Build Café #2

⌖ Amsterdam · De Balie

Hosted by Volt There

Explore how AI can threaten, and strengthen, democracy at this English-language panel on 14 October 2026 at De Balie in Amsterdam. Hosted by Volt There, the evening moves beyond the question of whether artificial intelligence will affect democratic life to examine how society can actively shape that impact. From democratic risk to public tool Deepfakes of politicians, personalised disinformation and election microtargeting are already making it more difficult for citizens to decide what, and whom, to trust. This panel will confront those risks while also exploring a more constructive possibility: using AI and other emerging technologies to make democratic decision-making more transparent, accessible and inclusive. The conversation is inspired by “Keeping Democracy in the Race: How emerging technologies can strengthen citizen participation in democratic decision making”, a research report from the research platform Charge. Its findings consider how technology could: - Lower barriers to democratic participation - Help structure complex public discussions - Make decision-making processes more transparent - Support responsible experimentation alongside effective safeguards A central question will run through the discussion: should democratic innovators wait for legislation to catch up, or begin testing new approaches now with safeguards built in from the outset? Rather than treating regulation and innovation as opposing forces, the event will examine how they might develop together. Speakers and format The announced lineup features Reinier van Lanschot, Robin Twickler and Alexandre Ferreira Gomes. Expect an in-person evening of panel conversation, critical reflection and practical perspectives, not simply a debate about controlling AI, but an exploration of how it might be reclaimed for democratic participation. The event is relevant to people interested in AI, emerging technology, politics, citizen participation, public policy and the future of democratic institutions. The discussion will be held in English. Practical details… Register for this event

⌖ Amsterdam · Capgemini Leidsche Rijn

Hosted by Girl Code

Explore how AI is reshaping software development careers at Girl Code’s in-person Capgemini meetup in Utrecht on 15 October 2026. Coding, careers and growth in the AI era As predictions about AI-generated code become increasingly polarised, this evening asks a practical question: what does it now mean to grow as a programmer? Rather than framing AI simply as a replacement for developers, the programme will examine how it may change coding, learning, hiring, mentoring and career progression. Attendees will hear perspectives from two different career stages: an early-career or junior developer and an experienced technology leader. Topics under discussion include: - Whether AI will reduce entry-level opportunities or alter how junior developers get hired - How programmers can progress from junior to senior when AI can produce code - The growing importance of problem-solving, creativity and system design - How mentoring and coaching may need to evolve - Ways developers already use AI to learn, improve and build software - Whether software engineering roles will fundamentally change or remain recognisable The confirmed speaker is Annet Harmsen, Head of Delivery at Capgemini. Girl Code is also running an open call for a junior or early-career developer to deliver a 10–15 minute talk in English. Proposals should include a working title and a short summary and must be sent to ineke.scheffers@hotmail.com by 4 September at 12:00. Evening programme Hosted at Capgemini Leidsche Rijn, Reykjavikplein 1, Utrecht, the meetup combines talks, discussion and informal networking: - 17:30 , Walk-in and dinner - 18:30 , Girl Code introduction from Ineke Scheffers - 18:35 , Introduction to Capgemini - 18:40 , Early-career speaker slot - 19:05 , Energiser - 19:10 , Annet Harmsen, Head of Delivery at Capgemini - 19:40 , Q&A with all speakers - 20:00–21:30 , Drinks, snacks and mingling… Register for this event

Sponsors: Capgemini

⌖ Amsterdam · B. Amsterdam

Hosted by AIC4NL

AI and B2B tech founders can sharpen their go-to-market systems and learn how to scale revenue predictably at B. Amsterdam on 28 October 2026. Many commercial teams can report whether they hit a quarterly target, but struggle to explain exactly why they succeeded,or why performance slipped. This focused afternoon in Amsterdam is designed to help founders and sales leaders move beyond that uncertainty and build a more sustainable, repeatable approach to growth. The event is organised by Scaler Company and Gradient in collaboration with the AI Coalition for the Netherlands’ Breaking Barriers programme. It is aimed specifically at founders of AI and B2B technology companies, as well as commercial leaders responsible for scaling revenue. What to expect This is an interactive working event rather than a conventional series of presentations. Attendees will bring their own commercial challenges into the room and work through them live with fellow founders, supported by experts in the field. The afternoon will include: - Practical problem-solving: examine real go-to-market and revenue challenges rather than relying on abstract examples. - A system for growth: explore how to break through a growth ceiling and what it takes to get a team to implement the approach. - Current insight: hear what experts who use and develop AI every day say is working now, including where AI fits into modern commercial practice. - Focused peer exchange: meet a deliberately small group of 25–40 founders and commercial leaders for candid, relevant conversations. The limited group size is a defining part of the format. It creates space for interaction, useful feedback and the kind of detailed peer discussion that is difficult to find through public online networks. Schedule and location The event runs from 1:00pm to 6:00pm on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, with drinks beginning at 4:45pm. It takes place at B. Amsterdam.… Register for this event

Sponsors: Scaler Company · Gradient

⌖ Ho Chi Minh City · Novotel Saigon Centre

Hosted by Tech Talks by Thoughtworks Vietnam

XConf Lite Vietnam brings a focused half-day of AI and software engineering talks to Ho Chi Minh City on 10 October 2026. Designed by technologists for technologists, the conference examines how engineering teams can design, build and scale meaningful AI-powered solutions. Expect a practical morning of technical presentations, actionable ideas and networking rather than a broad, high-level introduction to artificial intelligence. What you’ll explore The programme follows AI across coding, autonomous workflows, production operations and software delivery: - Harness engineering: Building the control system for AI coding agents, explore the control systems needed to turn coding agents into reliable contributors to real software projects. - Agents that don’t lose the plot: Designing for long-horizon success, learn how guardrails, sub-agents and judge patterns can help prevent failures and keep complex, extended tasks on track. - First Responder: Agentic incident triage, see how agentic AI can accelerate the initial triage of production incidents and support faster incident response. - From delivery to outcomes: How AI is transforming delivery, examine how embedding AI throughout the development lifecycle can shift attention away from team size and effort towards valuable business outcomes. Together, these sessions offer a grounded look at the engineering practices required to move AI agents beyond impressive demonstrations and towards dependable use in development and production environments. Who should attend? XConf Lite is aimed at technologists interested in AI-assisted software development, agentic systems and modern engineering delivery. It will be particularly relevant to software engineers, technical leads, delivery practitioners and others exploring how AI changes the way teams build and operate software. No formal experience level is specified, but the announced topics have a distinctly technical and applied focus. Format and venue This is an action-packed half-day conference combining talks with opportunities to meet and exchange ideas with fellow attendees. It runs from 8:30am to 12:00pm ICT on Saturday, 10 October 2026 at Novotel Saigon Centre, 167 Hai Ba Trung, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.… Register for this event

⌖ London · 106 Bunhill Row

Hosted by STBY

AI Jam London is a two-day, hands-on AI design hackathon in London, running 10–11 October 2026 at 106 Bunhill Row. Designed as a collaborative jam session, the event brings together designers, creatives, students, business professionals and entrepreneurs to prototype new services and products. Teams will respond to three challenges, which remain secret for now, while experimenting with service design, people, communities and the latest AI tools. Rather than overanalysing ideas, participants will build on one another’s skills, prototype quickly and iterate through making. It is an opportunity to learn new methods, sharpen practical skills and create something original with a diverse team. The jam is co-hosted by STBY, Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and the Institute for Creativity and AI, based at Bayes Business School. Event details - Format: In-person, two-day design hackathon - Dates: Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October 2026 - Time: 9:30am–4:30pm each day - Venue: 106 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8TZ - Refund policy: No refunds No individual speakers or detailed agenda have been announced. Come prepared to contribute your skills, keep an open mind and work collaboratively across both days. Get tickets for AI Jam London

Sponsors: Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) · Institute for Creativity and AI

⌖ Riyadh · Rafd Complex Building 4, Floor 1

Hosted by Sabtiah

Sabtiah is a two-hour Saturday working session in Riyadh for people actively building AI tools, agents, workflows and prototypes. Taking place on 10 October 2026, from 2:00–4:00 PM AST, the circle meets at Rafd Complex, Building 4, Floor 1, in Al Malqa. Sabtiah (السبتية) takes its name from Sabt, meaning Saturday, a local custom in which gatherings are named after the day they meet. The community has gathered weekly since July 2025. What to expect - Hour one, discussion: Explore what is happening in AI, share what participants are learning and consider what developments mean for people building locally. - Hour two, demos: Present a tool, agent, workflow, prototype or experiment. Projects can be polished or half-built; bringing a problem you are stuck on also counts. This is a practical, collaborative session rather than a formal talk. It is designed for AI builders who want to meet others tackling similar problems, experiment together and test their work in front of peers. Conversation may take place in Arabic, English or both, depending on who is in the room. The event is organised by Sabtiah and powered by Cycls. Register for Sabtiah on Meetup

Sponsors: Cycls