The UK AI Research Symposium (UKAIRS) 2026 represents the premier national gathering for Britain's artificial intelligence research community, bringing together leading minds from across disciplines to shape the future of AI innovation. Taking place on 24-25 November 2026 at the John McIntyre Conference Centre in Edinburgh, this flagship event is organized through a powerful collaboration between UKRI, RAI UK, the national AI Hubs, and CDT centres.
Who Should Attend
UKAIRS 2026 is designed for researchers, academics, and stakeholders working across the full spectrum of AI disciplines. Whether you're advancing computer science theory, developing engineering applications, or pioneering AI solutions in healthcare and other sectors, this symposium provides a unique forum to connect with peers, discover synergies, and contribute to the UK's AI research agenda.
What to Expect
The symposium serves multiple crucial functions for the UK AI research ecosystem. Attendees will have opportunities to showcase cutting-edge research findings, explore collaborative possibilities across institutional and disciplinary boundaries, and identify cross-fertilisation opportunities that could spark innovative new directions. The event is specifically structured to facilitate meaningful exchanges between researchers from different backgrounds, helping to break down silos and foster the interdisciplinary approaches that modern AI challenges demand.
As the national flagship event for AI research in the UK, UKAIRS 2026 will feature presentations from leading researchers, interactive sessions designed to encourage collaboration, and discussions that will help shape strategic priorities for AI research across the nation. The gathering brings together not just academic researchers but also key stakeholders who influence research direction and funding.
Event Details
The John McIntyre Conference Centre provides a professional setting in Edinburgh's Pollock Estate, offering excellent facilities for this two-day symposium. The venue's capabilities support both large plenary sessions and smaller breakout discussions, enabling diverse formats for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
The AI Social Discussion Group’s first meet-up brings people together for an informal evening of AI conversation at Cumberland Bar in Edinburgh. Hosted by Nick B., this inaugural gathering runs from 7:00pm to 9:00pm BST on Monday, 19 October 2026. It takes place at Cumberland Bar, 1–3 Cumberland Street, Edinburgh. The event is focused on social discussion around AI and offers attendees an opportunity to meet fellow members of the new community. No detailed agenda, named discussion topics or additional speakers have been published, so expect an open, informal meet-up rather than a structured workshop or programme of talks. Attendees can also access the Meetup event chat to connect with others before the gathering begins. Learn more about the AI Social Discussion Group. Register for the meet-up
EdinburghJS returns to Edinburgh on 20 October 2026 for two practical talks on self-editing websites and internal tools. What to expect This October meetup brings together developers and technologists interested in how modern software can manage content and support work behind the scenes. Across the evening, two speakers will explore distinct but complementary building challenges: - Phil Holden will speak about building a self-editing website. - Alexey Golev will discuss building internal tools. The programme offers an opportunity to hear directly from practitioners tackling real product and engineering problems. The self-editing website session should be especially relevant to people interested in content-driven web experiences, while the internal tools talk will appeal to anyone building software that improves organisational workflows and operations. The event takes place at Perk, which is continuing its sponsorship of EdinburghJS by providing both the venue and catering. Doors open at 6:30pm on Tuesday 20 October, with the meetup running until 9:30pm. Who is it for? EdinburghJS is aimed at developers and members of Scotland’s wider technology community. This edition will be particularly useful for web developers, software engineers, product builders and people curious about practical approaches to websites and business-facing tools. The page does not specify a required experience level, making the meetup a useful place to hear new ideas, compare approaches and connect with other local technologists. Alongside the talks, the in-person format provides time to meet fellow attendees over the catering supplied by Perk. The meetup is presented by the Scottish Technology Club, a community for technologists in and connected to Scotland. The club also runs regular developer events, publishes a weekly bulletin covering events, content and jobs across Scotland, and maintains an active Discord server. View the event and registration details
MTForecast 2026 delivers the economic intelligence and manufacturing technology insights business leaders need to navigate an evolving industrial landscape. Taking place October 14-16, 2026 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois, this flagship conference from AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology brings together industry experts, economists, and manufacturing professionals for three days of strategic forecasting and data-driven decision making. Why Attend MTForecast 2026 In an era where manufacturing is being transformed by automation, AI, and digital workflows, having access to accurate economic forecasts and market intelligence is critical. MTForecast cuts through the noise to deliver actionable insights from recognized experts who understand the manufacturing technology sector. Whether you're planning capital investments, evaluating new technologies, or developing your business strategy for the next 2-3 years, this conference provides the data and context you need to make informed decisions. What to Expect Attendees will gain access to comprehensive economic forecasts specifically tailored to the manufacturing technology industry, along with critical market insights covering emerging opportunities and potential challenges. The conference features presentations from leading economists and industry analysts who specialize in manufacturing trends, global supply chain dynamics, and technology adoption patterns. Sessions are designed to be immediately practical — you'll leave with specific intelligence you can apply to your business planning. The event covers pitfalls to avoid and opportunities to capitalize on as manufacturing continues its digital transformation. Topics typically span economic indicators, technology investment trends, workforce development, automation adoption, and global market shifts. While specific speakers and session details for 2026 haven't been announced yet, past conferences have explored how tools like Airtable, Notion, and automation platforms are streamlining manufacturing operations alongside traditional industrial technologies. Who Should Attend MTForecast is designed for manufacturing executives, business strategists, operations leaders, and anyone responsible for making capital investment decisions in the manufacturing technology space. The conferen
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The 2nd MedTech Meets AI Conference brings healthcare technology leaders to Barcelona on 14–15 October 2026 for two days of practical AI insight and industry connections. Hosted by UBIQ Events, this specialist conference explores how artificial intelligence is being applied across medical devices, diagnostics and the wider life sciences sector. Rather than focusing solely on future possibilities, the programme promises real-world case studies, practical applications and expert perspectives on implementing AI in complex healthcare environments. What the conference will cover The two-day agenda will examine several of the most consequential areas where AI is reshaping MedTech: - Transforming disease detection through AI-assisted diagnostics - Medical imaging and the changing role of AI in radiology - Turning medical big data into useful diagnostic insight - AI-powered robotics and advances in surgical precision - Ethical and regulatory considerations for healthcare AI - The challenges, innovations and potential impact shaping AI’s future in MedTech These themes make the event particularly relevant to MedTech executives, healthcare innovators, AI strategists, medical-device professionals, data and analytics leaders, R&D teams, and life sciences decision-makers. The content is aimed at an experienced professional audience looking for implementation lessons, strategic insight and opportunities to compare approaches with peers. Industry speakers The announced 2026 line-up includes leaders working across innovation, AI research, analytics, robotics, manufacturing transformation and digital platforms. Speakers include Mayank Mohun of Siemens Healthineers, Karolina Henzel and Lukasz Nowicki of GE HealthCare, Donnacha Dunleavy of Medtronic, Sertac Guzel of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, and Abouzar Eslami, PhD, of ZEISS Medical Technology. Further perspectives will come from senior figures at Philips, Alcon, Fresenius Medical Care, Zimmer Biomet, Getinge and KARL STORZ. Additional speakers are due to be announced, giving attendees access to a broad cross-section of the organisations developing and deploying AI-enabled medical technology. Venue and tickets The conference takes place from Wednesday 14 to Thursday 15 October 2026 at Hotel Catalonia Eixample 1864, Carrer de Roger de Llúria, 60, in central Barcelona. The event combines
A virtual conference from The Principal Dev taking place on 14 October 2026, focused on the provocative theme “The $100K Hiding in Your Payroll.” The event is organised by The Principal Dev, which describes itself as a tech leads masterclass. It may be particularly relevant to engineering leaders, tech leads and others responsible for technical teams and payroll budgets. The published listing does not currently include a start time, timezone, speaker line-up, agenda or detailed session topics. Check the event page for the latest programme and booking information before making plans. Register for The $100K Hiding in Your Payroll
