AI Adoption: From Optional to Essential

⌖ Bristol · Torchbox

Hosted by Bristol AI Ethics

Explore the ethics of artificial intelligence through expert-led discussion, an AI news roundup and networking in Bristol on 29 October 2026. This monthly, in-person meetup from Bristol AI Ethics creates space for a candid look at the ethical,and sometimes distinctly unethical,use of AI. Taking place at Torchbox in Bristol, the evening combines a topical talk with group discussion, practical reflection and opportunities to meet others interested in responsible technology. What to expect The two-hour programme moves from informal networking into a structured exploration of current AI ethics issues: - 6:00pm , Arrival and networking: meet fellow attendees before the formal programme begins. - 6:30pm , Monthly News Roundup: review recent developments and stories shaping conversations about AI and its impact. - 6:50pm , Main Talk: the October speaker and subject are still to be confirmed. - 7:20pm , Q&A and discussion: question the ideas raised and contribute your own perspective. - 7:35pm , Grab a drink: take a short break and continue conversations informally. - 7:50pm , Positive Actions: finish by considering constructive responses to the issues discussed. The scheduled programme wraps up at 8:00pm. Attendees can remain for further discussion and networking until the group needs to vacate the building at 8:30pm. Who it’s for This meetup is relevant to anyone who wants to think more critically about how artificial intelligence is designed, deployed and discussed. It offers an accessible forum for technologists, researchers, product builders and other interested participants to exchange views on responsible AI. No specific experience level or technical prerequisite is listed; the emphasis is on talks, questions and open conversation rather than a hands-on technical workshop. Venue details The event runs from 6:00pm to 8:00pm GMT on Thursday 29 October 2026 at Torchbox, 3rd Floor, 15 Colston Street, Bristol. The venue entrance has a short ramp leading to the front door. Press the Torchbox buzzer for access, then use either the lift or stairs to reach the third floor. Attendees can also use the venue’s what3words location for directions.… Register for this event

⌖ Bristol · Natwest Accelerator Hub

Hosted by Bristol NatWest Accelerator

Learn how to choose and use digital technology to grow your business at this one-hour, in-person workshop in Bristol. Hosted by Bristol NatWest Accelerator with Business West, the session takes place on Thursday 5 November 2026, from 10:00am to 11:00am, at NatWest Accelerator Hub, 2 Avon Street, Bristol BS2 0PT. Tech adoption specialists will help attendees understand how the right digital tools can support creation, collaboration, promotion, sales and innovation, while controlling costs and maximising practical benefits. You can expect to: - Explore why choosing the right technology matters to business success - Discuss your own digital challenges - Learn how to avoid common adoption pitfalls - Discover further Tech Adoption for Growth support funded by the UK Government The workshop is designed for businesses in every sector, from recent startups to well-established companies. It is informational rather than a sales presentation: the organisers state that they will not promote specific technology solutions. No individual speakers or detailed tool demonstrations have been announced. Cameras will be present, and photographs may be used on social media. Notify the organisers if you do not want to appear in them. Get tickets

⌖ San Francisco · Hyatt Regency Burlingame

Hosted by Open Data Science Conference (ODSC)

Learn to build production-ready AI systems in just seven weeks with the AI Engineering Accelerator bootcamp, a hands-on training program that bridges the gap between using AI and building it. Running from June 9 through October 29, 2026, this intensive program combines virtual instruction with a multi-day in-person capstone at the Hyatt Regency Burlingame during ODSC AI West 2026. Designed for professionals ready to move beyond tutorials, the Accelerator provides comprehensive training in the core disciplines of modern AI engineering: large language models (LLMs), agentic AI systems, and production deployment. You'll gain practical experience with the latest tools and frameworks used by leading AI teams, learning not just how to use AI, but how to architect, build, and ship AI-powered applications. Program Structure The bootcamp follows a hybrid learning model that maximizes flexibility while ensuring hands-on engagement. Starting with the Summer Cohort on June 9, you'll participate in virtual training sessions led by experienced AI practitioners. The program culminates in an intensive in-person segment from October 27-29, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency in Burlingame, California, integrated with the main ODSC AI West conference. This dual-format approach allows you to build foundational knowledge remotely while maintaining your current work commitments, then apply those skills in collaborative, hands-on projects during the in-person sessions. You'll also gain full access to ODSC AI West's conference tracks, expo, and networking events. What You'll Learn The curriculum focuses on production-grade AI engineering, covering: - LLM development and deployment — Fine-tuning, prompt engineering, and optimization techniques - Agentic AI systems — Building autonomous agents and workflow automation - AI Engineering fundamentals — MLOps, model serving, monitoring, and scaling - Real-world implementation — Moving from prototype to production with confidence Organized by Open Data Science Conference, which has spent 11 years training thousands of AI engineers and data scientists, the Accelerator draws on ODSC's deep expertise in practical AI education. The program features specialization tracks tailored to different AI engineering domains, allowing you to focus on the areas most relevant to your career goals. Who Should Attend This bootcamp is designed for professionals who already work with AI tools and are rea

⌖ Sheffield · The Edge, University of Sheffield, 34 Endcliffe Crescent, Sheffield, S10 3ED

Hosted by APRIL

The APRIL AI Hub Annual Summit 2026 brings together researchers, practitioners, and innovators at the forefront of artificial intelligence and machine learning for a full day of knowledge sharing and collaboration in Sheffield. Taking place at The Edge at the University of Sheffield, this conference serves as the flagship annual gathering for the APRIL (AI for Precision Medicine and Healthcare, Privacy, Reproducibility, Interpretability, and Learning) community. As the second annual summit following the inaugural event in Edinburgh, this conference continues APRIL AI Hub's mission to advance responsible AI research and practice across healthcare, precision medicine, and beyond. The summit provides a vital platform for cross-sector dialogue between academic researchers, industry partners, healthcare professionals, and policy makers working at the intersection of AI, ethics, and real-world applications. What to Expect While the detailed programme is still being finalised, attendees can expect a comprehensive agenda featuring: - Keynote presentations from leading figures in AI research and healthcare innovation - Research showcases highlighting cutting-edge work in precision medicine, privacy-preserving AI, reproducible research methodologies, and interpretable machine learning - Panel discussions exploring the ethical, regulatory, and practical challenges of deploying AI systems in sensitive domains - Networking opportunities to connect with peers across academia, industry, and healthcare sectors - Poster sessions and demonstrations of ongoing research projects Who Should Attend This summit is designed for: - AI and machine learning researchers working on healthcare applications - Data scientists and engineers building trustworthy AI systems - Healthcare professionals interested in AI-driven precision medicine - Policy makers and ethicists concerned with responsible AI deployment - PhD students and early-career researchers in AI and related fields - Industry partners exploring AI applications in regulated environments About APRIL AI Hub The APRIL AI Hub represents a collaborative initiative advancing responsible AI research with particular emphasis on healthcare applications, data privacy, reproducible science, interpretable models, and robust learning systems. Previous APRIL events have established a strong reputation for bringing together diverse perspectives on the challe

⌖ Location TBC

Hosted by Sijthoff Accountants Academy

Finance professionals face mounting pressure to innovate, optimize processes, and deliver insights faster than ever. This hands-on workshop shows you how to harness the power of no-code and low-code solutions to transform your organization's data management and automation capabilities—without needing an IT background. Built around the Microsoft Power Platform (including PowerBI, PowerApps, Power Automate, and Dataverse, enhanced by Copilot), this intensive one-day session equips you with practical skills to drive process optimization and support the emerging role of "Citizen Developers" in your organization. You'll discover how finance professionals can take a proactive, strategic role in digital transformation by championing accessible, scalable automation tools. What You'll Learn The workshop covers three core areas: Building Low-Barrier Applications - Optimize and automate internal processes using no-code/low-code platforms - Understand the shift from traditional IT development to Citizen Development models - See real-world examples of process improvements in finance organizations Microsoft Power Platform in Practice - Hands-on introduction to PowerBI for data visualization - PowerApps for custom business applications - Power Automate for workflow automation - Dataverse for centralized data management - Copilot integration for AI-enhanced productivity The Finance Professional as Change Agent - Strengthen internal controls through automated processes - Improve data quality and information provision - Lead innovation initiatives within your organization - Bridge the gap between business needs and technical solutions You'll work through practical examples and case studies that demonstrate how organizations across private, public, and non-profit sectors are leveraging these tools to achieve faster, more efficient, data-driven operations. Who Should Attend This workshop is designed for accountants in business, controllers, internal auditors, government accountants, and other professionals involved in decision-making, information management, data quality assurance, management reporting, or process automation. Whether you work in a corporate environment, SME, or non-profit organization, the Microsoft Power Platform principles apply across sectors and organizational sizes. Your Takeaways By the end of this practical session, you'll und

Sponsors: Alex van Groningen

⌖ Location TBC · Hyatt Regency Burlingame, CA

Hosted by ODSC

ODSC AI West 2026 returns to the San Francisco Bay Area for three days of cutting-edge AI training and networking at the Hyatt Regency Burlingame from October 27-29, 2026. This flagship event brings together 3,500+ data practitioners, AI engineers, machine learning specialists, and business leaders in the heart of Silicon Valley's AI innovation hub. As the 1 AI builders conference since 2015, ODSC AI West offers an unmatched combination of expert-led sessions, hands-on training, and real-world insights into deploying production AI systems. The conference features comprehensive tracks covering the most in-demand skills in AI today. What You'll Learn The 2026 program includes specialized tracks across seven key areas: Agentic AI & Workflow Automation – Build autonomous AI agents that handle complex workflows and decision-making processes LLMs, GenAI, & RAG – Master large language models, generative AI applications, and retrieval-augmented generation techniques for production deployments AI Engineering & MLOps – Learn best practices for deploying, monitoring, and scaling machine learning systems in production environments Data Science & Machine Learning – Deep dive into advanced ML algorithms, statistical methods, and data analysis techniques Data Engineering – Build robust data pipelines and infrastructure to support AI/ML workloads AI for Robotics – Explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and robotics applications Hands-On Training – Practical workshops where you'll build and deploy real AI solutions AI Accelerator Program The event includes an intensive AI Accelerator bootcamp with specialized tracks designed for practitioners looking to level up their skills rapidly. This immersive program offers deep-dive sessions with industry experts and hands-on labs. Who Should Attend ODSC AI West attracts: - AI engineers and machine learning practitioners - Data scientists transitioning into AI roles - Software developers building AI-powered applications - Technical leaders implementing AI strategies - Professionals reskilling for AI careers - Startup founders leveraging AI technology Networking & Expo Beyond the technical sessions, the conference features an AI Expo showcasing the latest tools and platforms, an AI Startup Showcase highlighting emerging companies, and the AI X Leadership Summit for business leaders. Structured networking events thr