Phil Whittaker - The future of AI is Skilled

Practical, demo-driven AI for software engineers in Manchester: learn how teams are using AI in production with real tools, live demos, and actionable takeaways. What to expect This February edition of Practically AI is a community-led evening focused on how engineers are actually using AI in production today — from day-to-day development workflows to operational automation and tooling. The format stays true to the meetup’s core focus: practical, demo-driven AI for software engineers with real tools, real constraints, and lessons you can apply immediately. Expect concrete examples around AI-assisted coding, AI-powered developer tooling, and production workflows—not theory or hype. Who should attend Software engineers, platform engineers, tech leads, and engineering managers who want to use AI as part of their day job, not just read about it. If you’re building, testing, shipping, or operating software and want to see how AI fits into real workflows, this is for you. Why it’s worth attending Gain practical insight into how AI is being applied across modern engineering teams and connect with Manchester’s growing applied-AI community. Even with a final talk yet to be announced, these evenings consistently deliver useful ideas, honest discussions, and conversations with people facing similar problems. Agenda - 18:30 – Doors, pizza & mingling - 18:50 – Introductions - 19:00 – Talk - 19:40 – Q&A - 19:50 – Open social & refreshments - 20:30 – Close Entry & venue Entry on arrival at Accenture’s Manchester office (2 Symphony Park, Circle Square, Manchester M1 7FS). Please check in at reception and you’ll be directed to the meetup. Attendees must show a form of ID on entry. Target audience and outcomes - Attendees will walk away with concrete ideas for integrating AI into daily development workflows, from coding to deployment and monitoring. - Understand how engineering teams are evaluating and using AI-powered tooling in real-world scenarios. - Build connections with peers in Manchester’s applied-AI ecosystem for collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Registration RSVP via the Meetup page above. While the final main talk is TBD, the session will maintain Practically AI’s hands-on, demo-driven approach that emphasizes practical outcomes you can apply immediately. Find more AI events in Manchester and explore related topics at the linked pages: [Manchester](https://www.createwith.com/cities/manchester) | [automation events](https://www.createwith.com/directory/

Why attend: this Manchester AI User Group meetup invites you to explore how AI is reshaping careers across tech and beyond, with practical insights you can apply immediately. If you’re a developer, consultant, team leader, or knowledge worker curious about how AI can unlock new opportunities in your role, this in-person session offers clarity, inspiration, and concrete next steps in an accessible community setting. What to expect: an evening focused on career impact, skills evolution, and real-world AI application. The session will unpack the emerging AI-enabled work landscape, discuss upskilling paths, and provide actionable guidance for navigating an AI-powered future. Attendees will gain perspectives on how AI can augment existing workflows, whether you’re looking to level up in your current role, pivot to new duties, or simply understand what AI means for your career trajectory. Format and agenda: a relaxed in-person event hosted by Manchester AI User Group with a mix of short talks and interactive discussion. The agenda includes a Welcome/One Minute Wonder, Speaker One, Pizza, Speaker Two, Speaker Three, Closing, and Pub networking. Please note photographs will be taken during the event. Venue and hosts: ANS Office, Birley Fields, 1 Archway, Hulme, Manchester M15 5QJ. Hosted by the Manchester AI User Group and sponsored by ANS Group, Mazik Global, Illuminate AI, MS Talent & Columbus. The evening is designed to be welcoming for people at all levels of experience with AI, from curious beginners to seasoned practitioners. Audience and tone: a community-focused evening suitable for developers, consultants, leaders, and knowledge workers who want pragmatic guidance on how to leverage AI in their careers. The event emphasizes inclusivity and learning in a social setting with food and drinks. Allergen and accessibility notes: please inform organizers of any dietary requirements when you sign in. Allergens cannot be guaranteed-free due to external catering, but every effort will be made to accommodate dietary needs. Photography will occur during the event. Why this stands out: this isn’t just a talk; it’s a chance to connect with peers who are actively exploring AI’s impact on careers, share experiences, and build practical plans for skill development and career progression in an AI-enhanced world. You’ll leave with ideas, contacts, and a clearer sense of the steps you can take next. Registration and location: date is March 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM local

Build With AI: Intro to AI Agents is a practical, hands-on workshop designed to demystify agent-based AI and show you how to start building intelligent agents today. Hosted by GDG Manchester-NH in partnership with Southern New Hampshire University, this session dives into agentic AI concepts and how to orchestrate multiple agents to tackle real tasks. Attendees will explore cutting-edge tools such as Google’s Agent Development Kit (ADK), Gemini models, and various multi-agent frameworks. The event is targeted at developers of all levels who want to move beyond theory and start deploying agent-driven solutions. What you’ll learn and do: - Foundational AI Agents: understand what an AI agent is, what it can do, and how to design simple agents that perform concrete tasks. - Advanced Multi-Agent Systems: learn strategies for coordinating specialized agents to work together efficiently on complex problems. - Google Cloud Integration: see how agent-based solutions can be deployed and scaled in a cloud environment. - Community & Collaboration: connect with fellow developers, share approaches, and get hands-on help from organizers. Agenda and logistics: - Date and time: Tue, Mar 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM local time (Manchester, NH) - Hosted by: John Hornijas (GDG Organizer), Sarfraz Ahmad (GDG Organizer), Linda Forlizzi (GDG Organizer) - Partner: Southern New Hampshire University - Prerequisites: please bring a laptop and charger; a basic familiarity with AI concepts is helpful but not required - RSVP and more details: Complete your event RSVP at https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-manchester-nh-presents-build-with-ai-intro-to-ai-agents/ What this means for you: - If you’re a developer curious about practical AI agent development, this session offers a clear path from fundamentals to multi-agent orchestration. - You’ll gain exposure to Gemini models and agent-style tooling, with examples showing how agents can cooperate to accomplish tasks more efficiently than a single agent alone. For quick reference within the toolset, you can explore Gemini at [Gemini](/tools/gemini-). - The workshop format emphasizes hands-on exploration, so bring your laptop and be ready to experiment with small, guided projects. Why attend: - Learn actionable techniques for building AI agents that can be deployed in real-world scenarios - See how agent frameworks can scale with cloud integration and collaboration across a team - Network with other developers and GDG organizers