Human After All: Thriving (Not Just Surviving) in the Age of AI

One for our Teesside-based members!
Note- this event is also posted on our Tech on the Tees page. You can sign up on either page.

Event Summary
Join us for a thought‑provoking and refreshingly human evening as we explore what it means to build software, and a career, in an AI-saturated world. Hosted and sponsored by Enterprise Made Simple (EMS).
We’re thrilled to welcome two standout speakers:

Mike Dent
Head of Digital Solutions, Waterstons
Talk: Your Soul Is Not Replaceable – Permission to Be a Happy, Human Developer in an AI‑Obsessed World
Mike brings a grounded, energising perspective on the developer experience in an era dominated by automation and hype. His talk invites us to step back from the noise, reconnect with what makes us uniquely human, and rediscover joy in our craft. Expect honesty, humour, and a reminder that creativity, empathy, and curiosity aren’t going anywhere.

Andrew Buckingham
Principal Architect, Government Office for Science
Talk: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My AI Overlords
Andrew blends technical insight with playful pragmatism as he unpacks the very real anxieties surrounding AI and why embracing these tools might be the key to building smarter, more sustainable engineering practices. With a nod to classic satire, he’ll challenge assumptions, poke at our fears, and show how developers can make peace with (and even enjoy) our algorithmic companions.

What to Expect
This meetup brings together two complementary viewpoints: one focused on protecting your humanity, the other on welcoming AI as a powerful ally. Together, they create a balanced, insightful, and entertaining look at life as a modern developer.
Whether you’re excited, cautious, overwhelmed, or just curious about AI’s impact on your work, you’ll leave with new perspectives