The Bristol AI Summer School (BAIS) 2026

⌖ 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 · 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 Beehive Centre

Build confidence with everyday digital tools at this beginner-friendly AI and online skills course in Bristol on Wednesday 4 November 2026. Digital Skills Bristol is a two-hour session for beginners through to improvers who want to feel more capable and informed when using the internet and common digital services. Taking place from 10:45am to 12:45pm GMT at The Beehive Centre in Bristol, it forms part of an eight-week course covering practical digital topics relevant to everyday life. What the course covers The programme introduces five core areas of digital literacy: - Getting online and building broader confidence with digital technology - AI, with content suitable for people who are new to the subject - Emailing and the digital skills associated with online communication - Social media - Online safety, helping participants approach the internet with greater awareness The course explicitly welcomes both complete beginners and people who already have some experience but want to improve. It is therefore better suited to foundational learning than advanced technical training. You do not need to be an AI specialist, programmer or experienced digital creator to fit the intended audience. Format and schedule This is a weekly, in-person digital skills course rather than a one-off talk. The full programme runs for eight weeks, with a break for half term. This listed session takes place on Wednesday 4 November 2026, and the Meetup schedule shows weekly Wednesday meetings continuing until 11 November 2026. The two-hour format gives participants a dedicated setting in which to explore a range of essential topics over the wider course. As individual lesson content is not specified on the event page, attendees should consult the organiser if they need to confirm which of the advertised subjects will be addressed during this particular date. Venue and organiser The session will be held at The Beehive Centre, 19A Stretford Road, Whitehall, Bristol BS5 7AW. It is hosted by Matt F. and organised through the MTrain Computers & Digital Skills Meetup group. View the event and registration details

⌖ 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