Pitch Club #35

⌖ Frankfurt · R3ASON, Westhafentower, Westhafenplatz 1

Hosted by ProductTank Frankfurt

Explore how GenAI changes product teams, not only their output, on 18 November 2026 at the Westhafentower in Frankfurt. GenAI can help teams generate more ideas, prototypes and code, but faster task completion does not automatically produce better products or healthier organisations. In this ProductTank Frankfurt talk, Prof. Dr. Lutz Göcke will move beyond the usual AI productivity narrative to examine what happens when AI shifts from being a tool to acting more like a teammate. The session will explore how that shift can reshape autonomy, ownership, trust and accountability across the product lifecycle. Expect a candid look at the potential fault lines: shrinking decision-making freedom, blurred boundaries between product management, design and engineering, concern about being replaced, and uncertainty over responsibility when “the AI did it”. What to expect - A practical view of where AI creates genuine leverage, and where it can quietly weaken a team - An exclusive preview of unpublished data from a live study on AI and product work in 2030 - Six bold theses designed to provoke debate rather than passive agreement - A talk, study preview, Q&A and group discussion - Informal networking over pizza and drinks The evening is particularly relevant to product managers, engineering leads and product leaders already encountering the organisational side effects of an “AI-first” approach. No specific technical experience level is stated; the focus is on product work, leadership and organisational design rather than a hands-on coding workshop. Schedule and venue Doors open at 18:30 for arrival and networking, followed by the talk, study preview and discussion from 19:00. Pizza, drinks and open conversations begin at 20:15. The Meetup listing runs until 20:30, while the published agenda notes an official end at 21:00. The event takes place at R3ASON GmbH & Vepa, Westhafentower, Westhafenplatz 1, Frankfurt am Main. Vepa is hosting the community at the venue, while R3ASON, an AI Business Studio, is providing pizza and drinks. Product development and consulting company codecentric AG is also listed as a sponsor. Places are limited. Register for the ProductTank Frankfurt event.

Sponsors: R3ASON · Vepa +1

⌖ Frankfurt · Messe Frankfurt, Hall 1.2, Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage 1, 60327 Frankfurt am Main

Hosted by ITCS

ITCS Frankfurt brings together Germany's tech community for a one-day festival combining career opportunities, cutting-edge tech talks, and networking on 27 November 2026 at Messe Frankfurt. Whether you're a student exploring your first tech role or a professional seeking your next challenge, this event offers direct access to over 75 exhibitors from Germany's leading tech companies, banks, and innovative startups. What to Expect The event spans three core experiences across a single venue. The Tech Conference features 5 stages hosting 50+ presentations covering AI, automation, software development, and emerging technologies. Past editions have attracted speakers from Deutsche Bank, Accenture, and BASF, delivering practical insights into real-world tech projects. The Job Fair component connects you directly with IT teams and hiring managers. Unlike traditional recruitment events, ITCS emphasizes informal conversations at exhibitor stands where you can learn about actual tech stacks, team cultures, and open positions. Confirmed exhibitors include financial services giants like ING Deutschland and KfW Bankengruppe, consulting firms such as msg and Materna, plus specialized tech companies like Yatta and statworx. The Festival Atmosphere ITCS deliberately breaks from corporate conference conventions. The noDresscode policy creates a relaxed environment where you can be yourself—jeans and trainers are the norm, not the exception. Throughout the day, gaming areas, table football, and table tennis provide natural networking opportunities between sessions. The event concludes with an after-party starting at 4pm, featuring a DJ, drinks, and casual networking in the chill-out zones. Who Should Attend This event serves both students exploring tech careers and professionals seeking new opportunities or staying current with industry trends. The mix of exhibitors—from Deutsche Bundesbank to startups—means opportunities exist across experience levels and s

⌖ 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

⌖ Mexico City

Hosted by Rafael Mendiola

AI Builders Meetup brings React and AI developers to Mexico City on 27 October 2026 during Mexico Tech Week and Día de Muertos. This planned meetup offers developers a timely opportunity to connect with Mexico’s technology community, compare what they are building and spend time discussing the intersection of React and artificial intelligence. Organised by Rafael Mendiola, it is designed to bring local builders together with developers travelling from outside Mexico. What to expect The concept is deliberately community-focused: gather strong developers in one place, invite interesting speakers and create space for conversations about React, AI and current projects. While the detailed programme and speaker line-up have not yet been announced, the meetup is expected to centre on: - React development and the evolving tools and practices around it - AI products, applications and developer-led experimentation - What attendees are currently designing, coding and shipping - Connections between Mexican developers and visiting builders - Exposure to one of the world’s most energetic technology communities The event is being timed to coincide with Mexico Tech Week and Día de Muertos, making it particularly relevant for people who want to combine a developer meetup with several days in Mexico City. That wider context gives international attendees an opportunity to experience the local technology scene while the city hosts other activity and one of Mexico’s most significant cultural occasions. Who should attend? The meetup is aimed specifically at React and AI developers. It should appeal to working engineers, independent builders and technically minded product creators who want to exchange ideas with peers and learn what others are building. The published announcement does not specify a required experience level, so prospective attendees should register their interest and follow future updates as the agenda takes shape. Current event status… Register for this event

⌖ 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

⌖ Dublin · UCD Innovation Academy, O'Brien Centre for Science

Hosted by Innovation Academy UCD

UCD students can tackle real campus challenges at this three-hour, in-person hackathon in Dublin on 27 October 2026, working ideas into potential solutions. Make an idea for UCD more tangible The UCD Student Hackathon offers a focused opportunity to explore how campus life could be improved through student-led ideas. Rather than working with an abstract brief, participants will address genuine challenges faced by UCD students and consider practical ways to respond. Taking place from 4pm to 7pm at the UCD Innovation Academy in the O'Brien Centre for Science, this hands-on session is designed around collaboration and active problem-solving. You will have three hours to examine a challenge, exchange perspectives with other students and develop an idea into a potential solution that could make UCD better. What to expect The event uses a compact, in-person hackathon format. Participants can expect to: - Tackle a real challenge affecting students at UCD - Generate and develop ideas within a focused three-hour session - Collaborate with other students and draw on different perspectives - Move beyond discussing a problem towards shaping a possible solution - Meet fellow students interested in improving the university experience You can come on your own or arrive with a team. Everyone is welcome, making the event suitable both for students who already enjoy hackathons and collaborative projects and for those trying this kind of format for the first time. No named speakers or specific technology requirements are listed; the emphasis is on participation, teamwork and making progress on an idea. Venue and practical details The hackathon takes place on Tuesday 27 October 2026, from 4pm to 7pm, in the Shackleton Lounge at UCD Innovation Academy, O'Brien Centre for Science, Belfield, Dublin, D04 N2E5. It is organised by Innovation Academy UCD. Free drinks and snacks will be provided during the event. The combination of a real UCD-focused brief, an open invitation to solo participants and teams, and a short working format makes this a practical way to contribute ideas while connecting with other students. Get tickets for the UCD Student Hackathon