Pitch Slam: Year-End Final

⌖ Dublin · Royal Dublin Society (RDS)

Hosted by Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE)

Ireland's International AI Summit 2026 marks the official launch of European AI Innovation Month, positioning Dublin at the heart of Europe's AI conversation. Hosted by Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment during the country's EU Presidency, this flagship event brings together EU and global leaders, heads of government, CEOs, investors, innovators and academics at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) on 14th October 2026. What Makes This Summit Essential Under the theme Harnessing AI to Revolutionise Europe's Competitiveness, the summit serves as a high-level platform for strategic dialogue on AI's future application across Europe and globally. Ireland's unique position as the EU headquarters for sixteen of the world's top twenty global technology companies and eight leading foundational AI model providers makes it an ideal setting for this critical conversation about Europe's technological sovereignty and competitive future. Programme Structure The full-day summit combines multiple engagement formats designed to explore AI from policy, economic and technological perspectives. Ministerial addresses and keynote speeches from global leaders will establish the strategic context, with confirmed keynote speaker EU Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen addressing technological sovereignty, security and democracy. These high-level addresses are complemented by panel discussions and fireside chats examining: - Competitiveness and innovation in the European AI landscape - Trustworthy AI development and deployment - Digital infrastructure requirements for AI advancement - Investment strategies and funding mechanisms - Skills and talent development for the AI economy Sector Deep Dives and Practical Applications Beyond strategic policy discussion, the summit includes European-focused sector deep dives examining AI opportunities across key areas of economy and society. These sessions highlight practical examples of AI adoption and collaboration, showcasing how businesses, public services and research institutions deploy AI solutions to improve productivity, deliver innovative services and address complex societal challenges. An Innovation Spotlight Exhibition will provide enterprises the opportunity to demonstrate cutting-edge AI applications and solutions, with expressions of

◎ Online

Hosted by The Principal Dev

A virtual conference from The Principal Dev taking place on 14 October 2026, focused on the provocative theme “The $100K Hiding in Your Payroll.” The event is organised by The Principal Dev, which describes itself as a tech leads masterclass. It may be particularly relevant to engineering leaders, tech leads and others responsible for technical teams and payroll budgets. The published listing does not currently include a start time, timezone, speaker line-up, agenda or detailed session topics. Check the event page for the latest programme and booking information before making plans. Register for The $100K Hiding in Your Payroll

⌖ London · Excel London

Hosted by DTX Events

DTX London brings together 10,000+ technology leaders, innovators and decision-makers at Excel London for two days of practical insights into digital and business transformation. Taking place 14-15 October 2026, this flagship expo connects the people, platforms and processes that drive organisation-wide change across AI, cyber security, data analytics, cloud infrastructure, and automation. What to Expect DTX London is designed for teams at every stage of their transformation journey — whether you're optimising your IT stack, strengthening cyber and data strategies, or deploying AI solutions at scale. The event features multiple content stages addressing critical themes including Responsible AI, Holistic Security Foundations, Human-First Resilience, Agile IT, and Purpose-Led Tech Rollouts. Attendees from organisations including Network Rail, NHS, BBC, Booking.com, HSBC, Barclays, and John Lewis come to discover vendor-neutral insights, explore emerging solutions, and connect with peers facing similar challenges. The expo floor showcases hundreds of exhibitors across 12 technology areas, from IT infrastructure and cloud computing to unified communications and customer experience platforms. Content and Speakers The event programme is shaped by a dedicated Advisory Board of senior leaders in technology, operations, data, and cybersecurity. Expect keynote presentations, panel discussions, and case study sessions covering People-Powered Transformation, The Data Advantage, Leading Through Change, Next Generation Talent, Smarter Workspaces, and Elevated Customer Journeys. Co-located with Unified Communication EXPO, DTX London creates a comprehensive environment for exploring the intersection of technology, people, and operations. The agenda balances strategic vision with tactical implementation, ensuring you leave with actionable insights regardless of your role — CIO, CTO, CISO, Head of Data, DevOps Lead, or Transformation Manager. Technology Areas Covered The expo spans IT Infrastructure, Storage & Networks | IT Service Management | Cloud Computing | Cyber Security | Unified Communications & Collaboration | Video and Audio Visual | Data Management & Analytics | AI | Software Development & Engineering | Customer Contact & Experience. Register your interest for DTX London 2026

Sponsors: Network Rail · Comcast Sky Business +20

⌖ 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

⌖ Cardiff · Hays Recruitment Agency - Cardiff

Hosted by Zena's Coaching

Women in tech can explore authentic leadership, career development and new connections in Cardiff on 14 October 2026 at this in-person event. Lead as yourself and strengthen your network Women in Tech: Leading as Yourself brings together women from across South Wales for a focused morning of inspiring speakers, honest discussion and meaningful networking. Celebrating Women in Tech Week 2026, the event creates space to consider how you can lead as yourself, develop your career and build the support network that women do not always find within the technology sector. The programme connects industry, academia and personal development in one room. Rather than limiting “tech” to a single profession, it welcomes women working or interested in software, hardware, AI, cyber security, design, web, data, analytics, IT and the many other disciplines under the technology umbrella. What to expect This is a 2.5-hour, in-person speaker and networking event featuring: - Speaker sessions designed to inspire reflection and career growth - Open, honest discussion about experiences in technology - Dedicated networking time with women from across the South Wales tech community - Opportunities to connect across different disciplines, organisations and career stages The emphasis is on real conversation and useful relationships,not simply exchanging contact details. Attendees can meet peers who understand the challenges of building a career in an industry that does not always recognise or celebrate women’s success. Who should attend? The event is exclusively for women already working in technology or interested in entering the industry. It is designed to be relevant whether you are: - An experienced leader or team lead - Building momentum in a mid-career role - A graduate or student - Working in academic research - Feeling stuck and considering your next step - Exploring a move into tech from another field No single level of experience or technical specialism is required. The breadth of the audience is a central part of the format, helping women at different stages learn from one another and form connections beyond their usual professional circles. Organised by Zena’s Coaching, the event is proudly partnered with WeAreTechWomen and Women in TECH-Connect Wales.… Register for this event

Sponsors: WeAreTechWomen · Women in TECH-Connect Wales

⌖ Madrid · Madrid, Spain

Hosted by PyTorch

PyTorch Meetups Madrid launches its local AI and machine learning community with a free, in-person gathering in Madrid. Taking place on 14 October 2026, from 6:00pm to 8:30pm local time (CEST), the meetup creates a space for attendees to discuss PyTorch, modern deep learning and generative AI while connecting with others working across the field. The community welcomes a broad range of experience levels, including: - Engineers deploying machine learning models in production - Researchers working at the forefront of AI - Founders and builders starting new projects - Beginners taking their first steps in machine learning The emphasis is on sharing real-world experience, resolving technical questions and building collaborations across Madrid’s AI ecosystem. This event marks the official launch of the local PyTorch meeting point, with future community updates available through the PyTorch Madrid website. The event is free and will be held at Paseo de la Castellana, 259C, Madrid 28046, Spain. No detailed agenda or speaker line-up has been published yet. Register for the PyTorch Madrid meetup