Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Robotics

Should you just pay Deepgram or AssemblyAI and call it a day? Or is it time to spin up your own Faster-Whisper cluster on AWS? This is an open roundtable where we’re going to look at the math and the trade-offs of the current STT landscape. We’ll be discussing: * **The Real Cost:** When does the API bill become more expensive than the engineering time to self-host? * **The "VIBE" Check:** Which open-source models are actually production-ready in 2026? * **Privacy & Compliance:** When does "on-prem" become a requirement rather than a choice? If you’re currently stuck in a spreadsheet trying to pick a provider, or you just finished migrating from one to another, come tell us why you did it.

🎟️ **Get tickets: [https://lu.ma/ai-builders](https://lu.ma/ai-builders)** 🎟️ ☝️This is a free meetup however a Luma ticket is required! **Join our meetup for AI engineers & founders!** We share the latest insights about: *AI dev tools, Agent frameworks, RAG pipelines, automation hacks, Cursor/Claude code hacks, and new gen-AI models.* ​\*\*:: FOR WHO ::\*\* ✅ Anyone actively building with Generative AI ✅ Devs, Product peeps, Data lovers, ML engineers, Founders ⚠️Technical LLM knowledge required!\* ​ :: **FORMAT** :: * ​💻⚡️ **Speed Demos** (10 min) Builders share real-world AI solutions and how it's built. Including code, prompts & architecture examples! * ​**🎤 🦄 Pioneer Talks** (20 min) Inspiring talk/demo from emerging Gen-AI leaders from Europe or Silicon Valley * ​**🤝🍕🍻 Informal Vibes** Lots of time to network with other builders over some yummy pizza & drinks. ​\*\*:: AGENDA ::\*\* 17:30 **🤝** Walk-in 18:00 **🍕** Pizza (be early!) 18:30 **🎤** Pioneer Speaker 19:00 ---- 💬 BREAK TIME ----- 19:30 💻 Demo (TBA) ​19.45 💻 Demo (TBA) 20.00 🍻 Drinks 21.00 End ​ **:: FAQ ::** • What is **AI Builders?** A self-organizing nonprofit community of 3000+ AI nerds🤓. and yes.. we're building a democratic AI CEO and run on [opencollective.com](http://opencollective.com/aibuilders) donations. • **Can I demo, give a talk, or just help out?** Message Arthur [(+31636570260)](https://aib.club/whatsapp-arthurp) in case you want to shine✨ on stage and grow your network! • \***I'm not technical. Can I come?** Yes! To fully enjoy the meetup, we recommend chatting with AI to understand these basic LLM concepts: *Multimodal, Vector Embeddings, RAG, Chaining, Structured JSON Output, Function Calling, API calls, Knowledge Graphs, Reinforcement Learning, Fine-tuning, AI Agents.* • **Why hangout at AI Builders?** * NETWORKING: Connect with 80+ technical attendees and a larger community of 3000+ across Europe * ​LATEST KNOW-HOW: We focus on innovative AI demos + slides with diagrams, code/prompt examples. * ​FUN: a lot of time to chill, 10min demos, informal good vibes! **​Location** We look forward to hang out with you: 207 Old St, London EC1V 9NR, United Kingdom It's close to the Old Street Tube Station **Thanks to our friends at [Beyond](https://www.wearebeyond.work/beyond-the-bower)** ![]()🎟️ **Get tickets: [https://lu.ma/ai-builders](https://lu.ma/ai-builders)** 🎟️ ☝️This is a free meetup however a Luma ticket is required!

**Your chance to WIN a StartUp Zone Exhibitor TableTop at AI & Big Data Expo/TechEx for 4-5 Feb, London.** **➡️ [FILL OUT THE ENTRY FORM IF YOU MEET THE CRITERIA](https://form.questionscout.com/6968c75687a828a5c1d01cdb) ⬅️** As a community partner of AI & Big Data Expo/TechEx, we have **one Startup Zone Exhibitor table top** at the AI & Big Expo in Olympia, London on 4-5 Feb, to **give away** **to one lucky member in a prize draw!** **Want to position your Startup alongside some of the most influential names in the industry? Gain exposure to a highly targeted audience of potential clients, partners and investors at the AI & Big Data Expo in Olympia, London on 4 & 5 February 2026?** Full eligibility criteria below. **[Fill out the entry form NOW!](https://form.questionscout.com/6968c75687a828a5c1d01cdb)** The dedicated startup zone at this expo is designed for emerging tech companies looking to showcase their AI and Big Data innovations to 8000+ industry leaders and investors. **If so, we want to hear from you... enter this exclusive Prize Draw** (assuming you meet the criteria below): tell us about your startup and why you deserve this opportunity, **[FILL OUT THE FORM ASAP!](https://form.questionscout.com/6968c75687a828a5c1d01cdb)** We will choose our winner based on your entry to pass on to TechEx (the organisers) - Good luck!! **Eligibility Criteria** **Startups that meet the following criteria are eligible to enter this prize draw:** • You are a founder or executive of the company. • Your company is bootstrapped or at the seed stage, with a maximum funding of £7.5 million. • Your team consists of 20 employees or fewer. • Your business develops or markets software or hardware within the technology sector.

**Your chance to WIN a StartUp Zone Exhibitor TableTop at AI & Big Data Expo/TechEx for 4-5 Feb, London.** **➡️ [FILL OUT THE ENTRY FORM IF YOU MEET THE CRITERIA](https://form.questionscout.com/6968c75687a828a5c1d01cdb) ⬅️** As a community partner of AI & Big Data Expo/TechEx, we have **one Startup Zone Exhibitor table top** at the AI & Big Expo in Olympia, London on 4-5 Feb, to **give away** **to one lucky member in a prize draw!** **Want to position your Startup alongside some of the most influential names in the industry? Gain exposure to a highly targeted audience of potential clients, partners and investors at the AI & Big Data Expo in Olympia, London on 4 & 5 February 2026?** Full eligibility criteria below. **[Fill out the entry form NOW!](https://form.questionscout.com/6968c75687a828a5c1d01cdb)** The dedicated startup zone at this expo is designed for emerging tech companies looking to showcase their AI and Big Data innovations to 8000+ industry leaders and investors. **If so, we want to hear from you... enter this exclusive Prize Draw** (assuming you meet the criteria below): tell us about your startup and why you deserve this opportunity, **[FILL OUT THE FORM ASAP!](https://form.questionscout.com/6968c75687a828a5c1d01cdb)** We will choose our winner based on your entry to pass on to TechEx (the organisers) - Good luck!! **Eligibility Criteria** **Startups that meet the following criteria are eligible to enter this prize draw:** • You are a founder or executive of the company. • Your company is bootstrapped or at the seed stage, with a maximum funding of £7.5 million. • Your team consists of 20 employees or fewer. • Your business develops or markets software or hardware within the technology sector.

**Kindly note that this is a paid event and the average number of attendees for our events is 60-70 people. You can register on [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wealth-connector-london-premium-networking-at-the-iod-tickets-1977583973901?aff=meetup](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wealth-connector-london-premium-networking-at-the-iod-tickets-1977583973901?aff=meetup)** A networking hub where ambitious, supportive, and opportunity-driven professionals connect to collaborate and thrive. Join us at the prestigious **Institute of Directors (IoD)** in London for an exclusive evening of high-level networking designed for **investors, wealth managers, entrepreneurs, founders, senior executives, HNWIs and growth-focused professionals**. At the **Wealth Connector®** event we welcome those who have created wealth, those looking to preserve it, and experts who provide wealth-building and wealth-protection solutions. Together, this mix of experience, ambition, and expertise creates a collaborative environment where opportunities emerge naturally. Expect warm introductions, meaningful conversations, and a community that genuinely wants to help each other succeed. ## **💼 Why Attend Wealth Connector®?** ✔ **Meet high-calibre professionals** in wealth, finance, investment, business strategy, and entrepreneurship ✔ **Build relationships that matter** — open, supportive, and collaboration-minded ✔ **Enjoy a premium London setting** inside the iconic IoD at Pall Mall ✔ **Discover opportunities and strategies to create and preserve wealth** through organic conversation (no sales pressure) ✔ **Join a welcoming community** where ambition meets generosity Whether you’re expanding your portfolio, seeking partnerships, or building your circle of trusted peers, this event gives you direct access to London’s most opportunity-rich network. ## **🏛️ About the Venue: The Institute of Directors** Located in the heart of St. James’s, the **IoD** offers one of London’s most elegant and inspiring environments for professional networking. Expect a blend of heritage, sophistication, and premium hospitality — the perfect backdrop for forming meaningful long-term relationships. ## **👥 Who Attends** You’ll meet: • Investors & HNW professionals • Wealth & financial advisors • Entrepreneurs & founders • Senior executives & directors • Business strategists • Professionals exploring new deals & collaborations This is a **supportive, friendly, and open-minded community** — ideal for both seasoned networkers and newcomers. ## **🎟️ Tickets** Early bird tickets are limited — **secure your place now** to join one of London’s most valuable business networking experiences. ## How to connect with wealthy professionals in London, Finance networking events happening in London, Where to meet investors in London, Business networking opportunities in London, Institute of Directors (IoD) events in London, Professional networking groups in London, Wealth management networking meetups in London, Entrepreneur networking events in London, Exclusive high-end business events in London. * [United Kingdom Events](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom/events/) * [Greater London Events](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--greater-london/events/) * [Things to do in London](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/ttd/united-kingdom--london/) * [London Networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/networking/) * [London Business Networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/business--networking/) * [#networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23networking/) * [#startup](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23startup/) * [#investors](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23investors/) * [#entrepreneur](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23entrepreneur/) * [#london](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23london/) * [#director](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23director/) * [#businessnetworking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23businessnetworking/) * [#business_growth](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23business_growth/) * [#business_professional](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23business_professional/) * [#londonconnector](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23londonconnector/)

Join startup founders, tech entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals in business, finance and tech for an **evening of business networking in the elegant Sycamore Bar at the 5-star Middle Eight Hotel, Covent Garden.** **💼 Note re Contactless Cards** 
Free RSVP gives entry only - the contactless business card is not included.
To receive a contactless networking card, please book a paid ticket when available. **This informal yet refined business mixer** is the perfect opportunity to exchange ideas, spark collaborations, and build meaningful business connections that go beyond LinkedIn. **👔 Dress Code**
 As this is a 5-star hotel, smart or business attire is required. Please avoid casual wear, hoodies, or sportswear. **What to Expect** ✅ Relaxed, premium networking environment - no stage or speeches, just natural conversations with inspiring professionals.
 ✅ Mix of industries - startups, tech, finance and business. ✅ Guest list of max 40 attendees to encourage genuine connections as opposed to impersonal crowded conferences. **Why Attend** • Expand your network with startup founders, tech entrepreneurs, business owners and senior professionals in business, finance and tech from London and beyond.
 • Share insights and opportunities in tech, business growth, and digital innovation.
 • Experience luxury yet relaxed networking in one of Covent Garden’s most sophisticated venues. **Venue** Sycamore Bar, Middle Eight Hotel
A refined, design-led bar inside the 5-star Middle Eight Hotel.
Located in the heart of Covent Garden, within walking distance of Holborn, Covent Garden, and Tottenham Court Road stations. **Important Info** • Ages: 18+ (ID required for bar purchases)
 • Photography Notice: The event may be filmed or photographed for promotional use by [CineEye (audiovisual production company in London)
](www.cineeye.co.uk) • Dress Code: Smart/business attire only (see above). • Contactless Cards: Free RSVP does not include contactless business card (see above). **Join Us** Step into an evening where business meets elegance - designed for founders, innovators, and professionals who value meaningful business conversations. **Limited to 40 spots - reserve yours today!**

Getting angry might feel justified but, what’s the price we pay for getting angry or when we bottle it up? And how does it affect not just us, but the people and environments around us? This two-week course dives into: * both the visible and hidden layers of anger, how it works and its effects * tools for turning anger into constructive, empowered responses * strategies for staying cool and calm **This is the beginning of a free, two-session, in-person seminar, with each session lasting 60 minutes.** **If you would like to make a voluntary donation, please click** [here.](http://%5Bhttps//www.innerspace.org.uk/donations/%5D(https://www.innerspace.org.uk/donations/) "\[https://www.innerspace.org.uk/donations/\](https://www.innerspace.org.uk/donations/)") \* I consent to my submitted data being collected and stored. We will process your personal data in line with the GDPR requirements and always store it securely and use it only for the purpose for which it has been collected. We will not pass on your details to any third parties without your consent.

Anyone curious about tech is welcome to join this social run with Solana Run Club. We'll run 5K at an easy, conversational pace (no competition!) Bring your water bottle, a smile and dress for the weather 😊 ❗️Meet at the drinking fountain, not Marble Arch: [find on map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/sW4WEFBgvz8Pie5K9) **10:00 - 10:10**: meet + warm-up at [drinking fountain](https://maps.app.goo.gl/M9RnbveZZerVM7LN7) ([///noisy.demand.keeps](https://w3w.co/noisy.demand.keeps)) **10:10 - 10:40**: run 5k, easy pace ([route](https://solanarunclub.com/route/)) **10:40 - 12:00**: coffee, drinks and food at [Mercato Mayfair](https://maps.app.goo.gl/LWBihpvaeqKEmrqY8) ​​​​​​​​⏱️ Please arrive on time as messages can't be monitored during the run. Running late? Join us at Mercato. ​​​​​🎒Bag drop-off is available at Mercato Mayfair. Just tell staff you're a Solana Run Club runner, or ping Alex on the group chat. **💬** Join the **group chat** and find more useful info: [solanarunclub.com](https://solanarunclub.com) ​**👕 [Buy our merch](https://www.tshirtstudio.com/marketplace/solana-run-club)** ​**🛒 Support the club by [shopping on Amazon](https://amzn.to/3L2Um0G).** As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases (you don't pay extra). We put earnings back into merch, lunches and events for members. 🚇 Tube connections: \- Central: Marble Arch \- Elizabeth: Paddington\, Bond Street \- Jubilee: Bond Street \- District/Circle/H&C: Edgware Road \- Bakerloo: Paddington \- Victoria: Oxford Circus \- Piccadilly: Hyde Park Corner

### **Automate Your Instagram. Create With AI. No Code Needed.** Join our hands-on, **3-hour in-venue workshop** where we build a complete **AI-powered Instagram automation system** using **n8n**, **ChatGPT**, and **Meta Developer tools**. If you're an **influencer**, **social media marketer**, **content creator**, or someone who loves **no-code, low-code, or vibe-coding**, this workshop gives you everything you need to automate your content workflows from scratch. *** ## ⭐ **What You’ll Learn** ### **1️⃣ n8n Fundamentals – Quick & Practical** * How n8n workflows work * Trigger nodes, data flows, scheduling * Running your first automation in minutes ### **2️⃣ Instagram Setup via Meta Developer Portal** * Creating an app in Facebook Developer * Connecting your Instagram Professional Account * Granting correct permissions * Making the account fully ready for automation ### **3️⃣ ChatGPT API Setup & Integration** * Adding your API key * Connecting ChatGPT to n8n * Sending prompts + handling responses in real time ### **4️⃣ AI Content Creation** * Generating Instagram captions with ChatGPT * Creating hashtags, prompts, tone styles * AI Image generation (photos, posts, mood graphics) * Preparing assets for Instagram publishing ### **5️⃣ Automated Scheduling & Posting** * Scheduling posts inside n8n * Auto-posting images or carousels * Error handling & optimization * Scaling workflows for multiple accounts *** ## 🎯 **Workshop Goal** You will leave with a fully functioning Instagram automation pipeline that can: ✔ Generate text with AI ✔ Create AI images ✔ Schedule posts ✔ Publish automatically to Instagram ✔ Run without writing code *** ## 👥 **Who Is This For?** Perfect for: * Influencers & creators * Social media managers * Marketers * Entrepreneurs * No-code / low-code builders * Anyone curious about AI-driven content automation No coding experience required — just bring your laptop. *** ## 🕒 **Event Details** **Duration:** 3 hours (full practical workshop) **Minimum attendees required:** 10 participants **Format:** Hands-on, build-as-you-learn **Bring:** Laptop + Instagram Professional Account + Meta Developer access *** ## 🎟 Why Join? You will learn how to automate your social media presence using modern AI and no-code tools — giving you more time to focus on creativity and growth. ## ⭐ This workshop requires a minimum of 10 confirmed attendees. If fewer than 10 participants register, the event will be cancelled and **all attendees will receive a 100% refund automatically**. No action is required from your side.

Join us to network and grab a drink or a meal. We will have a space dedicated for our group. Looking forward to seeing you! This months topic is The high achievers guide to the holidays!

3rd Sunday of every month, unleash your inner language ninja with our fun Mandarin learning games! Get ready to ditch stale textbooks and rote memorisation, and watch your language skills truly skyrocket! These monthly gatherings are designed for you to: * **Boost Conversational Confidence:** Engage in lively, real-time communication that feels like play, not practice. * **Sharpen Your Listening Skills** as you navigate thoughtfully designed game scenarios and interact with fellow learners. * **Expand Your Vocabulary:** Effortlessly pick up new words and phrases, enabling you to express yourself with precision and richness. * **Retain More, Stress Less:** Experience the power of learning through fun, making new vocabulary and grammar stick with less effort! **What Makes Our Language Games Special:** Unlike traditional lessons, our sessions are a unique blend of structured fun and effective learning: * **Immersive & Interactive:** We transform language concepts into engaging, team-based games that facilitate natural conversation and active participation. * **Relaxed & Supportive Environment:** Forget competition! Our classroom setting is designed to be comfortable and non-intimidating, encouraging everyone to experiment and learn at their own pace. * **All Levels Learn Together:** You'll consolidate what you already know while effortlessly picking up new vocabulary from our well-facilitated activities. * **Expert Guidance:** Our experienced tutor provides active language support, ensuring every activity is both enjoyable and highly effective for language improvement. * **Suitable for All Levels!** (For beginners: if you have more than 20 hours of Mandarin learning, you're good to join us!) **Session Details:** 🗓️ **When:** 3rd Sunday of every month ⏰ **Time:** 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM **💰 Price:** £10 - [Tap for Easy Payment](https://monzo.com/pay/r/china-unbound_eTW5aAZoqiDQ3p) (To secure your spot, please complete payment when you RSVP) Join us, and accelerate your road to fluency today! We can't wait to welcome you. **Hear From Our Learners:** "The Language games session provides a well-structured and immersive way of learning. Even as a beginner I am able to practice all aspects of the language and have learnt a lot whilst having fun!" - Jeremy Smithers "The Sunday games session is in a classroom environment but relaxed with organized team-based games designed to facilitate conversation. It’s a good way to consolidate what you know and pick up some new vocab. The folks who attend vary massively in ability so it’s not competitive, but more a chance to learn from people who are more advanced and help along newbies. I recommend it!" - Mark Mansell \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Take your Mandarin beyond the event.** 🤝 If you’re looking for a bit more structure to go along with your conversation practice, let’s chat! We're offering **FREE 1-on-1 advice sessions** to help you find the perfect learning path. Get a professional assessment of your level so you can study with confidence. **No commitment** required. [Book your Free Session](https://eu.bigin.online/org20070515371/bookings/course-advice) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **China Unbound** is the best place to learn practical Chinese for adults. While most schools prioritise grammar and writing, China Unbound empowers you to confidently converse, understand, and actively apply Chinese in real-world situations. Join us and discover a fun, fast, and personalised way to master Chinese! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **FAQ 常见问题::** **What if I don’t feel my Chinese is good enough to join?** Don’t worry, our hosts will be on hand to offer support and help you participate. Many are also group exercises, so you can lean on stronger members too. **What games will I be playing?** You'll be diving into a variety of engaging and interactive language activities specifically designed to match your proficiency level! Think fun, familiar formats like Articulate, and creative role-play scenarios. Our games are carefully designed (by us!) to intensively develop your speaking and listening abilities, providing you with comprehensive language input. In addition, every game is expertly facilitated by our experienced tutors. They provide real-time support and guidance, ensure activities are well-structured for optimal learning, and offer clear explanations and consolidation of any new vocabulary or concepts that emerge. It's learning through play, with expert support! **I’m not into games, is it still for me?** Yes!! Think of it as immersive practice, not gaming. Even if you’re not a gamer, you will enjoy learning Mandarin this way! Our activities are designed to boost your vocabulary, pronunciation, and fluency in a natural and engaging way. **Are there any discounts for Chinese lessons for members?** Yes, you can use code MEETUP10 for your exclusive £10 discount on our [Chinese courses](https://china-unbound.co.uk/personal/) site-wide!

We will be meeting at The Racketeer! We will divide into smaller groups to discuss this month's book. It will be very obvious when you arrive to the pub, where our group is, but please feel free to give me a call if you are struggling to find us. For new members, shoot me a message on meetup and I will send through my phone number!

For the first meeting of 2026, we will read Andy Weir's 2022 novel, *Project Hail Mary*. 'Set in the near future, it centers on school teacher and former biologist Ryland Grace, who wakes up aboard a spacecraft afflicted with amnesia.' (Wikipedia) ''Charting the desperate last-chance mission of a lone astronaut to safeguard our planet, *Project Hail Mary* is a riveting interstellar adventure from the bestselling author of *The Martian*." -Waterstones https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54493401-project-hail-mary The meeting will take place at The Folly on Gracechurch St (the weekend vibe there is quite different from the weekday evening one...). Join us for a delicious brunch/lunch as we dive into this sci-fi thriller! N.B. We will be charging an event fee of £3, non-refundable, to discourage no-shows and contribute to the running costs of the group. Please only sign up if you intend to come along as space is limited to make for an effective discussion!

This event is open to anyone who works in or is interested in the tech industry, whether you are a developer, designer, engineer, entrepreneur, student, or hobbyist. You will be able to meet new people, share your experiences, learn from others, and find potential collaborators or mentors. Attending our events earns you [Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points](https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/how-to-get-cpd-points). CPD offers numerous benefits, including skill enhancement, career progression, and up-to-date knowledge. It helps professionals stay competent, advance in their careers, and maintain professional credibility. We usually start around 2 p.m. at The Crown pub, following the earlier Brunch event. The Crown offers a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to suit all tastes and burgers for those who missed the brunch. The pub offers a Lunch Special between 12 and 4pm for a Cheeseburger with fries for £9 & schooners for £4. It is worth noting that whilst the event is free, the food and drinks aren't. Come thirsty, curious, and ready to have a great time!

2026 may be the last year many developers write code by hand. We need coding agents to solve complex problems in production codebases, but vibe coding alone won’t get us there. Vibe coding is all gas, no brakes. It burns up the context window until the agent slips on its own slop. You can go fast at first, but the more you stuff into the context window, the more tangled its outputs get. While the industry is rapidly increasing code generation speed, we still have to understand, review, merge, and maintain what gets shipped. This talk featuring Michael Geiger will outline how coding agents (Claude Code + Gas Town) work and a framework for orchestrating them to solve complicated problems in complex codebases. It’s about steering the model: doing the research to align intent, planning the approach up front, implementing in parallel steps, and breaking early. Human judgment still matters, but it should be spent on high-leverage decisions: what to build, what to forbid, and “what is quality?”, not cleaning up slop. Attendees will leave with a checklist to identify workflow and environment gaps that hold agents back, so you and your team can ship higher-quality software starting tomorrow.

* Who Can Attend * The Central Ohio .Net Developers Group meetings are free and open to the public! All developers; professional, student, and hobbiest are welcome and encouraged to attend. * When we meet * The Central Ohio .Net Developers Group meets on the 4th Thursday of every month. * Where we meet * Please check our Meetup group link below for location details! * Join our Meetup Group * https://www.meetup.com/Central-Ohio-NET-Developers-Group-CONDG/

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 **Abstract** GitHub Copilot is rapidly changing how developers write, understand, and maintain code. Powered by generative AI and deeply integrated into modern development environments, Copilot acts as an intelligent coding assistant, helping developers move faster while maintaining quality and focus. In this session, we’ll explore what GitHub Copilot is, how it works, and where it fits into a real-world developer workflow. We’ll break down what Copilot can (and cannot) do, where it can be used, and how licensing differs for individuals and organizations. Most importantly, this talk goes beyond theory with a live, hands-on demo showcasing Copilot inside the IDE and on GitHub, demonstrating how it can assist with code generation, refactoring, learning new APIs, and accelerating day-to-day development tasks. Designed for developers, technical leads, and engineering managers, this session provides a practical introduction to AI-assisted development, highlights best practices for getting value from Copilot, and closes with guidance on how to continue learning and evolving alongside this rapidly advancing tool. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how GitHub Copilot can enhance productivity, improve developer experience, and fit into modern software teams today, not someday. **YouTube Link** TBA

## Learn Infrastructure-as-Code (the FUN Way) — Through Minecraft 🎮☁️ **Joint Meetup: Azure CBUS × Columbus HashiCorp User Group × DevOps Columbus** What if learning Terraform and Infrastructure-as-Code didn’t feel like a whitepaper… but more like a game? Join us for a joint Azure CBUS, Columbus HashiCorp User Group, and DevOps Columbus meetup where **Mark Tinderholt** \(Principal Architect\, Microsoft Azure \| HashiCorp Ambassador \| “The Azure Terraformer”\) shows how **Minecraft** can be used as a surprisingly powerful way to understand real-world Infrastructure-as-Code concepts. In this session, Mark will demonstrate how Terraform and Azure can be used to provision, configure, and manage Minecraft servers—while teaching the same patterns you’d use for production cloud infrastructure. ### What we’ll cover * Infrastructure-as-Code fundamentals using **Terraform** * Provisioning real infrastructure on **Azure** * Applying **IaC best practices** (immutability, repeatability, versioning) * How playful environments like Minecraft make complex concepts *click* * Why learning through experimentation beats click-ops every time ### Who should attend * Developers, platform engineers, and cloud engineers * Terraform users (new or experienced) * Anyone curious about Infrastructure-as-Code but tired of boring examples * Minecraft fans who want to see it used in a totally unexpected way No prior Minecraft experience required—just curiosity and a willingness to learn infrastructure the fun way. Come for the blocks, stay for the Terraform. 🧱➡️📐 Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! https://sessionize.com/azure-cbus-2026/

## Details \#\# Learn Infrastructure\-as\-Code \(the FUN Way\) — Through Minecraft 🎮☁️ **Joint Meetup: DevOps Columbus - Azure CBUS - Columbus HashiCorp User Group** What if learning Terraform and Infrastructure-as-Code didn’t feel like a whitepaper… but more like a game? Join us for a joint DevOps Columbus, Azure CBUS and Columbus HashiCorp User Group meetup where **Mark Tinderholt** \(Principal Architect\, Microsoft Azure \| HashiCorp Ambassador \| “The Azure Terraformer”\) shows how **Minecraft** can be used as a surprisingly powerful way to understand real-world Infrastructure-as-Code concepts. In this session, Mark will demonstrate how Terraform and Azure can be used to provision, configure, and manage Minecraft servers—while teaching the same patterns you’d use for production cloud infrastructure. \#\#\# What we’ll cover * Infrastructure-as-Code fundamentals using **Terraform** * Provisioning real infrastructure on **Azure** * Applying **IaC best practices** (immutability, repeatability, versioning) * How playful environments like Minecraft make complex concepts *click* * Why learning through experimentation beats click-ops every time \#\#\# Who should attend * Developers, platform engineers, and cloud engineers * Terraform users (new or experienced) * Anyone curious about Infrastructure-as-Code but tired of boring examples * Minecraft fans who want to see it used in a totally unexpected way No prior Minecraft experience required—just curiosity and a willingness to learn infrastructure the fun way. Come for the blocks, stay for the Terraform. 🧱➡️📐

## Learn Infrastructure-as-Code (the FUN Way) — Through Minecraft 🎮☁️ **Joint Meetup: Azure CBUS × Columbus HashiCorp User Group** What if learning Terraform and Infrastructure-as-Code didn’t feel like a whitepaper… but more like a game? Join us for a joint Azure CBUS and Columbus HashiCorp User Group meetup where **Mark Tinderholt** \(Principal Architect\, Microsoft Azure \| HashiCorp Ambassador \| “The Azure Terraformer”\) shows how **Minecraft** can be used as a surprisingly powerful way to understand real-world Infrastructure-as-Code concepts. In this session, Mark will demonstrate how Terraform and Azure can be used to provision, configure, and manage Minecraft servers—while teaching the same patterns you’d use for production cloud infrastructure. ### What we’ll cover * Infrastructure-as-Code fundamentals using **Terraform** * Provisioning real infrastructure on **Azure** * Applying **IaC best practices** (immutability, repeatability, versioning) * How playful environments like Minecraft make complex concepts *click* * Why learning through experimentation beats click-ops every time ### Who should attend * Developers, platform engineers, and cloud engineers * Terraform users (new or experienced) * Anyone curious about Infrastructure-as-Code but tired of boring examples * Minecraft fans who want to see it used in a totally unexpected way No prior Minecraft experience required—just curiosity and a willingness to learn infrastructure the fun way. Come for the blocks, stay for the Terraform. 🧱➡️📐 Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! https://sessionize.com/cbus-hug-2026/