Bristol AI Ethics - September 2026

⌖ Bristol

Hosted by Founders Coffee Club

Founders Coffee Club brings Bristol founders together on 28 October 2026 for relaxed coffee, honest conversation and a coworking day, with no pitches or selling. Coffee, conversation and founder connections Taking place in Bristol from 10:00am to 11:00am GMT, this in-person meetup offers a refreshingly simple alternative to conventional business networking. There are no speeches, presentations or sales pitches. Instead, attendees can grab a coffee, meet fellow founders and let conversations develop naturally. The event is designed exclusively for founders and is hosted by Founders Coffee Club, a community that runs founder networking events across the UK. Whether you want to compare experiences, broaden your local network or simply spend time with people who understand the realities of building a business, the emphasis is on informal, peer-to-peer connection rather than structured content. What to expect - A one-hour, face-to-face networking session over coffee - A founder-only environment with no selling or formal pitches - Relaxed, unstructured conversations rather than talks or panels - A coworking day pass included with the ticket - A friendly introduction on arrival if you are attending for the first time If walking into a room of strangers feels daunting, the hosts specifically aim to make the first few minutes easier. New attendees will be greeted and introduced to someone straight away, helping the conversation get moving without the awkwardness often associated with traditional networking. The included coworking pass also makes this more than a quick coffee meetup. Attendees can combine the morning networking session with a day of working in Bristol, creating additional space to continue conversations and build relationships beyond the scheduled hour. Tickets and location Tickets cost £15, and registration requires host approval. The exact Bristol address is only shown to registered attendees, so request your place in advance rather than turning up without confirmation. You can also follow Founders Coffee Club on Instagram or LinkedIn. Request to join and get your ticket

⌖ Bristol · Origin Workspace

Hosted by Mindstone

Mindstone’s Bristol AI Meetup brings practical LLM demos, real-world building lessons and discussion about AI’s wider impact to Origin Workspace on 28 October. Taking place from 6pm to 9pm on Wednesday 28 October 2026, this monthly, in-person meetup offers a grounded look at how artificial intelligence is being built with and applied today. It is an opportunity to see working ideas up close, learn from practical experience and meet others exploring the fast-changing AI landscape in Bristol. Three perspectives on AI The evening features three talks spanning technical development, everyday application and big-picture thinking: - What I Learned Building With LLMs, a technical demonstration that breaks down the process of building an AI-powered product, including real-life lessons and insights gathered along the way. - Beating the Lotto, with AI by Jason Holloway, a practical demo and step-by-step guide showing how AI can be used to speed up and improve tasks. - What Does the Future Look Like With AI?, a theoretical exploration of how AI may affect work, everyday life and society. Together, the sessions move from hands-on product building to practical workflows and the broader consequences of adoption. That mix makes the meetup relevant to people already experimenting with LLMs and AI products, as well as curious attendees who want concrete examples rather than abstract hype. Technical builders can expect implementation-focused learning, while founders, professionals and AI enthusiasts can gain ideas about useful applications and future implications. Talks, demos and community This is a three-hour, in-person event organised by Mindstone. The structured talks are followed by pizza, drinks and networking, giving attendees time to compare projects, discuss the presentations and build connections with fellow AI practitioners and enthusiasts. The meetup takes place at Origin Workspace, 40 Berkeley Square, Bristol BS8 1HP. Its combination of a technical product breakdown, a step-by-step practical demonstration and a discussion about AI’s societal impact provides a broad snapshot of the field in one evening. Get tickets for the Mindstone Bristol October AI Meetup

⌖ Bristol · The Berkeley Square Hotel

Hosted by Bristol Young Business Owners (BYBO)

Meet Bristol business owners under 45 for a relaxed networking social at The Square Club on 28 October 2026, focused on honest founder-to-founder conversation. Hosted by Bristol Young Business Owners (BYBO), this monthly gathering offers founders a low-pressure way to connect with other people building and growing ventures across Bristol. Rather than formal networking, sales pitches or polished presentations, the evening centres on candid conversations, shared experiences and the realities of running a business. What to expect There is no fixed agenda, no talks and no selling of services. Attendees can move naturally between conversations, compare experiences and build relationships with business owners at different stages of their journey. Topics are not prescribed, leaving space to discuss the opportunities, decisions and challenges that matter to the founders in the room. The social is designed to help strengthen a collaborative young business community in Bristol. It is an opportunity to: - Meet founders and business owners on a similar path - Exchange practical experiences of starting and growing a venture - Learn informally from people who understand the demands of ownership - Develop genuine local connections without a sales-led atmosphere - Drop in for part of the evening or stay for the full session Who it is for This community is specifically for Bristol-based business owners under 45. BYBO distinguishes business ownership from offering freelance services, so the event is best suited to people building and operating their own ventures rather than attending primarily to market professional services. Both newer founders and experienced operators are welcome. You do not need to arrive with a prepared pitch or a particular question, the format is intentionally informal and based around useful, person-to-person conversation. Time and location The event takes place on Wednesday 28 October 2026, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm GMT. The planned meeting point is The Garden at The Square Club, at The Berkeley Square Hotel, 15 Berkeley Square, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1HB. View the event and registration details

⌖ Bristol · DeskLodge House

Hosted by Bristol Machine Learning Workshop

A biweekly data science, machine learning and AI peer-support meetup, taking place at DeskLodge House in Bristol on 28 October 2026. Hosted by CY Y. and Sam D. for the Bristol Machine Learning Workshop, this community-led session gives members a practical space to share knowledge, discuss learning resources and get help with projects or blockers. What to expect The planned format for this and the next few meetups includes: - Course spotlight and discussion: review one or two free courses or modules and compare key takeaways - Project roundtable: present a current project, idea or challenge and gather peer input - Tool demos: show tools relevant to data science, machine learning and AI - Paper club: read and discuss a recent paper or article - Mini hackathons: spend two hours building something small Contributors are being sought for each activity, so attendees are encouraged to bring projects, questions, talks or knowledge to share. No specific experience requirement is stated. Bring a laptop, and feel free to bring a friend. Time: Wednesday 28 October 2026, 18:30–20:30 GMT. The meetup runs every other Wednesday until 30 November 2028. Venue: Ground Floor, DeskLodge House, 2 Redcliffe Way, Redcliffe, Bristol BS1 6NL. Register for this event

⌖ 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 · The Square Club

Hosted by Rebel Meetups (Bristol) by Rebellious Co

A free, casual networking meetup for founders, creators, freelancers and entrepreneurs in Bristol, with open conversation and no formal agenda. Hosted by Rebel Meetups (Bristol) by Rebellious Co, this informal evening is designed for people building businesses, pursuing independent work or taking a less conventional professional path. Rebel Meetups have run free gatherings since 2013, occasionally featuring fireside chats with founders, creators and successful business owners. This edition takes place on Monday 2 November 2026, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm GMT, at The Square Club, 15 Berkeley Square, in Bristol. There is no formal agenda or dress code, making it a relaxed setting for meeting other local founders and independent professionals. Drinks will be available to buy from the bar. No speakers or fireside chat guests have been announced for this date. The meetup is part of a series held on the first Monday of each month until the end of 2026. It is supported locally by TechSPARK and made free through partners, volunteer hosts and the venue. Register for this free meetup

Sponsors: TechSPARK