Big Data for Social Media

Join the community for the first Omni AI Analytics Meetup in London. Spend an evening with people who work hands-on with analytics, data, and AI every day. You will hear real stories about putting modern tools into practice, learn how experts build data products, and explore what this means for business outcomes. **\- \- LINE\-UP \- \-** **Building a Self-Service Analytics Strategy** *[Lee Simpson, Chief Financial Officer at Evolve](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-simpson-447bbb3b/)* Lee will share practical lessons from strategising Evolve’s self-service analytics capabilities. He will cover: * The business challenges that led to a shift towards self-service * The technology choices that supported those goals, including Snowflake and Omni * How the team tracks and proves measurable outcomes from analytics investments **How to Use AI-Powered Analytics to Accelerate Insights** *[Zoltán Csonka, Principal Data Consultant at Infinite Lambda](https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoltan-csonka/)* Zoltán will walk through a modern, AI-driven approach to BI, where natural language helps teams access consistent and trusted answers. In this session, Zoltán will explore: * How AI can reduce manual modelling * How to use Snowflake’s data layer to keep AI-generated answers reliable and aligned with governed data * How to review and validate AI output * Where AI works well and where you still need a human in the loop **\- \- TIME & PLACE \- \-** Wednesday, 29 April, 6 pm at Snowflake’s London office 3 Crown Pl London EC2A 4EB **\- \- ABOUT THE COMMUNITY \- \-** The Omni AI Analytics Meetup is a casual group that cares about building better analytics. Come along to hear from peers, meet old friends and make new ones.

Databricks are bringing **DevConnect** back to London for an evening of technical chat, practical demos, and time with people who build the platform. This one is **organised and hosted by the Databricks Developer Relations team**, at the Databricks London office. Expect a mix of new features, real-world lessons, and the sort of “how does that work then?” conversations you do not get from a slide deck. **Important! To attend, register here:** [events.databricks.com/devconnect-london](https://events.databricks.com/devconnect-london) **Who’s it for?** If you work anywhere around data engineering, analytics, ML, or GenAI and you like getting into the details, you’ll be in good company. **What you’ll get out of it** * **Deep dives** into Lakebase, Genie, Knowledge Assistant, Unity Catalog, and getting AI agents into production with MLflow. * **People you can actually ask questions to**: Databricks folks across DevRel, product, field engineering, and MVPs. * **Networking, bites and beverages** (translation: you won’t be surviving on conference mints). * **Swag raffle**, plus **access to hands-on training and guided labs via Databricks Academy Labs after the event**. **Agenda** * **5:00pm – 6:00pm:** Registration & mingling * **6:00pm – 6:15pm:** Welcome remarks * **6:15pm – 6:45pm:** *Lakebase: unlock operational use cases with agents and apps on your lakehouse data* * **6:45pm – 7:15pm:** *Simplify your stack: Genie, Knowledge Assistant, and IDP (with Unity Catalog as the governance layer)* * **7:15pm – 7:45pm:** *Operationalising high quality AI agents: experimentation and evaluation through to production with MLflow* * **7:45pm – 8:00pm:** Closing remarks * **8:00pm – 9:00pm:** Networking reception *Speakers are listed as “coming soon” on the event page, so keep an eye on the registration link for the latest.* #### **When & Where:** **Wednesday 29 April 2026, 5:00pm – 9:00pm** **Databricks London, 11–14 Windmill St, London, W1T 2JG** **⚠️ *Important: you must register via Databricks*** **To attend, register here:** [events.databricks.com/devconnect-london](https://events.databricks.com/devconnect-london)

Register on the [Event Website](https://bit.ly/devconnect-london-ac)[ ](https://bit.ly/devconnect-denver-AIcamp)is required for admission. RSVP on meetup is turned off. **Databricks DevConnect** is a technical meetup where data and AI practitioners dig into the details, collaborate, learn, and find their people. Together, we’ll chat about new features, dive into meaty topics, share real-world experiences, and explore new ways to use Databricks so you can become the best developer you can be. **​​Why You Can't Miss This Event:** 🏆 **Become a 10x data and AI practitioner** by using the best of Databricks for your Data + AI projects. 🧠 **Learn from exclusive experts** you won’t hear anywhere else, including Product Managers, DevRel, Field Engineers, and MVPs. ​​​🤝 **Connect with your community** and build lasting relationships with fellow practitioners and Databricks Developer Advocates, MVPs, and Product teams. ​​👕 **Get those goodies:** Swag will be raffled off throughout the event and attendees will get access to hands-on training and guided labs through Databricks Academy Labs post event! | 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Registration & Mingling | | ----------------- | ----------------------- | | 6:00 PM - 6:05 PM | Welcome Remarks | | 6:05 PM - 6:15 PM | Partner Welcome | | 6:15 PM - 6:45 PM | Session #1: Lakebase - unlock operational use cases with agents and apps on your lakehouse data | | 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM | Session #2: Simplify your stack so business users never message you again: Genie, Knowledge Assistant, and IDP | | 7:15 PM - 7:45 PM | Session #3: Operationalizing High Quality AI Agents: From Experimentation and Evaluation to Production with MLflow | | 7:45 PM - 8:00 PM | Closing Remarks | | 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Networking Reception with bites and beverages | **Speakers:** * **Holly Smith,** Staff Developer Advocate, Databricks [LinkedIn](https://uk.linkedin.com/in/holly-smith-data) * **Oleksandra Bovkun,** Sr. Developer Advocate, Databricks [LinkedIn](https://nl.linkedin.com/in/oleksandra-bovkun) * **Robert Pack,** Staff Developer Advocate, Databricks[LinkedIn](https://de.linkedin.com/in/robert-pack) * **​Gavita Regunath,** Advancing Analytics *CAO* * **Simon Whiteley,** Advancing Analytics, *CTO* [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-whiteley-uk) * **Huong Vu,** Databricks *Sr. AI Engineer, AI FDE* [LinkedIn](https://uk.linkedin.com/in/huong-vu)

Register on the [Event Website](https://bit.ly/devconnect-london-ac)[ ](https://bit.ly/devconnect-denver-AIcamp)is required for admission. RSVP on meetup is turned off. **Databricks DevConnect** is a technical meetup where data and AI practitioners dig into the details, collaborate, learn, and find their people. Together, we’ll chat about new features, dive into meaty topics, share real-world experiences, and explore new ways to use Databricks so you can become the best developer you can be. **​​Why You Can't Miss This Event:** 🏆 **Become a 10x data and AI practitioner** by using the best of Databricks for your Data + AI projects. 🧠 **Learn from exclusive experts** you won’t hear anywhere else, including Product Managers, DevRel, Field Engineers, and MVPs. ​​​🤝 **Connect with your community** and build lasting relationships with fellow practitioners and Databricks Developer Advocates, MVPs, and Product teams. ​​👕 **Get those goodies:** Swag will be raffled off throughout the event and attendees will get access to hands-on training and guided labs through Databricks Academy Labs post event! | 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Registration & Mingling | | ----------------- | ----------------------- | | 6:00 PM - 6:05 PM | Welcome Remarks | | 6:05 PM - 6:15 PM | Partner Welcome | | 6:15 PM - 6:45 PM | Session #1: Lakebase - unlock operational use cases with agents and apps on your lakehouse data | | 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM | Session #2: Simplify your stack so business users never message you again: Genie, Knowledge Assistant, and IDP | | 7:15 PM - 7:45 PM | Session #3: Operationalizing High Quality AI Agents: From Experimentation and Evaluation to Production with MLflow | | 7:45 PM - 8:00 PM | Closing Remarks | | 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Networking Reception with bites and beverages | **Speakers:** * **Holly Smith,** Staff Developer Advocate, Databricks [LinkedIn](https://uk.linkedin.com/in/holly-smith-data) * **Oleksandra Bovkun,** Sr. Developer Advocate, Databricks [LinkedIn](https://nl.linkedin.com/in/oleksandra-bovkun) * **Robert Pack,** Staff Developer Advocate, Databricks[LinkedIn](https://de.linkedin.com/in/robert-pack) * **​Gavita Regunath,** Advancing Analytics *CAO* * **Simon Whiteley,** Advancing Analytics, *CTO* [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-whiteley-uk) * **Huong Vu,** Databricks *Sr. AI Engineer, AI FDE* [LinkedIn](https://uk.linkedin.com/in/huong-vu)

**RSVP TO ATTEND THIS EVENT. ALL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE TO ATTEND THIS EVENT..** **Welcome to Socialite Connections –** **Business Networking: Sustainability, Green Tech Startups** Join us for an inspiring event for visionary Sustainability & Green Tech Startups and Entrepreneurs committed to transforming our planet through groundbreaking sustainable technologies and eco-friendly solutions! Are you passionate about driving positive environmental change through innovation and technology? Do you believe in the power of collaboration to accelerate the transition towards a cleaner, greener world? If so, we invite to attend this exclusive event of likeminded individuals dedicated to promoting sustainable practices. **Ticket & Entry: Here is the payment link:** https://fatso.ma/3APD **We start the event at 6.00pm with a warm welcome.** Having an open-minded approach is ideal, as it will enable you to establish new connections. We have hired the private room downstairs. **The Anthologist -** Located in the heart of the City, on Gresham Street by Bank station, The Anthologist is a gorgeous bar & restaurant with a cosy outside seating area. We are ready to welcome you with delicious travel inspired dishes, gorgeous spritzes & bubbly. **Event Schedule** **18:00 – 21:00 \| When you arrive\,** your name will be checked off the guest list, you will be given a name badge and you will be introduced to each other. **19:00 – 19:30 \| One Minute Elevator Pitch:** All attendees will be given the opportunity to introduce themselves to everyone in the room to talk about your startups or ideals. (Pitch starts at 19.00pm sharp, please dont be late) **19:30pm \- 21:00 \| Network & chill: I**t will be a free form event where guests can mingle amongst each other in a relaxed environment, when the pitches are finished. **Why Attend?** Connect with like-minded professionals passionate about creating meaningful environmental impact, discovering breakthrough technologies, developing scalable solutions to our global sustainability challenges. Connect with professionals from various industries who share a common interest in sustainability. Whether you're in renewable energy, sustainable design, eco-friendly technology, or simply looking to make more sustainable choices in your business, this event provides the opportunity to network and foster valuable connections. **Who should Attend** Connect with Sustainability **& Green Tech Startups and Entrepreneurs** in a relaxed setting. **Corporate sustainability managers, Environmental consultants, Green technology entrepreneurs, ESG professionals, Impact investors, Climate innovation specialists, Environmental Engineers and Scientists, Clean Energy Enthusiasts, Policy Makers and Regulators, Nonprofit and NGO Representatives, Students Pursuing Sustainability Studies, Sustainability professionals and advocates, Environmental researchers and activists, Sustainability-focused start-ups, Working Professionals.** **One Minute Elevator Pitch:** All attendees will be given the opportunity to introduce themselves to everyone in the room talk about your startups or ideals. (Pitch starts at 19:00pm sharp, please dont be late) **Tickets are limited to just 40 attendees.** We like to make sure everyone gets the opportunity to talk to each other. **Ticket & Entry: Here is the payment link:** https://fatso.ma/3APD You are invited to join the dedicated Whatsapp group for the event and start networking before the actual event. Register now to secure your spot and be part of this transformative networking experience! **Tickets need to be bought online in advance to attend this event. Tickets are not available at the door.** **Refund policy: There is no refund at this event.....**

**Building a World Model for your organisation in Microsoft Azure** In this session, Raj Toora will explore how organisations can build a “world model” of their business using Microsoft Azure. By combining knowledge graphs, ontologies, and modern AI tooling, firms can move beyond fragmented data into a connected, queryable representation of their operations. We’ll look at how technologies like Neo4j and Cypher enable rich relationship modelling, and how emerging Fabric capabilities around graphs and ontologies are bringing these concepts closer to mainstream data platforms. We’ll also examine how Azure AI Foundry and GraphRAG patterns can sit on top of this graph foundation, enabling LLMs to reason over structured relationships rather than isolated documents. This allows organisations to ground AI responses in real business context, improving accuracy and relevance. The session will demonstrate how combining vector search with graph traversal unlocks more intelligent, explainable AI experiences. Security and governance are critical in this space. Raj will cover how Open Policy Agent (OPA) can be used to enforce fine-grained access controls across graph data and AI workflows, alongside techniques such as data obfuscation and masking to mitigate data leakage and insider risk. These controls ensure sensitive information remains protected while still enabling meaningful analysis and AI-driven insights. Finally, we’ll bring this to life in a legal context. For law firms, a world model enables powerful new questions: “Find similar client,” “Analyse similar contracts” or “How are clients, cases, and outcomes connected?” By structuring knowledge in this way, firms can unlock institutional intelligence, accelerate case preparation, and gain a competitive edge through better-informed decision making. **About the Speaker** Raj Toora is the Principal Strategist for Emerging Technology for HSFK, a top international law firm, where he leads the translation of cutting-edge innovation into practical enterprise strategy and execution. He is responsible for shaping the firm’s direction across AI, data, and digital platforms, ensuring alignment with long-term business outcomes and its Target Operating Model. Raj works across architecture, security, operations, and practice leadership to turn emerging trends into actionable investment and delivery decisions, with a focus on scalable, sustainable transformation. His work centres on building systems of intelligence, advancing AI platforms, and enabling data-driven decision making that improves both client value and organisational performance.

TBA

🎉 **The London Data Science & AI Meet-up** 🎉 **Our two Speakers:** [Vidhya Karthikeyan (Storio Group)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidhyalakshmi-karthikeyan/) [Luke Tonin (Funding Circle)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/luketonin/) 📅 **RSVP opens 13th April (3.5 weeks before the event)** 📍 **Agenda** **6:00pm** – Doors open, networking, food & drinks **7:00pm** – Talks kick off **8:30pm** – More drinks & networking @ local pub This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with some of the UK’s top Data Science, Machine Learning, and AI professionals — sharing challenges, ideas, and real-world learnings. The **London Data Science & AI Meet-up** is a community for professionals working across Data Science, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence. We host regular events featuring talks from practitioners and leaders applying advanced analytics, building ML systems, and scaling AI in production environments. The community is ideal for: * Data Scientists * Machine Learning Engineers * AI Engineers * Applied Scientists * Data & AI Leaders *** The meet-up is organised by **[Cognify](cognifysearch.com)**, the recruitment partner for modern data and AI teams. Our sponsor is [Omni](http://omni.co/), an AI-powered BI platform that helps people use data to do their best work. Whether users prefer AI, Excel, point-and-click exploration, or SQL, Omni enables fast, trusted answers from a governed semantic model. We’re always on the lookout for: * **Guest speakers** working on interesting AI/ML problems * **Venues** to host future events If you’d like to get involved, come chat to one of the Cognify team at the event. *** If you’re keen to dive deeper into industry insights, check out the **Stacked Data Podcast** for conversations with data and AI leaders. **Listen on:** [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/24fIpekn8WfRDZsVHNcf7Q), [Apple Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/stacked-data-podcast/id1700301417) or [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/@CognifySearch) 🚫 **No-Show Policy** If you miss 2 consecutive events, or 2 out of 3 events, you won’t be able to attend the next one. We hope you understand — this helps keep things fair for venues and other attendees.

In this session, Richard Jarvis, Senior Product Designer at Rightmove, breaks down the redesign of the app’s search entry point, exploring how user insight, design craft, and business priorities come together when millions of people are using your product every day. **Event Overview** Rightmove is one of the UK’s most-used apps, woven into daily routines much like social media. In this session, Richard Jarvis shares how his team redesigned a critical part of the Rightmove app, revealing what it takes to ship meaningful design changes at massive scale. **01 - Redesigning the Front Door** A deep dive into the redesign of Rightmove’s search entry point. Explore the problem space, user insights, and decision-making process behind evolving a critical interaction that millions rely on every day, and why small changes can have outsized impact at scale. **02 - Designing With Influence in Large Organisations** Designing great experiences isn’t just about pixels. Learn how Richard navigated stakeholder alignment, trade-offs, and organisational constraints to advocate for the right native app experience inside a complex, mature product environment. **03 - From Insight to Shipped Outcome** Follow the full journey from initial insight to live product. See how assumptions were challenged, the status quo was questioned, and design decisions were tied directly to measurable outcomes, turning a bold idea into a shipped solution used by millions. **Speakers** **Richard Jarvis - Senior Product Designer, Rightmove** Richard is a Senior Product Designer at Rightmove, where he works on the core search experience within the native apps team. He focuses on solving complex problems through research-led, accessible design and close collaboration with engineering and product partners. His work centres on shaping effective native app experiences and influencing product direction within cross-functional teams.

Join us for another evening at #WPLDN. This month, Louise Towler shares what AI actually looks like inside a WordPress agency, day to day. We'll follow that with a hosted, room-wide discussion on levelling up in WordPress, what the wider shift happening around us means for the work, and what it asks of us as a community. Two sessions, both grounded in the world WordPress competes in, rather than the world inside it. 📅 **Date:** Thursday, 30 April 2026 ⏰ **Time:** 6:00 PM BST 🎟️ **Cost:** Free (Registration Required) \-\-\- **Session 1: How we're integrating AI into our agency workflow** 🤝 **Speaker:** Louise Towler ([Indigo Tree](https://indigotree.co.uk)) Everyone's talking about AI transforming the way we work. But what does that actually look like inside a WordPress agency, day to day? Louise will share what Indigo Tree has been doing over the past year, integrating tools like Cursor, Sourcery, Claude, and Teamwork's MCP into real client work and reporting workflows. How they approached the change management, what genuinely saved time, what created more work than it solved, and what they're still figuring out. Louise is the Founder and Managing Director of Indigo Tree, a digital agency trusted by businesses and non-profits across the UK. With over 30 years of experience in software and website development, she leads a team of developers, designers, and digital marketers delivering high-performance WordPress websites, content strategy, and technical SEO. A regular conference speaker and recipient of a Women in Innovation Award, Louise is passionate about creating websites that are inclusive, fast, and sustainable. \-\-\- **Session 2: Levelling up in WordPress, a hosted discussion** 🤝 **Host:** Dan Maby The world WordPress operates in is shifting quickly. Clients expect more. Competition is sharper. AI is reshaping the work, the pricing, and what people are willing to pay for. "Good enough" isn't what it used to be, and the bar for working professionally in WordPress is moving up, whether we like it or not. So what does that mean for us? What does levelling up actually look like for agencies, freelancers, product builders, and everyone in between? And what does it mean for WPLDN, a community that has, if we're honest, often looked inward at the tool rather than outward at the world WordPress competes in? If the ground is moving, the conversations we have when we come together probably need to move with it. A hosted, room-wide conversation about the wider shift and what it asks of us, both professionally and as a community. Less about the tool, more about the work, the market, and what we want from the room we're standing in. Bring an opinion! \-\-\- **Schedule:** 🔹 **6:00 PM** – Doors Open & Networking 🔹 **6:30 PM** – Welcome & Session 1: Louise Towler 🔹 **7:30 PM** – Short Break & Networking 🔹 **7:45 PM** – Session 2: Discussion Hosted by Dan Maby 🔹 **8:30 PM** – Social & Wrap-Up \-\-\- **📢 RSVP Now!** Whether you're deep in AI tooling or still working out where it fits, whether you've been in WordPress for fifteen years or fifteen months, there's something here for you. Free pizza, excellent company, and post-event socials at a local bar afterwards. We'll see you there! 🎉 \-\-\- **Venue Information** **The Bridge** is a charity supporting women to make positive choices and encouraging improvements to fitness, health, and wellbeing. The venue features a plant-based café (supplied by Girls Who Grind Coffee) and is just a 5-minute walk from London Bridge Station. \-\-\- **Massive thanks to our sponsors who make these free events possible:** [DreamHost](https://www.dreamhost.com/partners/wpldn/), [PodcasterPlus](https://www.podcasterplus.com/?utm_source=wpldn&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=partnership), [Mollie](https://www.mollie.com/gb/integrations/woocommerce), and [Kinsta](https://kinsta.com/) \-\-\- If you're interested in being a featured speaker at an upcoming event, we'd love to hear from you at [https://wpldn.uk/speak](https://wpldn.uk/speak). **🎥 - Media Release Terms** By attending, you understand and accept that portions of the event may have audio/photo/video-recorded and/or live-streamed and may be used by the organisers. You agree that the organisers have the right and permission to use and publish such media for any purpose in any format, including online and offline, now and ever after, without further compensation, permission, or notification. You understand that all official recordings from the event are the exclusive property of the organisers, available under the Creative Commons Attribution­ShareAlike license for general use, and you do not ask for nor expect compensation or notification of the use of official recordings or photographs in which you appear or speak. Please inform an organisational team member at the event's start if you do not wish to appear in photos or videos.

**Formerly 'THE HEARTH', this event has evolved... (you can read the story and rationale [here](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/p/creative-community-building))** CREATIVE COMMUNITY BUILDING is **A community for people interested in building community 😊** **HOW IT WORKS:** The IRL SOCIAL is a place to meet and exchange ideas with fellow community builders in person. (The other dimension to CREATIVE COMMUNITY BUILDING is a weekly online ‘VIRTUAL CAFE’, which is more focussed on workshopping ideas, challenges, and practices. You can find the first VIRTUAL CAFE [here](https://www.meetup.com/experimentsin/events/314425588).) The IRL SOCIAL is largely unstructured, but we will always have a theme or a prompt to get conversations going. **This time the theme is: AUTHENTICITY.** I will share a few related questions in the comments on the day. My working model of community building includes 4 stages: STARTING, BUILDING, SUSTAINING, and EVOLVING. (These are not linear, but cyclical because when your community reaches the ‘evolving’ stage, it's also ‘starting’ a new chapter.) Based on feedback from previous sessions, people sometimes find it useful to talk to others who are at the same stage as them, so I will give everyone the opportunity to organise in this way initially. (This is optional.) I will invite the group to shuffle around a couple of times so we don’t miss out on meeting a range of people. The rest of the evening will be unstructured space to: * Continue conversations * Discuss collaborations * Share tips * Get to know each other * Get to know about each others’ respective communities **NOTES ON THE GENERAL ATMOSPHERE:** * Laid back, light, fun * Respectful of each other's time, views, ideas * Generous listening and low pressure sharing **WHERE WE'LL MEET:** Due to unpredictable group sizes with free events, I’m going to start off with holding these socials in public spaces rather than booked rooms. This can comes with **an element of unpredictable London chaos (i.e. background noise, weather, etc.), so please be up for that if you decide to come along.** On this occasion, the plan is for us to meet at The Southbank Centre on Level 2, near the Festival Bar & Kitchen. If the weather is good, we might relocate outside. **I will let you know the exact location in the comments below on the day.** **WHO SHOULD COME:** Everyone with an interest in community. This group is not about being experts, it is about learning together. That is, bringing our various experiences and lenses on the world together to support, inspire, and uplift one another. The more perspectives, the richer the conversation. **YOUR HOST:** I'm Bonny. I've created a couple of successful communities (e.g. [THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS](https://www.meetup.com/thought-experiments-in-pubs) & [THE SUNRISE CLUB](https://www.meetup.com/the-sunrise-club/)) and have a lot of experience hosting groups in a range of places (from prison and hospitals, to private events). I'm always learning and my best ideas come out of conversations with others :-). You can read some of my thoughts on community building [here.](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/) **One of my inspirations for community building is the Ancient Greek Goddess, Hestia:** Hestia is the goddess of the hearth (hence the former name for this group). She is also the goddess of community, hospitality towards strangers, home, and warmth. Known for her inner strength, calm demeanour, and commitment to peace, I think Hestia embodies qualities that can be very helpful when cultivating community! 🔥 **I’m curious to hear who/what your influences are 😊** [WHATSAPP GROUP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/HiRXL7B6QUpGAmZirk20kY?mode=wwc) \- stay in the loop [SUBSTACK](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/) \- sign up for the newsletter I'm looking forward to meeting you and hearing your ideas! If you would like to further support these meetups, you can do so here: [https://buymeacoffee.com/bonnyastor](https://buymeacoffee.com/bonnyastor) Thank you!

## Details Welcome to the DevSecOps London Gathering April Event on Wednesday 29 April! We bring you two speakers, as well as the usual conversations, pizza and beer! 📍 **Hosted at Civo Tech Junction, 1st Floor, 32-37 Cowper Street, London, EC2A 4AW** 📅 **Wednesday, 29 April** 🕕 **6:00–8:00 PM** ## **Talk** **Abstracts:** **Talk 1** APIs are the hidden infrastructure that connects everything, like the plumbing of the modern age – though much like plumbing, **you don't realise you've got a problem until it’s too late**… This is doubly true for the AI era. It doesn't matter if you're orchestrating agents through OpenClaw, Warcraft 3 or MCP – **APIs remain the way AI escapes the bounds of the chat box into the real world**. But this new modality of APIs unfortunately didn't ship with more security. We’ve spent years lumping APIs into “web security” and calling it a day. As AI adoption accelerates, **API abuse is becoming the easiest way to escalate impact**: broken object-level auth, excessive data exposure, workflow manipulation, and agent overreach. **So what actually matters and how are attackers exploiting it?** Join **Dr Katie Paxton-Fear** as we explore API hacking as its own discipline, in the AI era. No generic web security theory. Instead, you’ll walk away understanding: * What makes **APIs uniquely vulnerable** * The bugs attackers **actually look for** * How **AI-driven workflows** expand impact * How to **test your own APIs effectively** **Katie's bio** Dr Katie Paxton-Fear is a hacker and security advocate at Semgrep – she used to make applications, and now she breaks them. A former developer, she sees security vulnerabilities as small mistakes by overstressed developers, and wants to find ways to make their life easier while making sure that we are all secure. She's found vulnerabilities in everything from the military to AI, in her own words 'without really knowing what I was doing'. She is passionate about giving back to the security community, delivering security training, writing and sharing her security research, and also through her YouTube channel – where she teaches almost 100,000 subscribers how to follow in her footsteps! She combines easy-to-understand explanations with key technical details, turning security into something everyone can understand and engage with. She's been featured as an expert in the Wall Street Journal, BBC News, ZDNet, The Daily Swig, Vodafone and more. **Talk 2** APIs are the hidden infrastructure powering modern cloud systems connecting services, platforms, and now increasingly, AI agents. In the AI era, APIs are no longer just consumed by users, they're being called, chained, and orchestrated by autonomous systems at scale. Whether it's agent workflows, microservices, or cloud-native platforms, APIs are the bridge between intelligent systems and real-world actions. However, while adoption has accelerated, security has not kept pace. Many organisations still treat API security as an extension of traditional web security, overlooking critical gaps introduced through architecture, identity design, and DevSecOps practices. So where are things actually going wrong? Join me to explore how modern cloud architectures unintentionally expose APIs from misconfigured gateways and over-permissioned identities to weak trust boundaries across services. The session will also examine how AI-driven workflows amplify these risks, turning small design flaws into large-scale vulnerabilities. **Sriram's Bio** Sriram Kumar is a Solution Designer with multiple years of experience in cloud and DevOps engineering, specialising in Microsoft Azure. He has a strong background in designing and securing cloud-native architectures, including API Management, identity-driven access, and enterprise-scale infrastructure. Sriram has worked across multiple organisations delivering secure, scalable solutions, with hands-on experience in Cloud networking, CI/CD pipelines, and DevSecOps practices. His work often involves solving real-world challenges around API security, cloud governance, and system resilience in complex environments. Beyond his professional work, Sriram actively contributes to the community through NGO initiatives and mentoring students, supporting them in building careers in cloud and technology. With a practical, architecture-first approach, Sriram focuses on bridging the gap between development, operations, and security, helping teams build systems that are not only functional but secure by design.

We’re excited to exclusively invite BNI members across London and the UK, along with their extended connections, to an evening of high-quality business networking at the Dotsquares London office. Expect great conversations, valuable connections, and a relaxed atmosphere with drinks and food provided. Join us to connect, collaborate, and grow your network.

Join my group direct from here: [https://www.meetup.com/ian-s-history-walks/?eventOrigin=your_groups](https://www.meetup.com/ian-s-history-walks/?eventOrigin=your_groups) This event is for all those who missed the walk in November. Find out about the main characters in this story. Why it should not have happened. I will tell you about the devastation in the city and see the rebuilding of many of the churches and visit some of them. We will walk along the direction of the fire to reveal its many interesting stories and human tragedies. I am a qualified tour guide. The walk will last 2 hours with opportunities to use toilets. The tour fee is £10. Cash or card **Please be early as we like to set off on time and can only wait 10 minutes. Don’t forget to cancel via the “Edit RSVP” button if you can’t make a walk. Your consideration is much appreciated.** **The walk goes ahead in the event of rain.**

💓 **Online Speed Dating Built for First Timers – Real Connections, Zero Pressure!** **🔴 MUST READ: RSVP Alone Won't Get You In!** To attend, you must: (1) Click your age group link below, (2) Complete registration, and (3) Finish the personality quiz. Limited spots available – register now before they're gone! **📋 Choose Your Age Range Below to Register:** - **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=476.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Indianapolis&groupurlname=local-warmth-meetups-for-mature-souls&ar=18-32&face_v=2.0) - **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=476.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Indianapolis&groupurlname=local-warmth-meetups-for-mature-souls&ar=30-46&face_v=2.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=476.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Indianapolis&groupurlname=local-warmth-meetups-for-mature-souls&ar=40-58&face_v=2.0) - **Ages 55+** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=476.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Indianapolis&groupurlname=local-warmth-meetups-for-mature-souls&ar=55+&face_v=2.0) --- 🤝 Tired of swiping with no results? Try real conversations instead! Online speed dating removes all the awkward parts of traditional dating. A friendly host guides you through each round, so all you have to do is show up and be yourself. 🎯 **Perfect for:** - Introverts who shine in one-on-one conversations - First-time speed daters seeking a welcoming, easy experience - First-timers who want to date without the pressure of face-to-face meetings - Busy professionals who value their time and comfort **How It Works** 1. **Sign Up** – Click the registration link for your age bracket above. 2. **Finish the Short Personality Assessment** – This helps us optimise your matches for the evening. 3. **Connect on Zoom** – No setup needed. Just click the link and you're in! 4. **Meet Your Matches** – Rotate through fun one-on-one rounds with Indianapolis singles who share your vibe. 5. **Discover Your Matches** – We'll notify you of any mutual interest after the event. The rest is up to you! **Event Details** - **Format:** Hosted live on Zoom – guided, fun, and stress-free - **Location:** No venue needed – just a comfy seat and a good internet connection - **Host:** Your personal guide through the evening – friendly, encouraging, and fun - **Vibe:** Light-hearted, easy-going speed dates with open-minded Indianapolis singles - **Accessibility:** Join from any device – laptop, tablet, or phone - **Duration:** About 60–90 minutes of structured, fun conversations **Frequently Asked Questions** **How long are the conversations?** Each round is a few minutes – long enough to feel a connection, short enough to keep things exciting! **What happens after the event?** We reveal mutual matches after the event. If you both liked each other, we help you connect! --- ✨ The hardest part is clicking register. After that, we make everything easy. See you there! 💘 ✨

The May Ohio North Database Training user group meeting will be held on **May 5th, 2026 at 5:00PM**. This will be a **HYBRID** event and we will be joined in person by **Sam Nasr.** You're welcome to come meet in-person at our meeting location, the offices of Improving at **[6000 Freedom Square Dr,](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Improving/@41.4004167,-81.6614462,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x8830e5b8255c5919:0xd8297060eb68fe04!4m6!3m5!1s0x8830dc7a0fe35dc9:0xbfc4710ecadfc5c!8m2!3d41.4004127!4d-81.6588713!16s%2Fg%2F1hm3hkqp3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQzMC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)** **[Unit 110,](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Improving/@41.4004167,-81.6614462,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x8830e5b8255c5919:0xd8297060eb68fe04!4m6!3m5!1s0x8830dc7a0fe35dc9:0xbfc4710ecadfc5c!8m2!3d41.4004127!4d-81.6588713!16s%2Fg%2F1hm3hkqp3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQzMC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)** **[Independence, OH 44131](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Improving/@41.4004167,-81.6614462,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x8830e5b8255c5919:0xd8297060eb68fe04!4m6!3m5!1s0x8830dc7a0fe35dc9:0xbfc4710ecadfc5c!8m2!3d41.4004127!4d-81.6588713!16s%2Fg%2F1hm3hkqp3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQzMC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)** [Teams Link ](https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/287759659366576?p=kCaammjECnUCvZzEJv)if anyone needs it after RSVP-ing for in person. If you would like to subscribe to our email list outside of Meetup, we have changed platforms recently and you will need to register [here in Kit ](https://ohio-north-data-training.kit.com/b8f036f615)instead to receive emails. Agenda: **5:00 PM EST**: Online and in-person meeting begins with a social hour. This is an unstructured hour where you can join us to catch up and meet other group members before the session starts. There will be food brought in for in-person attendees. **6:00 PM EST**: Elections, announcements, followed by our feature presentation. See below for presentation details. **7:30 PM EST**: Optionally after the main presentations, the in-person crowd may go out for snacks and drinks at a local establishment. We hope to see you there! Session Abstract ### Data Cleansing using Data Bricks Machine Learning is highly dependent on adequate data. Not only does quantity matter, but more importantly quality. In this session we’ll cover how to build a custom automated process using Data Bricks. This will provide methods for cleaning data in a data lake using functions in Azure. \*Please note, that we will be using Microsoft Teams for the online portion of this meeting. You may want to join a few minutes early to ensure you do not have any issues. If you are attending in person, there are large TVs at the office, and you do not need to bring a laptop or use Teams.

It feels like we just saw each other 🤷. Join members of the local design and UX community for our monthly breakfast. For May we’re stopping in for Rooh’s popup breakfast/cafe concept. You know someone is getting the lobster yuzu croissant, and that’s not even the prettiest thing on the menu!.

Central Ohio Radio Enthusiasts—CORE—is an informal community for anyone enthusiastic or curious about radio—whether you're new to radio and want to learn or you've been tinkering for years and want to share. Ham radio operators, GMRS users, Meshtastic fans, software-defined radio nerds, makers, and technical and non-technical folks are all welcome. No experience required or expected. This month we have **Radio Signal Analysis Using SDRs and OpenWebRX+** with **Scott McCrory**. Details are are [core.radio](https://core.radio/).

Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! https://sessionize.com/cbus-hug-2026/

**Latest Dojo Location!** **Knotty Pine Brewing** 1765 W 3rd Ave, Columbus, OH 43212 We're going to try a new dojo location for a few weeks and see how it works Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we'll have extension cords and power strips). If there's something you want to learn leave a comment on this invite so we can plan ahead. We're looking for speakers for our Monthly Meetups! Fill out the form if you are interested in presenting to the Python Community. https://forms.gle/ehSfUAC2WgR34Crq9

Join other experienced and aspiring agile coaches and professionals to: * develop and practice your coaching skills in a peer-to-peer environment * share current successes and challenges in your work environment and get support from each other * learn from each other, build better relationships and experiment with new ideas ***NOTE:*** Pre-registration is required for this event. **Please arrive 10 minutes early** to check in at the security desk.