Turn your AI vision into reality

⌖ Bristol · Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP

Hosted by AI West

AI West’s Bristol lunchtime event gives law and accountancy firms a practical framework for adopting AI, measuring its value and managing professional risk. Taking place from 12:00–14:00 on Tuesday 22 September 2026 at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP in Bristol, this in-person session examines why AI adoption is moving from an optional innovation project to an essential part of professional practice. The event responds to growing pressure from clients, competitors and regulators. It will consider the UK Jurisdiction Taskforce’s statement that professionals could potentially be liable not only for misusing AI, but also for failing to use it where reasonable care and skill would require it. Against that backdrop, the discussion will move beyond whether firms should adopt AI and focus on the practical questions: what to implement first, what it will cost and how to demonstrate that it worked. What you’ll learn Drawing on direct experience with small and mid-tier professional services firms, the session will explore: - What has, and has not, worked inside law and accountancy firms - Where firms lose money during technology adoption and which decisions cause those losses - How the UKJT statement may affect the supervision of AI use in practice - How to encourage meaningful uptake rather than simply buying technology - A free online resource developed from three years of work with firms The findings come from TiPS (Technology in Professional Services), a project funded by ESRC and Innovate UK and run by Lancaster University, Oxford Brookes Business School and the University of Salford. Since January 2024, TiPS has delivered more than 500 hours of support to over 60 UK professional services firms, accelerating technology adoption in 75% of them. Speakers and format Professor James Faulconbridge of Lancaster University, co-lead of TiPS and a member of the Mayor of London’s AI and Jobs Taskforce, will speak alongside Francisco Trincado-Munoz, Associate Professor in Business Analytics at Oxford Brookes Business School. The two-hour programme combines networking, research findings, a firm’s real-world adoption experience and audience questions:… Register for this event

Sponsors: Bristol Law Society · Bristol and Bath Legal Tech +3

◎ Online

Hosted by Green Tech South West

Explore the hidden ecological and social costs of AI in this free online talk with researcher and writer Alistair Alexander on 23 September 2026. Hosted by Green Tech South West, this session moves the AI sustainability debate beyond data-centre electricity use to examine the full supply chain behind increasingly powerful systems. Alexander will trace the materials, manufacturing processes and communities involved in producing the microchips that power AI,and explain why each new generation can demand more energy, minerals and water. What the talk will cover The journey runs from “Stargate” data centres and semiconductor “megaclusters” to mining activity on First Nation lands in Canada and Greenland. Topics include: - The semiconductor industry’s expanding energy, mineral and water requirements - Pollution from microchip manufacturing, including forever chemicals released into land in Taiwan - Demand for rare earths and copper, and its effects on Indigenous territories - The relationship between AI growth, planetary extraction and workplace exploitation - Resistance led by Indigenous leaders, workplace organisers, lawyers and activists throughout the supply chain Rather than treating affected communities as a footnote, the talk will platform voices that are often missing from mainstream discussions about responsible technology. It should be especially relevant to people working in AI, digital technology, sustainability, climate action or responsible innovation, as well as anyone seeking a fuller understanding of AI’s environmental footprint. No technical prerequisites are listed. Speaker and format Guest speaker Alistair Alexander is a researcher and writer at Reclaimed Technologies. His work explores technology’s ecological and social impact, bringing together activists, academics and campaigners to reimagine technological futures. Attendees can also read his Reclaimed Systems publication and recent Truthdig article on AI’s ecological cost.… Register for this event

Sponsors: Bristol Digital Futures Institute · ADLIB Recruitment

⌖ Bristol · Future Space Bristol

Hosted by TechSouthWest

AI SW Live! returns to Bristol in September 2026, bringing together the South West's most vibrant AI community for an evening of learning, sharing, and connecting at Future Space Bristol. Following the sold-out success of previous editions, this meetup has become the go-to gathering for anyone building with AI in the region — from founders shipping AI agents to developers experimenting with the latest models, and non-technical builders creating with no-code AI tools. This community-driven event focuses on practical AI implementation and real-world applications. Whether you're exploring ChatGPT for automation, building conversational experiences with Voiceflow, connecting AI workflows with Make or Zapier, or shipping full AI products with Cursor or Replit, you'll find your people here. Who Should Attend: AI SW Live! welcomes builders at all levels — technical and non-technical alike. You'll meet indie hackers launching AI-powered SaaS products, agency owners integrating AI into client workflows, corporate innovators exploring AI transformation, researchers testing new models, and curious beginners taking their first steps with AI. The South West AI scene is known for being welcoming, collaborative, and focused on helping each other succeed. Event Format: The evening typically features lightning talks from community members sharing what they're building, live demos of AI tools and workflows, open discussions about challenges and breakthroughs, and plenty of unstructured networking time. Past events have covered everything from RAG implementations and prompt engineering techniques to AI video generation, agent orchestration, and building AI MVPs in a weekend. Venue: Future Space Bristol provides an ideal setting for the AI community to gather — a collaborative workspace designed for innovation, with excellent facilities and a central Bristol location that's easily accessible for attendees across the South West region. Organised by TechSouthWest, this event continues their mission to connect and strengthen the region's tech ecosystem. Previous AI SW Live! events have sold out quickly, so early registration is recommended. [Register for AI

⌖ Bristol · Watershed

Hosted by Bristol AI Shed

Discover practical ways to use AI at work during Bristol AI Shed’s in-person demo and networking morning at Watershed in Bristol on 30 September 2026. AI in practice Designed for professionals who want to do more with AI in their day-to-day work, this focused two-hour event replaces abstract discussion with real applications, useful demonstrations and conversations with the local AI community. It takes place from 9:00am to 11:00am at Watershed, 1 Canon’s Road, Bristol. Bristol AI Shed describes the morning as a shorter but packed format featuring demo stations, a talk and plenty of time to meet other attendees. Previous participants praised the friendly atmosphere, practical tips and real-world examples, with one noting that people at every level of experience were treated as equals. That makes the event suitable both for those beginning to explore AI and professionals already experimenting with it who want to exchange ideas and make useful connections. What to expect The morning combines several elements: - Hands-on demo stations showing practical AI applications and skills - A welcome and introduction to the morning’s main themes - A demo talk from fast-growing SaaS company PostHog - Informal networking with Bristol professionals interested in AI - Coffee, tea and breakfast bites, which are included Doors open at 9:00am, giving attendees 15 minutes to settle in over coffee and breakfast. At 9:15am, Bristol AI Shed co-founders Jake Hewlett and Stephen Honight will introduce the community and the key themes for the session. The PostHog demo talk follows at 9:25am. Who should attend? This event is aimed at Bristol-based professionals curious about applying AI more effectively in their work or business. No specific technical background is listed, and the emphasis is on accessible, practical learning rather than theory. It should be particularly relevant to business owners, operators, team members and independent professionals looking for useful approaches they can take back into their working lives.… Register for this event

⌖ Bristol · The Lost and Found

Hosted by Software Crafters Bristol

Explore how AI-generated code is reshaping software quality at this open-space engineering meetup in Bristol on 30 September 2026. Hosted by Software Crafters Bristol, the evening examines a pressing challenge for modern software teams: how do you maintain,and raise,the quality bar when AI is increasingly involved in generating, reviewing and testing code? What to expect Principal Platform Software Craftsperson Sam Griffiths and Senior Software Craftsman Mattsi Jansky will begin by sharing their reflections on software quality and how it is evolving in the era of AI-generated code. From there, the meetup will switch to an open-space format, giving everyone in the room an opportunity to propose topics, shape the agenda and take part in the conversations most relevant to their work. Rather than following a fixed programme of presentations, attendees will co-create the discussion. Potential questions include: - What does quality mean when AI generates, reviews and tests code? - How can engineering cultures protect software craft amid pressure to ship faster with AI? - Where does accountability sit when a defect originates in AI-generated code? - Which quality frameworks, standards and practices remain effective,and which need rethinking? - How should engineering leaders measure and incentivise quality in AI-assisted teams? This participatory structure makes the event a chance to compare real perspectives across roles and organisations, challenge assumptions and learn how other practitioners are responding to the same engineering pressures. The evening also includes time for knowledge sharing and networking. Who should attend? The meetup is open to anyone in Bristol and the surrounding area with an interest in software, engineering or problem-solving. It welcomes people from all industries and experience levels, with particular relevance for engineers, tech leads and engineering leaders considering the practical and cultural implications of AI-assisted development.… Register for this event

Sponsors: Codurance

⌖ Cardiff · The Customs Shed, Cardiff, Wales

Hosted by Network One

Network One brings its popular AI & Machine Learning networking series to Cardiff on September 21, 2026, offering professionals in artificial intelligence and machine learning a valuable opportunity to connect, share knowledge, and explore collaboration opportunities. Taking place at The Customs Shed in Cardiff, Wales, this in-person event is designed for anyone working with or interested in AI and ML technologies, from developers and data scientists to business leaders exploring AI implementation. This Cardiff edition provides a relaxed yet purposeful environment where attendees can engage in meaningful conversations about the latest developments in AI and machine learning. Whether you're building AI agents, working on machine learning models, or exploring how these technologies can transform your business, you'll find a community of like-minded professionals ready to share insights and experiences. The event format encourages organic networking, allowing you to meet practitioners across different sectors and experience levels. You might connect with data scientists working on cutting-edge ML algorithms, developers building AI-powered applications, product managers integrating AI into their offerings, or founders launching AI-first startups. The diverse mix of attendees creates opportunities to learn from different perspectives and discover potential collaborators, mentors, or future team members. Network One has built a reputation for creating welcoming, inclusive networking environments that go beyond standard industry mixers. Their events attract professionals who are genuinely passionate about AI and ML, creating conversations that balance technical depth with practical application. Whether you're looking to discuss the latest LLM developments, share challenges you're facing in production ML systems, or simply expand your professional network in the Cardiff tech scene, this event offers a platform to do so. The Customs Shed provides an atmospheric venue that combines Cardiff's industrial heritage with modern event facilities, creating a unique backdrop for professional networking. The location is easily accessible and offers the kind of environment that facilitates both structured conversations and spontaneous connections. This event is particularly valuable if you're working with AI tools, building machine learning applications, or exploring how to integrate these technologies into your work. It's an