Reading Geek Night – Who Gets to Build?

Links to the local STEAM groups + #rdggeek Link Tree

We are looking for speakers for 2027 and beyond. If you would like to get involved and support your local Reading Geek community please get in touch – email: talks [at] rdggeeknight.org or via Twitter: @RDGGeekNight Speaking slot availability can be found via the website.

Our monthly meetups are held upstairs at Zero Degrees (9 Bridge St, Reading RG1 2LR) from 7pm.

So please do come along, grab a beer/food at the downstairs bar (the mango beer and wood fired pizza are epic) and come share your geekery and enjoy a relaxed evening of talks + networking + beers.

Everyone welcome!

• 7:00pm Arrivals
• 7:30pm Welcome and Introductions
• 7:35pm Who Gets to Build? (Sam Chaher & Fiorella Illes)
• 8:30pm Short announcements/updates*
• 8:35pm Pub Quiz (Please bring a pencil & paper)
• 9:30pm End(Networking and beers downstairs)

Who Gets to Build? (Sam Chaher & Fiorella Illes)

For decades, turning an idea into working software meant either learning to code or finding someone who could. AI is changing that equation. What happens when the people closest to a problem suddenly have the tools to solve it themselves? And does building something useful still require being a software engineer?

In this talk, Sam and Fi share their experience building Censara, an AI-native recruitment platform, without traditional software engineering backgrounds. They’ll challenge some of the conventional wisdom around AI-assisted development and ‘vibe coding’, exploring the opportunities, misconceptions and trade-offs involved in building real software for real customers.

More broadly, they’ll explore what this new era of building means for startups, businesses and anyone who’s ever thought, “Surely there’s a better way to do this?”

Sam is Co-Founder of Censara, founder of Hyre AI, and Co-Director of Thames Valley Artificial Intelligence (TVAI). With a background in AI recruitment, entrepreneurship and database development, he combines technical curiosity with firsthand industry experience. He’s passionate about solving recruitment’s longstanding challenges by building technology that’s shaped by recruiters’ perspectives.

Fi is Co-Founder of Censara and Internship Schemes Manager at the University of Reading. With a background in employability, career development and recruitment, she’s passionate about improving candidate experience and exploring how AI can support more human-centred hiring. She’s a driving force behind Censara’s approach to candidate-facing AI, ensuring technology empowers recruiters to deliver better experiences for applicants.

About Reading Geek Night

A friendly and welcoming community for enthusiasts.

Every second Tuesday of the month Reading Geek Night has talks on various topics about science, tech, design & geekery. The usual format is to gather from 7:00pm and commence the talks at 7:30pm. Talks are ~20mins + Q&A with a break of 20mins for networking and beer.

*Before the second session there is an opportunity for any short announcements so please let us know on the night if you would like a slot or 1-2mins.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Get involved and support the community

If you would like to get involved with your local #rdggeek community by giving a talk or hosting a quiz at an upcoming event please contact us via twitter: @RDGGeekNight, Facebook or email us: **talks [at] rdggeeknight.org**

Speaking slot availability can be found via the website.