When AI Breaks Your Strategy + How Real Teams Leverage It to 20M Users

⌖ 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 · Innovation Depot Inc

Hosted by Birmingham AI

Explore practical AI tools and use cases for HR and People Ops at this free Birmingham, Alabama meetup, with lunch, a live demo and networking. Hosted by Birmingham AI, this 90-minute breakout is designed for people responsible for building teams and improving workplace operations. It takes place on Thursday, 15 October 2026, from 11:30am to 1:00pm (GMT-05:00) at Innovation Depot Inc, 1500 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama. What to expect - Welcome and networking - Lunch, which is included with attendance - A speaker talk and practical AI demonstration The session will focus on how AI is affecting People Ops, giving attendees an opportunity to learn about relevant tools and real-world use cases. No speaker or detailed talk topic has yet been published. The meetup is aimed specifically at CHROs, HR directors, People Ops leaders, talent acquisition managers and HR business partners. It offers a concise format for learning from a practical demonstration while meeting other members of Birmingham’s AI and HR communities. General admission is free, but capacity is limited. The event is sponsored by KEYSYS, Sparkhound and C Spire. Reserve your free ticket

Sponsors: KEYSYS · Sparkhound +1

⌖ 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 · Innovation Depot Inc

Hosted by Birmingham AI

Explore how AI is affecting software engineering at this free, hands-on Birmingham, Alabama meetup for engineers, data scientists and AI enthusiasts. Hosted by Birmingham AI, this 90-minute Engineering Breakout combines community networking, lunch and practical building with AI. Bring a laptop if you would like to follow along and build in real time during the session. What to expect - Welcome and networking with Birmingham’s AI community - Lunch included - An AI-focused speaker talk and demo - Collaborative, hands-on building with AI The meetup is aimed at software engineers, data scientists, AI enthusiasts and anyone interested in improving their understanding and application of advanced AI technologies. A specific speaker and detailed talk topic have not yet been published. Date: Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 11:30am–1:00pm (GMT-05:00) Venue: Innovation Depot Event Space, 1500 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama. The event space is the large room past the atrium on the right. Tickets: Free, with limited seating The event is sponsored by KEYSYS, Sparkhound and C Spire. Reserve your free place

Sponsors: KEYSYS · Sparkhound +1

⌖ Birmingham · The NEC Birmingham

Hosted by SAP

SAP NOW AI Tour UKI brings SAP leaders, industry experts and enterprise teams to The NEC in Birmingham on 22 October 2026 for a day focused on applied AI. This in-person, English-language conference will explore AI’s transformative potential, SAP’s new AI vision and a reimagined Joule experience. Rather than concentrating solely on strategy, the programme promises practical insight through real customer use cases, hands-on demonstrations and peer-led discussions. SAP specialists will also be available to answer attendees’ AI questions. Who should attend? The event is designed for leaders and their teams working across: - Technology - Finance - Procurement - Supply chain - HR It spans a broad range of industries, including financial and public services, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, energy, telecommunications, transport and consumer industries. The format should suit enterprise decision-makers and practitioners looking to understand how SAP approaches AI and how that technology is being applied in operational settings. The event takes place at The NEC Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom. A detailed agenda and named speaker line-up have not yet been published. Register for SAP NOW AI Tour UKI

⌖ Dublin · Royal Dublin Society (RDS)

Hosted by Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE)

Ireland's International AI Summit 2026 marks the official launch of European AI Innovation Month, positioning Dublin at the heart of Europe's AI conversation. Hosted by Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment during the country's EU Presidency, this flagship event brings together EU and global leaders, heads of government, CEOs, investors, innovators and academics at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) on 14th October 2026. What Makes This Summit Essential Under the theme Harnessing AI to Revolutionise Europe's Competitiveness, the summit serves as a high-level platform for strategic dialogue on AI's future application across Europe and globally. Ireland's unique position as the EU headquarters for sixteen of the world's top twenty global technology companies and eight leading foundational AI model providers makes it an ideal setting for this critical conversation about Europe's technological sovereignty and competitive future. Programme Structure The full-day summit combines multiple engagement formats designed to explore AI from policy, economic and technological perspectives. Ministerial addresses and keynote speeches from global leaders will establish the strategic context, with confirmed keynote speaker EU Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen addressing technological sovereignty, security and democracy. These high-level addresses are complemented by panel discussions and fireside chats examining: - Competitiveness and innovation in the European AI landscape - Trustworthy AI development and deployment - Digital infrastructure requirements for AI advancement - Investment strategies and funding mechanisms - Skills and talent development for the AI economy Sector Deep Dives and Practical Applications Beyond strategic policy discussion, the summit includes European-focused sector deep dives examining AI opportunities across key areas of economy and society. These sessions highlight practical examples of AI adoption and collaboration, showcasing how businesses, public services and research institutions deploy AI solutions to improve productivity, deliver innovative services and address complex societal challenges. An Innovation Spotlight Exhibition will provide enterprises the opportunity to demonstrate cutting-edge AI applications and solutions, with expressions of