Thinking through Tech: How can VCSEs use AI safely & effectively?

⌖ Norwich · Carrow House

Hosted by FUSE Network CIC

A practical three-hour AI leadership workshop for social enterprise and charity leaders at Carrow House, Norwich, on 5 November 2026. This discussion-led session examines where AI can genuinely help an organisation, what should remain human and how leaders can introduce proportionate safeguards. It is a leadership workshop rather than a technical demo: expect no jargon, product pitches or requirement to understand how the technology works. What you’ll work through Facilitator Simon Wingfield, founder of Wingfield Consultants, will help participants: - Apply the PROVEN framework, beginning with the problem rather than the tool - Identify appropriate uses for AI, including structure, first drafts, checking and repetitive work - Protect human voice, judgement, relationships and organisational values - Assess low-, medium- and high-stakes tasks using a three-tier risk model - Test tools and tasks against trust, accuracy, data and value - Examine data exposure, environmental impact, workforce confidence and equity - Draft a practical one-page AI policy and commit to one action within five working days The workshop is designed for leaders, directors, trustees and managers in social enterprises, charities and community organisations. It suits both existing AI users and those actively resisting adoption; no technical knowledge is needed. Much of the value comes from discussion with other participants, so attendees should expect to talk, question assumptions and produce something concrete. Practical details The session runs 10am–1pm on Thursday 5 November 2026 at Carrow House, 301 King Street, Norwich. Meet at main reception ten minutes before the start. Free on-site parking, disabled bays, tea, coffee and light snacks are available. For information about step-free access, contact hello@norwichunityhub.co.uk. The event is organised by FUSE Network CIC and is free to attend, with voluntary donation tickets available. Simon is delivering it pro bono through his firm’s 80/20 community-support model. Get tickets for the Leading with AI Workshop

⌖ Norwich · Norwich Cathedral

Hosted by MensCraft

Explore how young people can navigate misinformation, social media, algorithms and AI at Norwich Cathedral on Thursday 12 November 2026. Organised by MensCraft, Who Do We Trust? is an in-person public discussion about growing up in an information environment shaped by influencers, artificial intelligence and rapidly spreading misinformation. The panel will consider how online content can affect identity, belonging, relationships, behaviour, mental health and safety, as well as the opportunities digital spaces create for connection, community and access to information. Speakers - Chris Morris, Chief Executive of Full Fact, the UK’s largest independent fact-checking organisation. A former senior BBC foreign correspondent, he later developed and led BBC Reality Check. - Nicky Fairweather, Principal Deputy Head at Norwich School, where she leads work covering safeguarding culture, belonging and inclusion, pupil voice and critical thinking. - Cody Sollows, who leads MensCraft’s work with adolescent boys and young men. The live discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A, bringing together perspectives from journalism and fact-checking, education and safeguarding, and frontline youth work. Its central question is practical: how can young people assess which information, spaces and voices deserve trust, and recognise attempts to mislead, manipulate or exploit them? The event takes place at Norwich Cathedral, 65 The Close, Norwich, NR1 4DH. Tickets are non-refundable, and all proceeds support MensCraft’s charitable work with men and boys. Get tickets for Who Do We Trust?

⌖ Norwich · Spaces Digital Hub

Hosted by Norfolk Power Platform User Group

An in-person Microsoft Power Platform meetup in Norwich, bringing beginners and experienced professionals together for learning and networking. An evening for the Power Platform community The Norfolk Power Platform User Group returns on Thursday 3 December 2026 for an evening dedicated to Microsoft Power Platform. Running from 6:00pm to 8:30pm GMT, the meetup offers a welcoming place to learn, exchange ideas and connect with other people using, or beginning to explore, Microsoft’s low-code and AI tools. The event will cover “all things Power Platform”, with its scope including: - Power Apps - Power Automate - Copilot Studio - Power BI Specific speakers and the detailed agenda are still to be confirmed, so check the event page for updates closer to the date. The emphasis is on community learning and conversation rather than requiring a particular level of technical experience. Who should attend? Everyone is welcome, whether you are opening Power Apps for the first time or already work professionally across the Power Platform ecosystem. It should be particularly relevant to people interested in low-code app development, workflow automation, AI-powered experiences and business intelligence, as well as those who want to meet other Microsoft technology users in the Norfolk area. For newcomers, the group provides an opportunity to become more familiar with the Power Platform community and hear how others approach the technology. More experienced practitioners can use the evening to compare perspectives, make local connections and take part in discussions with peers. Attendees can also use Meetup’s event chat to connect with one another before the session begins. Venue and format This is an in-person evening meetup at Spaces Digital Hub, Townshend House, 30 Crown Road, Norwich NR1 3DT. It is hosted by Duncan B. and four other organisers from the Norfolk Power Platform User Group. Alongside the learning and networking, pizza and refreshments will be provided, creating an informal setting in which attendees can continue conversations and get to know the local community. Places and future agenda updates are available through Meetup. Register for the Norfolk Power Platform User Group event.

⌖ 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

⌖ Location TBC

Hosted by Sijthoff Accountants Academy

Finance professionals face mounting pressure to innovate, optimize processes, and deliver insights faster than ever. This hands-on workshop shows you how to harness the power of no-code and low-code solutions to transform your organization's data management and automation capabilities—without needing an IT background. Built around the Microsoft Power Platform (including PowerBI, PowerApps, Power Automate, and Dataverse, enhanced by Copilot), this intensive one-day session equips you with practical skills to drive process optimization and support the emerging role of "Citizen Developers" in your organization. You'll discover how finance professionals can take a proactive, strategic role in digital transformation by championing accessible, scalable automation tools. What You'll Learn The workshop covers three core areas: Building Low-Barrier Applications - Optimize and automate internal processes using no-code/low-code platforms - Understand the shift from traditional IT development to Citizen Development models - See real-world examples of process improvements in finance organizations Microsoft Power Platform in Practice - Hands-on introduction to PowerBI for data visualization - PowerApps for custom business applications - Power Automate for workflow automation - Dataverse for centralized data management - Copilot integration for AI-enhanced productivity The Finance Professional as Change Agent - Strengthen internal controls through automated processes - Improve data quality and information provision - Lead innovation initiatives within your organization - Bridge the gap between business needs and technical solutions You'll work through practical examples and case studies that demonstrate how organizations across private, public, and non-profit sectors are leveraging these tools to achieve faster, more efficient, data-driven operations. Who Should Attend This workshop is designed for accountants in business, controllers, internal auditors, government accountants, and other professionals involved in decision-making, information management, data quality assurance, management reporting, or process automation. Whether you work in a corporate environment, SME, or non-profit organization, the Microsoft Power Platform principles apply across sectors and organizational sizes. Your Takeaways By the end of this practical session, you'll und

Sponsors: Alex van Groningen