Solent FutureScape – AI for Professional Services (Southampton, 24 March 2026)

⌖ Southampton · Axis Conference Centre

Hosted by Hampshire AI

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.

⌖ Southampton · United Reformed Church

Hosted by Developer South Coast

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.

⌖ Southampton + online · University of Southampton, Avenue Campus

Hosted by Charlotte Franziska Unruh

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

⌖ 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