. Membership and venue discount… Register for this event

⌖ Birmingham · National Conference Center

Hosted by Distribution Strategy Group

AI Forum for Distributors brings distribution leaders to Birmingham on 15 October 2026 for a practical, one-day guide to implementing AI at scale. Hosted by Distribution Strategy Group at the National Conference Center, this UK and European forum is designed to help distributors move beyond experimentation and create an actionable AI roadmap. Drawing on four years of AI programming and research in the North American distribution market, the event focuses on lessons from organisations that have already deployed the technology,including the cost, time and ROI signals behind implementation. What to expect The programme brings attendees together in one room for sessions, a Distribution Leader Panel and structured peer networking. Rather than concentrating on speculative trends, the forum will examine practical applications that are already delivering value in distribution, including: - AI-powered search and merchandising - Demand forecasting - Customer service agents - ERP-native AI - Sales enablement - Strategies for deploying AI successfully at scale Attendees will also meet a shortlist of vetted technology partners with experience in North American distribution environments, alongside UK and EU companies worth watching. Presenting sponsors include Continuum and Faction, while exhibitors include Blocks, Whitespace and MyDataMatcher. Who should attend? This forum is aimed at distribution industry leaders from the UK, Ireland and continental Europe who need to make informed decisions about AI. It is relevant whether your organisation is still identifying its first useful application or is preparing to expand existing pilots across the business. The emphasis is on avoiding common implementation pitfalls, comparing approaches with peers and leaving with clearer priorities,not simply hearing AI hype.… Register for this event

Sponsors: Continuum · Faction

⌖ Birmingham · The ICC, Birmingham

Hosted by Birmingham Tech Week

The AI Symposium offers a comprehensive exploration of artificial intelligence technologies and their transformative impact across industries. Taking place at The ICC in Birmingham during Birmingham Tech Week, this full-day event brings together industry leaders, innovators, and AI experts to discuss the current state and future trajectory of AI implementation. What to Expect This multi-level symposium features dynamic sessions from key players across the tech ecosystem, providing attendees with practical insights into how AI is reshaping business operations, innovation strategies, and digital transformation initiatives. The event runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, offering extensive opportunities for learning and networking throughout the day. The speaker lineup includes over 20 industry professionals representing diverse sectors and specializations. Featured speakers include Andrew Knight (NED), Phill Chell (Co-founder & CEO), Clare Streets (Innovation Lead), Laura Bond (Founder), Mike Lewis (Strategic Lead – West Midlands Digital Roadmap), David Plumb (Chief Innovation Officer), and many other distinguished professionals working at the forefront of AI adoption and implementation. Who Should Attend This symposium is designed for technology leaders, business executives, innovation managers, AI practitioners, and anyone interested in understanding how artificial intelligence is transforming industries. Whether you're exploring AI adoption for your organization, seeking to expand your technical knowledge, or looking to connect with fellow professionals in the AI space, this event provides valuable insights and networking opportunities. The diverse speaker roster ensures coverage of multiple perspectives—from technical implementation and product management to strategic planning and business transformation. Attendees will gain practical knowledge they can apply within their own organizations while understanding broader industry trends shaping the AI landscape. Birmingham Tech Week Context As part of Birmingham Tech Week, the AI Symposium benefits from being embedded within a larger celebration of technology and innovation in the West Midlands. This positioning allows attendees to connect with the broader regional tech community and explore additional events throughout the week. The event takes place at The ICC, Birmingham, providing a professional venue with excellent facilities for this scale of t

⌖ Birmingham · x+why Foundry

Hosted by ProductTank Birmingham

Explore AI strategy and product execution at scale with Martin Eriksson and Max Borodin in Birmingham on 21 October 2026. This ProductTank Birmingham fringe event for Birmingham Tech Week brings together two complementary perspectives: how AI changes the foundations of product strategy, and what happens when a team puts that strategy into practice for a health app serving more than 20 million users. Expect candid lessons, practical product insights and debate with Birmingham’s product community. Two talks, from strategy to execution Martin Eriksson, “Welcome to the Software Renaissance. Your Strategy Isn’t Ready.” As development becomes faster and cheaper, Martin argues that the bottleneck moves from execution to clarity: away from “can we build it?” and towards “should we build it?” His talk will examine why simply using AI to perform existing work more efficiently can limit ambition, and how stronger strategic alignment can turn AI from a threat into an opportunity. Martin is a board member, strategic adviser and leadership coach who has advised more than 150 companies. His career includes The Financial Times, Monster, Huddle, Covestor, Cazoo and EQT. He also founded ProductTank, co-founded Mind the Product and wrote The Decision Stack. Read more on Martin’s website or view his LinkedIn profile. Attendees will also have the chance to win a copy of The Decision Stack. Max Borodin, “What AI Innovation Actually Did for a 20M-User Health App” Max will unpack how Simple, a US weight-loss app within Palta, used AI innovation to increase engagement by more than 50%. He will cover Coach Avo, an award-winning AI health coach used by millions; Blinky, an animated mascot created with generative AI; and the ways AI changed both the product and the team’s everyday craft. Max led the teams behind Coach Avo and Simple’s gamification system, which delivered the strongest retention growth in the company’s history. Connect with Max on LinkedIn. Format and agenda The evening combines talks, Q&A, food and informal networking:… Register for this event

Sponsors: AND Digital · Intel Stream +2

⌖ Barcelona

GlobalAI–2026 (Oct 05–07, 2026 | Barcelona): a three-day conference exploring AI, machine learning, automation, and AI agents with keynotes, research talks, hands-on demos, and industry panels. Learn the latest research insights, practical strategies to deploy automation and AI agents, and how organisations are applying ML in healthcare, finance, transport and education. Ideal for researchers, engineers, product builders, startup founders and enterprise leaders seeking cutting-edge techniques and partnerships. Format: multi-track keynotes, paper presentations, panel discussions, poster sessions, and networking opportunities over three days.