PyData Southampton's 22nd meetup brings together data scientists, machine learning engineers, and Python enthusiasts for an evening of cutting-edge talks on AI infrastructure and astronomical data processing. Whether you're building production AI systems or wrangling terabytes of telescope imagery, this March meetup offers practical insights and real-world applications.
Featured Talks
Applications with Azure AI Foundry will be presented by Shubhangi Goyal, covering how Azure's AI infrastructure helps developers operationalize large language models. You'll learn how to integrate ChatGPT and custom models into production applications, moving from experimentation to deployment with enterprise-grade security. The session explores prompt engineering, context management, model evaluation, and the journey from copilots to domain-specific AI agents. Key components covered include project orchestration, model catalogs, and connections between Azure AI Foundry and Azure Machine Learning.
Astronomers have too many images. What they really want is time series tackles a fascinating data reduction challenge. Zac Irving will explain how astronomers transform telescope images into time series measurements to study celestial objects over time. The talk examines existing open-source tools and the gaps that force telescope operators to build custom pipelines, exploring potential solutions for more flexible, cross-telescope data processing workflows.
Lightning Talks
The evening includes quick-fire presentations on diverse topics, including AI for Sign Language by Paul McGroary, demonstrating how machine learning can bridge communication barriers.
What to Expect
This in-person meetup runs from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Carnival House, with doors opening at 6:30 PM for networking. Carnival UK generously provides pizza and drinks for all attendees. The event follows the NumFOCUS Code of Conduct, fostering an inclusive environment for the Python data community. Post-event networking continues at a nearby pub for those wanting to extend discussions.
PyData Southampton is part of the global PyData network, supported by NumFOCUS and sponsored by Carnival UK and JetBrains. The group welcomes speakers — if you have expertise to share, submit your talk proposal for
Explore how AI could reshape the economy and society at this philosophy discussion in Southampton on 8 November 2026. Hosted by Southampton Philosophy Forum, The AI Economy asks where the rapid development of artificial intelligence may take us, and whether society has any meaningful choice about the direction of travel. Could AI create a Star Trek-style future of abundant resources, or might it deepen inequality and leave people subordinate to powerful technology owners? The evening combines a presentation with open discussion, offering space for meaningful conversation about AI, economics and society. It is suited to people interested in philosophy, social issues and the wider consequences of emerging technology. No detailed agenda or additional speakers have been announced. Event details: - Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026 - Time: 7:00–9:00pm GMT - Venue: Raven and Bine, 16 Carlton Place, Southampton SO15 2DY - Host: Chris Attendees can also access the Meetup event chat to connect with others before the session begins. Register for The AI Economy on Meetup
Explore how AI is reshaping cyber security at this practical Hampshire AI meetup in Southampton, covering emerging threats, stronger defences and secure AI adoption. Taking place at Axis Conference Centre on Tuesday 17 November 2026, from 6pm to 8pm, the event examines both sides of the changing security landscape: how AI can support cyber attacks, and how organisations can use it to improve detection, protection and resilience. The discussion will also address protecting business data and systems as companies embed AI into their operations. The evening’s speaker is Marc Woosnam, Chief Technology Officer at Centerprise International. Marc brings nearly 30 years of experience spanning infrastructure, cloud, networking, cyber security, automation and AI. His work includes technology strategy and solutions for major defence, national security and public-sector programmes, giving the session a practical perspective on turning new ideas into governed, supportable services and products. The final title of his talk is still to be announced. Format - 5:45pm: Doors open - 6pm: Arrival and networking - 6:25pm: Welcome and introduction - 6:30pm: Marc Woosnam’s talk - Questions, experience-sharing and community networking This in-person, two-hour meetup is suited to business and technology leaders, cyber security practitioners, AI adopters and anyone interested in managing AI-related risk. Free parking is available at the venue, located at 3 Venture Road, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 7NP. The event is organised by Hampshire AI. Register for your place.
Explore how AI is reshaping product briefs and software delivery at Developer South Coast in Southampton on 19 November 2026. Hosted by Developer South Coast, this end-of-year meetup features two main talks and a bonus lightning talk: - Sorry About the PRDs: How AI Is Forcing Product Managers to Write Better Briefs, Ollie Dawes explains how his team replaced traditional product requirements documents and repeated design hand-offs with detailed AI briefs, shared prototypes, and stronger developer-led review and QA. Ollie is Senior Product Manager at Heidrick & Struggles, where he leads AI product development and strategy. - Scaling Delivery When AI Writes the Code, Rado Mroz shares lessons from scaling AI-assisted development amid a fourfold increase in developer numbers and doubled median pull-request sizes. Rado leads the Core engineering group at Nourish, setting technical direction for a platform shared by more than 10 teams. - How We Did DIY SOS (BBC) in Southampton, Graig Gallem offers an insider’s view of the IoT makeover he helped deliver for a recent episode of DIY SOS. The meetup is relevant to product managers, developers, designers, and engineering leaders interested in AI-enabled collaboration and delivery. No experience requirements are stated. When: Thursday 19 November 2026, 7:00–9:00pm GMT Where: United Reformed Church, Wessex Synod Office, 120 Alma Road, Southampton SO14 6UW Register for the event on Meetup.
A hybrid University of Southampton workshop examining how AI and automation are reshaping work, worker wellbeing and the meaning of working life. Work, automation and ethics Taking place on Tuesday 15 December 2026 at the University of Southampton’s Avenue Campus, with an option to attend online, this workshop approaches workplace AI as an ethical and social challenge, not simply a technical development. It will consider what happens as AI takes over tasks, optimises workflows and changes the relationship between workers, employers and the wider economy. The programme centres on difficult questions raised by increasingly automated workplaces: - Are there distinctive harms or “bads” associated with automated working environments? - How should people live in a world where AI can replace most, or potentially all, tasks? - Could AI make work less meaningful? - What do changing workflows mean for workers and the economy? Rather than focusing on a particular software platform, the workshop creates space for philosophical examination of automation’s consequences. It should be particularly relevant to researchers, students and practitioners interested in the ethics of AI, the philosophy of work, technology’s impact on workers, and the future organisation of economic life. No specific experience level or technical prerequisite is listed. Speakers and format The workshop brings together speakers from universities in the UK, Ireland and Germany: - Markus Rüther, University of Juelich / University of Bonn - Charlotte Unruh, University of Southampton - John Danaher, University of Galway - Rosalie Waelen, Goethe University Frankfurt The hybrid format allows participants to attend either in person in Southampton or remotely. Organised by Charlotte Franziska Unruh, the event offers an academically grounded setting in which to examine not only what workplace AI can do, but how its use may affect human agency, meaningful activity and working conditions. Registration Registration is required. Attendees must email the organiser by Tuesday 8 December 2026, clearly stating whether they plan to participate in person or online. The event listing gives a registration deadline of 9:00am; RSVPing through PhilEvents alone is not sufficient to register. View the event and registration details
Crescendo Live San Francisco 2026 brings together customer experience leaders for a full-day exploration of AI's real-world impact on CX operations. Taking place on May 21, 2026 (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM PST) in the heart of San Francisco's tech ecosystem, this operator-focused conference cuts through AI hype to showcase what's actually working in customer support, automation, and team design. What You'll Gain This isn't another vendor-heavy conference. Crescendo Live delivers practical insights from experienced CX operators who are successfully deploying AI in production environments. You'll get clear on the new CX standard — understanding how speed, consistency, and trust have fundamentally reset customer expectations and where many organizations quietly fall short. The event tackles critical questions facing CX leaders today: how to move AI from experimentation to execution without breaking customer trust, how to pair automation with human expertise for faster decisions, and how to build smarter teams that leverage AI while maintaining the judgment and empathy that define exceptional service. Speaker Lineup Hear from leaders at the forefront of AI-powered customer experience, including James Green (Chief Customer Officer, Squire), Hemant Taneja (CEO, General Catalyst), Morgan Donaldson (Chief Commercial Officer, CNTRL+), Jaqueline Andre (Sr. Director CS Production & Support, BentoBox), Chris Jocson (Chief Operating Officer, Good Eggs), and executives from TaskRabbit, POLYWOOD, and Crescendo itself. These practitioners share real stories, honest challenges, and proven strategies from teams facing the same operational pressures you navigate daily. Event Format The day blends main stage content with interactive breakout sessions and workshops. Morning sessions (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM) dive into foundational shifts in CX, followed by lunch and networking. Afternoon breakouts (1:30 – 2:30 PM) offer hands-on exploration of specific topics, with additional main stage content (2:30 – 4:30 PM) before an awards ceremony and cocktail reception that extends networking into the evening. Who Should Attend This conference is designed for CX leaders, customer support directors, automation strategists, and anyone responsible for delivering scalable, high-quality customer experiences. Whether you're evaluating AI tools, refining automation strategies, or redesigning team structures around AI capabilities, you'
AI Brasil Experience 2026 brings two days of practical artificial intelligence, immersive experiences and business networking to São Paulo on 28–29 October. Held at Distrito Anhembi in São Paulo, the conference is designed for people who want to move beyond AI hype and understand how the technology can create real value in business, careers and everyday life. It brings together leaders, companies, specialists, creators, startups and professionals who are actively navigating AI-driven change. What to expect The 2026 programme will combine main-stage content with demonstrations, practical learning and opportunities to meet others working across technology and business. Topics will explore the application of AI in: - Business strategy, leadership and innovation - Marketing, sales and productivity - Education and the future of work - Organisational transformation and competitiveness - Real-world markets and industries across Brazil Alongside talks and case studies, attendees can expect immersive environments created to help them test, experience and understand AI in practice. The event places particular emphasis on applicable knowledge, informed decisions and genuine use cases rather than abstract theory or whichever tool happens to be trending. Who should attend? AI Brasil Experience is aimed at entrepreneurs, executives, technology professionals, marketers, educators, innovation teams, creators and anyone seeking a clearer view of AI’s practical impact. It should also appeal to companies looking to build internal understanding and prepare teams for adoption. Networking is a central part of the format, connecting attendees with business owners, corporate leaders, specialists, startups and professionals undergoing their own AI transformation. The event describes itself not as a generic technology fair or a sequence of disconnected talks, but as a meeting point for content, community, business and transformation. The scale of the previous edition offers a sense of the wider experience: in 2025, the event reported more than 17,000 participants, 300 speakers, 180 talks, 100 exhibition stands and 60 startups. Previous stages have hosted figures from business, technology, education and public life, although those names do not represent confirmed speakers for 2026.… Register for this event
