DRAFT Festival of AI 2026 - AI Conference

⌖ Leicester · SIRM College

Hosted by SIRM College

Explore how AI is reshaping UK SMEs at SIRM College’s free hybrid research conference in Leicester on 6 November 2026, connecting academia and industry. Hosted at SIRM College in Leicester, “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of SMEs in the UK Economy: Innovation, Opportunities and Challenges” will examine the practical, strategic and economic implications of AI adoption. Attendees can take part in person or online, making the conference accessible to contributors and guests beyond the city. What the conference will explore The programme is built around original research, applied insight and case studies concerning AI and small and medium-sized enterprises. Contributions are invited across topics including: - AI-enabled SME innovation, strategy and competitiveness - Barriers to adoption, skills gaps and technological readiness - Productivity, economic growth and the wider UK economy - Workforce development and the future of work - AI governance, ethics and regulation - Real-world AI adoption case studies from SMEs - AI in academia and business education - SME digital transformation and public policy - Industry–academia collaboration and knowledge exchange This range gives participants an opportunity to consider AI from multiple perspectives, from implementation and organisational readiness to regulation, education and long-term economic impact. The focus on SMEs makes the event particularly relevant to the opportunities and constraints facing smaller businesses, rather than treating AI only through the lens of large enterprises. Who should attend? The conference is intended for researchers, academics, postgraduate students, practitioners, entrepreneurs and industry professionals. Students and guests are also welcome. It should suit anyone researching AI and business, supporting SME digital transformation, developing organisational strategy or seeking stronger links between academic research and industry practice. View the event and registration details

⌖ 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

⌖ 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

⌖ Ho Chi Minh City · Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel

Hosted by rockbird media

retailX Ho Chi Minh 2026 is an all-day conference on AI, omnichannel retail and digital commerce, taking place on 27 October in Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam’s retail and e-commerce market is evolving rapidly as digital adoption, changing consumer behaviour and investment in modern retail technology reshape how brands attract and serve customers. Presented by rockbird media, retailX Ho Chi Minh 2026 will bring senior retail leaders, e-commerce professionals, brand executives and technology innovators together to examine the strategies driving this transformation. The in-person conference runs from 8:00am to 4:00pm on Tuesday 27 October 2026 at the Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel, 88 Đường Đồng Khởi, Ho Chi Minh City. What to expect Across keynote presentations, executive panels, interactive roundtables and real-world case studies, attendees will explore how retailers can use technology and customer insight to build sustainable growth. The programme focuses on: - AI-powered retail and emerging commerce technologies - Omnichannel and digital commerce strategies - Digital transformation within retail organisations - Customer engagement and experience innovation - Data-driven approaches to the changing consumer landscape - Emerging retail and consumer trends in Vietnam The emphasis is on practical insight rather than theory. Attendees can learn directly from leading Vietnamese retail and e-commerce executives, hear how organisations are responding to market change and examine examples drawn from real business activity. Business connections Networking is a central part of the eight-hour format. Alongside the conference sessions, retailX offers curated networking opportunities and one-to-one business meetings. These are designed to help attendees meet senior retail and technology decision-makers, connect with relevant solution providers and discuss potential commercial partnerships in a focused setting. View the event and registration details