The Digital Defence Summit – Cybersecurity, AI & Emerging Threats

⌖ Leeds · Elland Road Stadium

Hosted by Cyber News Group

A one-day cyber security conference at Elland Road Stadium in Leeds on 6 October 2026, helping CISOs and IT leaders confront AI scams, deepfakes and ransomware. The Future of Cyber Security brings its established UK conference series to Leeds for the first time in 2026. Running from 9:00am to 5:00pm, this physical event offers a full day of expert insight, practical discussion and professional networking for people responsible for protecting organisations against a rapidly changing threat landscape. Speakers and programme Headline speakers include broadcaster and BBC Sport presenter Gabby Logan and Joe Tidy, BBC Cyber Correspondent at BBC News. They will be joined by a growing line-up of industry voices working at the frontline of cyber security, with further speakers still to be announced. Across keynotes and practical sessions, the programme will examine major risks currently facing businesses and technology teams, including: - AI-powered scams and the changing role of artificial intelligence in cyber threats - Deepfake impersonation and its implications for organisational security - Supply chain attacks and exposure through connected partners - Ransomware and the continuing operational risk it creates - Practical steps organisations can take in response to evolving threats Rather than focusing only on high-level predictions, the conference is designed to give delegates a clearer understanding of the current cyber landscape alongside useful actions they can take back to their own organisations. Who should attend? The event is aimed at CISOs, senior cyber security leaders, IT professionals and business decision-makers from across the North and beyond. It will be particularly relevant to attendees who influence security strategy, manage technology risk, oversee organisational resilience or need to understand how emerging threats could affect their teams and operations. The combination of expert talks, applied sessions and peer-to-peer networking creates opportunities to compare approaches with fellow professionals, learn from experienced practitioners and build new connections across the regional cyber community.… Register for this event

Sponsors: CGI

◎ Online

Hosted by JohnS

AIoT Hub Leeds is an online AI and IoT community meetup on 6 October 2026, bringing together people interested in connected technology and software. About the meetup Hosted by JohnS, this October edition forms part of the regular programme from AioT Hub – Leeds, a community formerly known as IoT North. The meetup provides a recurring space for talks and discussions at the intersection of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and software development. The session takes place online at 6:00pm on Tuesday 6 October 2026. Access details will be visible to confirmed attendees through Meetup, making it possible to participate from Leeds or further afield without travelling to a venue. This event sits within a series scheduled for the first Tuesday of every month, with recurring dates currently listed through 30 June 2028. That regular cadence makes it useful both for newcomers looking for an entry point into the local AI and IoT community and for returning members who want to follow new developments over time. What to expect The speaker, talk title, abstract and biography for this edition are still to be announced. The listing currently identifies the wider themes as: - Artificial intelligence and connected technology - Internet of Things (IoT) - Software development - Community talks and discussion Because the detailed agenda has not yet been published, no specific tools, technical demonstrations or prerequisites have been confirmed. The page also does not specify an experience level, so prospective attendees should check the Meetup listing as the date approaches for updates on the speaker, subject and expected technical depth. The online format offers a straightforward way to hear from the AIoT community, explore ideas spanning intelligent software and connected devices, and take part in the discussion around the announced topic. If these areas overlap with your work, studies, projects or general interests, this monthly meetup offers an opportunity to keep in touch with the AioT Hub – Leeds programme. Event details may change as the currently unannounced session is finalised. RSVP to receive the attendee link and see future agenda updates: register for AIoT Hub – TBA.

⌖ Leeds · Platform

Hosted by The Curve

A closed-door Leeds discussion for senior leaders who need to prove whether AI is delivering commercial ROI, not simply generating more activity. Taking place at Platform in Leeds on 14 October 2026, from 8:30am to 10:30am, this focused breakfast session examines how organisations can move from tracking AI output to measuring genuine business impact. It is organised by The Curve and Hopton Analytics. From AI activity to defensible returns Many businesses can identify what AI is doing but struggle to quantify what it returns. Time may be saved without appearing in commercial reporting; licences and pilots can continue without clear ownership of the return; and apparent efficiency gains may be absorbed into costs rather than converted into greater capacity or fee growth. This session is a direct sequel to The Curve’s earlier AI Reality Check discussions in Sheffield and Leeds. It keeps the same reality-first approach while concentrating on one sharper question: is your AI paying for itself, or just staying busy? The conversation will explore: - Where AI is producing a number that can be defended in a board meeting, and where it remains activity without measurable impact - The “efficiency tax” created when saved time is not deliberately converted into value - How leaders can approach build-versus-buy decisions - The commercial risks of turning quickly built internal tools into products - Whether pricing for outcomes rather than hours is a credible option - The cost of investing now compared with the potential cost of waiting Who should attend? The event is designed for directors, C-suite executives and Heads of roles across all industries. It will be particularly relevant to senior leaders and commercial decision-makers responsible for AI investment, operational efficiency, pricing, capacity or technology strategy. The discussion will be led by Paul Ridgway, CEO of The Curve, and Simon Devine, Managing Director of Hopton Analytics. An open, confidential format… Register for this event

Sponsors: CGI

⌖ Leeds · Platform

Hosted by Software Crafters Leeds

Leeds AI Coding Dojo is a hands-on meetup exploring agentic development, AI-assisted coding and software craftsmanship in Leeds. Taking place on Wednesday 14 October 2026, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm BST, this practical session examines how rapidly improving AI tools are changing software engineering. As developers shift from writing every line themselves to reviewing AI-generated work, and accepting responsibility for the result, the event asks an important question: how can teams benefit from agentic development without losing control of quality? What to expect The evening combines discussion with a practical coding exercise. Participants will work through a simple kata using AI tooling, examining both the opportunities and the new or resurfacing problems created by wider AI adoption. The session will explore: - How agentic development is changing the software engineer’s role - The challenges involved in reviewing and taking responsibility for AI-generated code - How established software craftsmanship principles can mitigate those risks - Ways to remain in control of an AI-assisted development process - How to embrace useful automation without creating an unmaintainable mess Rather than focusing only on what AI can generate, the dojo puts engineering judgement, accountability and code quality at the centre of the conversation. The hands-on kata provides a shared problem around which attendees can test ideas, compare approaches and consider how craftsmanship practices apply when an AI agent participates in development. Who it’s for This meetup is relevant to software developers, engineers, architects and other practitioners interested in AI-assisted coding, software quality and modern development workflows. It should be particularly useful for anyone already experimenting with agentic tools, or wondering how their responsibilities change when AI produces more of the implementation. The kata is described as simple, making the format approachable, while the broader questions about review, control and craftsmanship offer plenty for experienced practitioners to discuss. Bring a laptop if you would like to code along. Food and drinks will be provided, including vegetarian and vegan options. View the event and registration details

⌖ Leeds · NatWest Accelerator

Hosted by Fleek Marketing

A free, hands-on AI supplier discovery workshop in Leeds for founders and business owners who want to win more deals. Buyers increasingly ask tools such as ChatGPT, Claude and Perplexity to recommend suppliers before visiting Google or contacting a business. If your company is missing from those AI-generated shortlists, you may never know that an opportunity existed. This practical session will help you discover what these tools currently say about your business, where their answers come from and what you can do to improve your visibility. Work on your own business This is a hands-on workshop rather than a conventional talk. During the 90-minute session, attendees will run their own businesses through AI tools live, record the results and compare them with the responses generated for competitors. You will then work through practical fixes designed to make your business easier for AI-powered search and recommendation tools to understand and surface. Led by Jonny Ross, Founder and Digital Strategy Lead at Fleek Marketing, the workshop connects AI discovery with the sales and marketing knowledge you already have. You will turn questions repeatedly asked during sales calls into useful content that can help prospective customers find and evaluate your company. You will leave with: - A written record of how AI tools present your business and its competitors - Five improvements you can make within a fortnight - Sales-call questions transformed into content ideas that support discovery - An AI research assistant, built during the workshop, to prepare for your next prospect meeting Who should attend? The session is designed for founders, owner-managers and anyone responsible for winning new business. No technical background is required. Bring a laptop or phone, as you will work directly on your own business throughout the event. This Catalyst Event is run with the Leeds NatWest Accelerator, whose series combines practical tools, expert insight and a supportive entrepreneurial community. It is relevant whether you are exploring the Accelerator, preparing to scale or simply curious about how AI is changing supplier selection.… Register for this event

Sponsors: NatWest Accelerator

⌖ Leeds · Platform

Hosted by The Curve

An executive breakfast roundtable in Leeds on 22 October 2026, exploring how data friction slows decisions, weakens forecasts and limits AI outcomes. Hosted by The Curve and Hopton Analytics, this focused, closed-door session will help senior leaders identify the hidden “data friction tax” affecting otherwise well-run organisations. It takes place from 8:30am to 10:30am at Platform, New Station Street, Leeds, with breakfast provided. What the roundtable will explore Leadership teams want faster decisions, dependable forecasts and AI that produces meaningful results. Yet many businesses still contend with reports that do not match, growth plans built on numbers people hesitate to trust, and decisions delayed by manual reconciliation. New systems may have been introduced, but the underlying problems often remain. Rather than concentrating on particular tools or presenting a technical sales pitch, the discussion will examine: - Where data friction is already restricting growth and creating missed opportunities - Why systems themselves are rarely the sole cause of the problem - How multiple versions of the truth and undocumented workarounds undermine confidence - What effective data practices look like in day-to-day business operations - Where AI can genuinely contribute, and where it is being asked to solve problems it cannot fix - The business outcomes that become possible when decision confidence improves The aim is practical: attendees should leave with a clearer understanding of their organisation’s current position, the cost of unresolved friction and what to address first to improve decision-making, forecasting and AI performance. Speakers and format The conversation will feature James Ridgway, Founder and CTO of The Curve. James brings more than ten years of development and consulting experience, including leadership of major software initiatives across multiple industries. View the event and registration details

Sponsors: CGI