IST Technical Conference 2026

◎ Online

Hosted by Dot NET Liverpool

.NET Liverpool’s annual community lightning-talk evening brings rapid-fire .NET sessions, open speaker slots and hybrid access to Liverpool on 27 October. Hosted by Dot NET Liverpool, this fast-moving meetup gives local developers and community members a platform to share useful ideas, technical discoveries and personal experiences from across the .NET ecosystem. It is also an opportunity to support first-time public speakers in a welcoming community setting. Talks and format Each speaker receives 15 minutes to present, followed by a five-minute window for audience questions and equipment preparation. The concise format means attendees can hear several different perspectives in one evening without sitting through long presentations. The announced programme opens with Simon Jackson presenting “The 3.7 Billion Token Diet”, a session focused on LLM token consumption. Several further slots remain available, so the final line-up will be shaped by members of the community who volunteer to speak. This makes the evening particularly relevant to: - .NET, C and software development practitioners - Developers interested in AI and large language models - Community members who enjoy discovering new technical ideas - New or aspiring speakers looking for a short, supportive first presentation The current running order begins with introductions at 18:30 and the first talk at 18:40. Sessions continue in 20-minute blocks, with a ten-minute break before the second half of the programme. Attend in Liverpool or online This is a hybrid event at The Acorn Group, Atlantic Pavilion, Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AE. Doors open at 18:00, pizza is served at 18:30, talks begin at 18:40 and the meetup closes at approximately 21:00. Food includes vegan options; attendees with questions about catering or evacuation assistance can contact the organisers through Meetup before the event.… Register for this event

Sponsors: Hyperloop Recruitment · JetBtrains +1

⌖ Liverpool · The Tavern Co Social

Hosted by Lifestyle magazine

Explore how AI is reshaping business visibility, marketing, PR and growth at this informal networking evening in Liverpool on 12 November 2026. Lead with impact in an AI-driven market AI is changing how customers discover, evaluate and trust businesses. From ChatGPT and Google to social media, search and shifting customer behaviour, this event offers a timely opportunity to consider what those changes mean for your organisation, and how you can remain visible as the business landscape evolves. Hosted by Lifestyle magazine, Lead with AI Impact brings together business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals for an accessible discussion covering both the opportunities and challenges created by AI. Rather than focusing solely on the technology, the conversation will examine its practical implications for communication, promotion and sustainable business growth. Topics explored during the evening will include: - How AI is influencing search, social media and customer behaviour - What changing discovery habits mean for business visibility - The impact of AI on marketing and PR - Opportunities and challenges for businesses adapting to this shift - Practical steps organisations can take to stay visible and competitive Conversation, connections and tapas This is an informal, in-person networking event, designed to make space for discussion as well as relationship-building. Alongside the AI-focused conversation, attendees will have plenty of time to meet new people, exchange ideas and develop connections that could lead to future business opportunities. The event is particularly relevant to founders, business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals who want to understand AI’s commercial impact without needing a technical background. It should also appeal to anyone responsible for marketing, communications, PR or growth who is thinking about how audiences will find and trust brands in an increasingly AI-led environment. A selection of tapas dishes from The Tavern Co Social is included in the ticket price, giving the evening a relaxed and sociable format. View the event and registration details

⌖ Location TBC · National Space Centre, Leicester, UK

Hosted by Festival of AI

Festival of AI 2026 takes place on October 16th at the iconic National Space Centre in Leicester, offering a refreshingly practical approach to artificial intelligence that cuts through the hype and delivers real value. Unlike typical AI conferences that recycle basic ChatGPT introductions, this event is built for action. The day begins with a friendly Introduction to AI to ensure everyone starts from the same foundation, then rapidly transitions into real-world strategy, tactical walkthroughs, and plug-and-play tools you can implement in your business immediately. What Makes This Event Different Every session focuses on actionable insights you can use the next day. You'll explore hands-on workshops with popular AI platforms, discover real-world case studies from businesses successfully using AI, and learn implementation strategies that actually save time and money. Whether you're testing AI tools like Claude and Gemini for the first time or already integrating automation workflows with platforms like Make and n8n, you'll find practical value tailored to your experience level. Who Should Attend This event welcomes everyone from complete beginners to experienced practitioners. The inclusive community approach means solopreneurs, startup founders, enterprise teams, and AI enthusiasts all find relevant takeaways. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by AI jargon or frustrated by theoretical discussions that don't translate to real work, Festival of AI 2026 is designed specifically for you. What You'll Take Away - Implementation frameworks for AI tools that genuinely improve productivity - Real business case studies showing measurable ROI from AI adoption - Hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI platforms and automation tools - Networking connections with fellow AI practitioners and innovators - Strategic approaches for integrating AI into existing workflows - Forward-looking insights on AI trends that matter for your business The National Space Centre provides an inspiring backdrop for a day focused on innovation and practical learning. From strategy sessions to tactical workshops, every element is designed to ensure you leave thinking: "That was the most useful day I've ever spent on AI." Register for Festival of AI 2026

⌖ Amsterdam · RAI Amsterdam

Build AI applications and agents at this free hybrid hackathon, running online from 16–19 October 2026 and on-site in Amsterdam on 19–20 October. The TechEx Amsterdam Hackathon is the official hackathon of AI & Big Data Expo Europe, organised by TechEx Events and lablab.ai. It gives participants the opportunity to create real AI projects in the context of one of Europe’s largest enterprise technology events, and, if approved for the in-person experience, present their work live at the expo. Build across enterprise technology Rather than limiting participants to a single use case, the hackathon invites projects spanning a broad range of connected technologies. You can develop AI applications and agents focused on: - Artificial intelligence and big data - Cybersecurity - Cloud technology and data infrastructure - Internet of Things and edge computing - Automation - Digital transformation This makes the event particularly relevant to AI builders, agent developers, technologists and product creators interested in applying emerging technology to practical enterprise challenges. The page does not specify a required experience level, but the emphasis is firmly on building and showcasing a working project. A two-stage hybrid format The programme combines a remote build period with an optional on-site experience: - 16–19 October: build your project online - 19–20 October: approved participants attend the on-site portion at RAI Amsterdam The physical venue is RAI Amsterdam, Europaplein 24, 1078 GZ Amsterdam, placing selected teams directly inside the AI & Big Data Expo Europe environment. The live showcase is a distinctive opportunity to put your AI application or agent in front of people attending a major enterprise technology expo. On-site participation is subject to approval. Participants should also plan their logistics carefully: travel and accommodation are not covered by the organisers. Those taking part remotely can use the online build window, while the lablab.ai Discord community provides access to mentors and the event team. Register for the TechEx Amsterdam Hackathon

⌖ Southampton · Eagle Labs

Hosted by University of Southampton AI Society

SotonShip 26 is a free, three-day applied-AI hackathon bringing 200+ builders to Eagle Labs in Southampton from 16–18 October 2026. Presented by the University of Southampton AI Society, the event has a direct mission: “Stop learning AI. Start shipping it.” Rather than focusing on AI theory alone, SotonShip creates a dedicated environment for turning ideas into tangible projects over one intensive weekend. What to expect Running across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the hackathon gives attendees three days to concentrate on building with AI. The event’s published “Manifest” sets out a three-day schedule, while its wider programme is organised around a mission and five pillars. Full details of those pillars and the timed agenda will be available through the event website. The format is aimed at people who want to move from exploring AI concepts to applying them. It should be particularly relevant to: - Students interested in practical AI development - Developers, makers and technical builders - Founders or aspiring founders testing AI product ideas - Creatives and experimenters looking for a focused shipping deadline - Anyone motivated by hands-on building rather than passive learning The organiser does not specify a required experience level on the published page. What unites attendees is the intention to make and ship: the event is explicitly framed as an applied-AI hackathon, not a conventional lecture series or classroom course. A builder-first hackathon in Southampton SotonShip 26 takes place at Eagle Labs in Southampton. With more than 200 builders expected, it offers a substantial in-person setting for focused project work alongside others who are actively experimenting with AI. The event also has a distinctive retro game and nautical identity. Its website presents the programme as a voyage, with a “Mission”, “Five Pillars”, “Manifest”, “Backers”, “Logbook” and “Boarding Pass”. The playful “insert coin” and “claim your seat” framing reinforces the core message: this is an event designed around participation and action. A logbook from the previous edition, plus dedicated sections for sponsors and partners, can also be explored through the event site. Entry is listed as free, but attendees still need to claim a place. Claim your boarding pass for SotonShip 26

⌖ Manchester

Green Circles Manchester is an in-person AI hackathon on 16 October 2026, connecting AI builders with industry experts in Manchester. Build and connect around AI This one-day event offers AI builders an opportunity to step away from purely online discussion and meet people working with artificial intelligence in a practical, build-focused setting. The central proposition is simple: bring builders and industry expertise together in Manchester, creating space for technical exploration, new connections and conversations grounded in real-world experience. Green Circles Manchester is supported by Barclays Eagle Labs and Silicon Mingle. That combination of an AI builder community and industry backing makes the event particularly relevant to people who want to expand their network while spending time in an environment centred on creating with AI. Who it is for The hackathon is aimed at AI builders and people interested in connecting with industry experts. It may be especially relevant to: - Developers, makers and technical founders building AI products - Entrepreneurs exploring AI-enabled business ideas - Product professionals interested in applied artificial intelligence - Members of the Manchester technology community looking for builder-focused connections - People who value learning through practical events rather than conventional conference presentations The listing does not specify a required experience level, technical stack or set of participating tools. It also does not publish named speakers, challenge briefs, team requirements or judging criteria. Prospective attendees who need those details should check the registration information before booking. Event format and details Green Circles Manchester is listed as an in-person hackathon, taking place in Manchester, Great Britain, on Friday 16 October 2026. Unlike a standard talk-only meetup, its hackathon positioning signals a setting focused on builders and active participation, alongside access to industry perspectives. The published event description specifically highlights the connection between AI builders and experts as its defining feature.… Register for this event

Sponsors: Barclays Eagle Labs · Silicon Mingle