BioInformatics

**Welcome back you fine, FINE people!** We do apologise for the two month hiatus, we've missed you terribly! I'm glad to say that, of course, our hearts HAVE GROWN EVEN FONDER for missing you and we couldn't be more excited to see you all at **APRIL GOPHERS @ AUTOGENAI!!!** So come and join us for some food, drinks and top notch (\*aspirational\*) programming chat, or at the very least some chat about the last most interesting thing you made Claude Code do. Top points for "the dishes". As always, a huge thank you to **AutogenAI** for hosting us this month, and **Dexory** for sponsoring the event! ==== 📓 **Agenda**📓 ===== (Certain timings and orders may be subject to change) **6:30pm:** Arrival, Food & Refreshments **6:55pm:** Introduction **7:00pm:** 🗣️ **Joshua Oluikpe - Real-Time Event-Driven Systems in Go: Patterns from Production** Explaining how I was able to utilize gorountines concurrency to improve high throughput in Kafka **7:25pm**: Lightning Talk ⚡ **David Coles - XDP Virtual Server: An eBPF Load Balancer library for Go** We migrated streaming and websites for the UKs largest commercial radio broadcaster to an open-source, Go/Linux based, load balancer **7:40pm:** Raffle and Break **8:00pm: 🗣️** **Rahim Kristopher Afful-Brown - Pass It On** Deep dive into CSP and actors. How it made reasoning with concurrent software easier than locking. Followed my real world examples **8:30pm:** Raffle Winners! **9:00pm:** Pub! ==== 💡 **RSVP Details** 💡 ===== When submitting your RSVP for this event, please be sure to use your **full first name and last name**, as some of our venues require these in order to let you in on the door. Submitting your name as e.g. "John D" won't be enough! We also keep track of no-shows, so **if you can't come, change your RSVP in advance!** ==== 🎉 **Prizes & Discounts!** 🎉 ===== **JetBrains Raffle!** \- We have 3 free JetBrains Product licenses to give away to some of our lucky attendees\! **Ardan Labs Raffle!** \- We're giving away one course license for Ardan Labs' Ultimate Go Bundle\! **Manning Publications Raffle!** \- We're giving away 4 free Go e\-books\! **45% Manning Publications Discount** \- a massive discount provided by the fine people at Manning\! You can also support London Gophers Events by purchasing via our affiliate link [HERE](https://mng.bz/oKqM) \- Use Code "**LGMeetup45**" for 45% off! **GopherConUK Raffle!** \- We're giving away one free ticket\!\!\! **10% GopherConUK Discount** \- The lovely people over at GopherConUK have provided a discount code for [GopherConUK 2026](https://www.gophercon.co.uk/tickets)! At checkout, use code "**GCUK26LGM"** for 10% off! ==== 💡 **Priority Queue** 💡 ===== We reserve 20% of the attendee spots at our events for those who are underrepresented in tech. If they join the waitlist and there is a reserved spot open they will be bumped into going! These spots are reserved until the last Sunday before the event. How do we define underrepresented? We use public surveys done by the tech community such as the ones linked below. https://survey.stackoverflow.co/2022/#section-demographics https://www.jetbrains.com/lp/devecosystem-2022/#gender-and-development ==== [📢](https://emojipedia.org/loudspeaker/) **Become a Speaker!** [📢](https://emojipedia.org/loudspeaker/) ===== Have something to say? We want to listen! We are always looking for new speakers who want to share their adventures with Go and have mentors who can help. You can sign up to be a speaker here: https://gophers.london/apply ==== 🧳**Looking For a New Adventure?** 🧳 ===== On the Gophers Slack (https://gophers.slack.com) there is a **#london-jobs** channel where company and recruiters can post job opportunities. ==== [📞](https://emojipedia.org/telephone-receiver/) **How To Reach Us** [📞](https://emojipedia.org/telephone-receiver/) ===== **Email:** contact@gophers.london **Linkedin:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/london-gophers/ **Twitter / X:** https://x.com/LondonGophers **YouTube:** https://www.youtube.com/c/LondonGophers 📜 **All London Gophers events operate under the Go Community Code of Conduct** \- https://golang\.org/conduct * **Treat everyone with respect and kindness.** * **Be thoughtful in how you communicate.** * **Don’t be destructive or inflammatory.** **Please do not message members without their consent** If you encounter an issue, please mail contact@gophers.london or conduct@golang.org

## 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.

Join our weekly social basketball run, full court 5 v 5 with 3 teams, all levels welcome! Please join this game using the free GameOn Active app ([download here](https://gameonactive.co.uk/connect.html)) which is a free app we use to organise the run. The Carpenters and Dockland Centre is only a few minutes walk from Stratford underground / DLR / train station. On arrival, please let reception know that you are there for a basketball session and you will be let through, at the courts please ask for Eduard. We look forward to balling with you there!

**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.

**Wellness for Business Event: Time to Look After You and Your Business** 🤝*An event held in partnership with Barclays, South East London Chamber of Commerce, Novotel Greenwich and Business Buzz.* **Your Wellbeing is Your Greatest Asset - Make it a Priority!** 🏢 In the hustle of managing clients, supporting your team, and navigating daily challenges, it’s easy to forget one crucial thing: **You!** **If you're a busy business leader who only prioritises health when something goes wrong, this rejuvenating, energising and impactful 3-hour event is for you!** Join us on Wednesday, 29th April for a fantastic morning of business networking, mini wellness workshops packed with practical, easy-to-apply strategies on health & wellbeing, and plenty of inspiration! Discover simple, effective approaches to support yourself and your business for peak performance! Explore how small tweaks, habit changes, and mindset shifts can help you regulate your wellbeing, support your team, strengthen your relationships, and thrive in your business. The best part is, you can learn these techniques and star**t applying them immediately!** **Highlights of the Day** 🗣️**Powerful Networking Sessions:** Kick off and close the morning by connecting with like-minded business leaders from diverse industries, building meaningful collaborations. 📝**Insightful Mini Workshops:** Engage in two dynamic, 25-minute interactive sessions, packed with practical health and wellbeing strategies that you can implement immediately- benefiting both you and your teams: *(See the full details of the Mini-Workshops & Founding Practitioners in the Lineup section.)* * **Command the Room: Be Calm, Clear, and Ready for High-Impact Meetings**, *with Dr Haifa Al Dubai - Breath Coach & Holistic Therapist* * **Master Focus: Practical Strategies to Regulate ADHD for You and Your Team**, *with Jacob Reimann - ADHD Coach & Therapist* * **Sleep Smarter: Unlock Deep, Natural Rest for Better Days**, *with Jolanta Kaczmarek - Clinical Medical Herbalist* * **Ignite Your Energy: From Tired to Thriving with Power-Packed Foods**, *with Leila Durham - Naturopathic Chef* * **Unleash Peak Performance: Take Care of Your Brain for Maximum Productivity**, *with Thierry Di Raffaele - Health & Brain Coach* * **Financial Wellbeing of Your Business: Key Cash Flow Strategies for Success**, *with Ozgun Ozgenturk - Business Development Manager at Barclays* 🤝 **Valuable Connections:** Engage with fellow business leaders, entrepreneurs and wellness experts, exchanging insights on health, wellness, and strategies to accelerate your business growth in a welcoming environment. **Agenda:** 9.00 - 9.15: **Arrival and Registration** 9.15 - 9.45: **Networking** 9.50 -10.15: **Inspirational Talks** 10.20 -10.45: **First Mini Workshop** 10.45 -10.55: **Break** 10.55 -11.20: **Second Mini Workshop** 11.25 -11.55: **Networking** 11.55 -12.05: **Sharing Feedback** 12.05 -12:15: **Summary and Close** 📝*Select one mini workshop, while purchasing your ticket. The second will be assigned for you based on availability.* ☕*Enjoy coffee and tea throughout the morning, with a delicious, healthy appetizer available for you to enjoy.* *🚗 On-site parking is available at a cost of £4.50 per hour or £25 per day.* *🎟️ A limited number of Early Bird Tickets are available until Tuesday, 31st March - hurry and secure your spot!* Please register on[ ](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wellness-for-business-event-time-to-look-after-you-your-business-tickets-1984055260694)**[Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wellness-for-business-event-time-to-look-after-you-your-business-tickets-1984055260694)**[ ](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wellness-for-business-event-time-to-look-after-you-your-business-tickets-1984055260694)! 🤝We can’t wait to meet you in London’s Greenwich, a central and historic part of town, at the fabulous Novotel Greenwich, for a powerful morning of health, wellness, business, and connection!

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)

Our THURSDAY EVENING Session and social is primarily for Club Members but guests are welcome. It is aimed at Players of INTERMEDIATE LEVEL AND ABOVE. We would like to keep the level above intermediate. Anyone below this level may be asked to attend coaching sessions until they reach the required standard There is coaching available for beginners and players of all levels. The session will be run as follows. Courts 1 and 2 Games Court 3 Coaching & Drills If you believe you should be playing at a higher level I will be pleased to assess your game. Please respect the way the session has been planned. Any deviation from this and you may be asked to leave. Sometimes team members will need to practice together. If you are interested in trying out for one of our many league teams please let Mani know. Places may be restricted if a match is being played. The cost for this session is £13 MEMBERS WILL ALWAYS BE PRIORITISED WHEN SIGNING UP FOR SESSIONS. **THERE IS A 12 HOUR CANCELATION PILICY. IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT PLEASE UPDATE YOUR RSVP TO NO 12 HOURS BEFORE THE SESSION. ANY TIME UNDER 12 HOURS AND YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT AND UNABLE TO RSVP AGAIN UNTIL PAYMENT IS CLEARED** PLEASE BRING DRINKING WATER TO STAY HYDRATED AS ACCESS TO WATER FOUNTAINS MAY BE RESTRICTED. PLEASE PAY WHEN YOU RSVP TO GUARANTEE YOUR SPOT. I WILL NOT BE TAKING CASH PAYMENTS FOR THE TIME BEING. PAYMENT DETAILS Use Payment link https://monzo.com/pay/r/storm-bc_lDA87GJFk9hkqt Or Monzo Bank Storm BC 04-00-03 77638837 Thanks and see you on court.

PUT AN END TO AUTO! Would you like to learn to use your camera properly and get the shots you want by choice and not by accident? Attending this small group workshop will give you a strong understanding of the essentials needed to get the results you're looking for. This session will include theory and practical exercises to apply what you have learned. By the end of this session you forget about only getting great results by accident, and feel confident that you understand how to get your camera to do what you want! This is the end of Auto! WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: * The important dials and buttons on your camera * Exposure triangle: Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO * Focus * Histogram * Depth of Field * Metering * White balance * And much more... **PAYMENT OPTIONS** * **PayPal via RSVP** * The Meetup transaction fee will be added. and you'll automatically be added to attend * **Send £30 via PayPal** to \*\*[creativebeansproductions@gmail.com**](http://creativebeansproductions@gmail.com%2A%2A/) with no extra fee. * Send us a text or comment below and we will add you to the event attendee list. EXPERIENCE Beginners / Refreshers EQUIPMENT * Any camera * Any lens OTHER ESSENTIALS * A fun and experimental attitude! TRAVEL As usual check TFL website for any issues that may delay your journey. CONTACT Alex 07956 264049 **TRAVEL EVENTS** **VENICE WEEKEND - Oct 2026** [https://www.meetup.com/londonphotographiclcp/events/313109097/](https://www.meetup.com/londonphotographiclcp/events/313109097/) **UPCOMING EVENTS** [https://www.meetup.com/londonphotographiclcp/events/calendar](https://www.meetup.com/londonphotographic/events/calendar)

An **8-week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) course** \- take a deeper\, more sustained exploration of how mindfulness can support mental health\, wellbeing\, and everyday life\. MBCT offers a practical and compassionate approach to working with stress, anxiety, low mood, and self-critical thinking. Rather than trying to “fix” our thoughts or emotions, the course helps us develop a different relationship with them — one grounded in awareness, kindness, and choice. This 8-week MBCT course is designed for gay men who want a grounded, practical way to work with stress, anxiety, low mood, self-criticism, or a sense of always having to “hold it together”. Join us in a structured, supportive journey into mindfulness, self-care, and emotional resilience. Many gay men grow up adapting to environments where it wasn’t always safe to be fully ourselves. Over time, this can shape how we relate to our thoughts, bodies, emotions, and relationships — often leading to vigilance, comparison, shame, or feeling disconnected even when surrounded by others. This course offers a compassionate, evidence-based way of meeting these patterns with awareness and kindness, rather than self-judgement or self-improvement pressure. “This course gave me tools to stop being overwhelmed by my thoughts and emotions. It’s the single most impactful thing I’ve done for my mental health.” — Marie [BOOK SPRING COURSE](https://bookwhen.com/evolvingminds#focus=ev-ssnpj-20260430190000) [BOOK AUTUMN COURSE](https://bookwhen.com/evolvingminds#focus=ev-svamz-20261007190000) **How the course works** We meet in a small, closed group of up to 14 gay men, allowing trust, continuity, and depth to develop over time. Once the course begins, no new members join. The group format is an important part of the learning — many participants find that practising alongside other gay men brings a sense of ease, recognition, and belonging. Learning unfolds through guided meditation, gentle movement, reflection, and shared inquiry. We learn from the practices, and from one another. Unlike drop-in mindfulness sessions, this course follows a clear, progressive structure, with each week building on the last. By the end of the eight weeks, you’ll have a personal toolkit of practices you can draw on in everyday life — especially during moments of stress, self-criticism, or emotional overwhelm. **What you’ll explore:** * Becoming more present through the body and senses * Working skillfully with intrusive or self-critical thoughts * Developing a kinder, more supportive inner voice * Turning towards difficulty rather than fighting or avoiding it * Living more fully in the present moment * Cultivating steadiness, ease, and emotional resilience **Core practices include:** * Body scan * Mindfulness of breath and body * Loving-kindness * Compassion and self-acceptance (Many familiar from the Monday group, explored in greater depth.) **Is this course right for you?** This course may be especially supportive if you: * Feel stressed, anxious, low, or emotionally overwhelmed * Notice strong self-criticism or pressure to perform * Want a mindfulness course that feels human, grounded, and relational * Value practising in a group of other gay men * Are looking for tools you can actually use in daily life No previous meditation experience is required. The course is based on the internationally recognised MBCT programme developed at Oxford University, taught here with a compassion-centred, trauma-aware approach, and paced to support safety and integration. There is no requirement to “share” beyond what feels right for you. [BOOK SPRING COURSE](https://bookwhen.com/evolvingminds#focus=ev-ssnpj-20260430190000) [BOOK AUTUMN COURSE](https://bookwhen.com/evolvingminds#focus=ev-svamz-20261007190000) **Course dates Spring 2026** *Block 1* (Sessions 1–4) Thu 30 April Thu 7 May Thu 14 May Thu 21 May Integration break: Thu 28 May (no meeting) *Block 2* (Sessions 5–8) Thu 4 June Thu 11 June Thu 18 June Thu 25 June **Course dates Autumn 2026** Wednesday 7 October – Wednesday 25 November (Pre-booking welcome) **Practical details** ⏰ Time: 7–9.15pm 📍 Venue: Canary Wharf 🚇 Travel: • Canary Wharf (Jubilee / Elizabeth Line) — approx. 15-minute walk • East India DLR — approx. 5-minute walk ✨ Fee: £359 standard / £259 concession [BOOK SPRING COURSE](https://bookwhen.com/evolvingminds#focus=ev-ssnpj-20260430190000) [BOOK AUTUMN COURSE](https://bookwhen.com/evolvingminds#focus=ev-svamz-20261007190000)

🎉 **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.

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)

Build in a day. Shape the future of AI Agents. Showcase on a global stage. This hackathon isn’t simply a one-day sprint; it’s an accelerator for your idea. Finalists will demo their projects LIVE at MongoDB.local London on May 7th. AI agents are breaking free from passive chat interfaces and starting to learn, adapt, and grow alongside us as autonomous partners, driven by breakthroughs like OpenClaw’s viral action-taking runtime and Hermes’ self-improving, persistent skills. Now, we need to architect the next stage: creating the integrations, memory systems, and self-evolution mechanisms that allow agents to build intelligence that embeds seamlessly into our everyday lives. Build with MongoDB and London’s best hackers to define how agents evolve from chat-bound tools into indispensable, ever-improving intelligence. Prizes include £15,000 in cash and partner credits, awarded across the top three teams. **Notes**: * This event is fully in-person in London. Space is limited. Maximum team size is four. All attendees must submit an application and be approved to attend. * In order to be eligible to win, finalists must be available on May 7th to attend MongoDB.local London and present their project. Register and learn more here: [https://cerebralvalley.ai/e/mongo-db-london-hackathon](https://cerebralvalley.ai/e/mongo-db-london-hackathon)

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.

**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

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/).

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!.

Join Neurospicy Columbus at the Stauff's for coffee and then a stroll through the Book Loft nearby! This will be a friendly chat for like minded individuals with Autism and/or ADHD (or somewhere on the Neurodiverse Spectra).

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

Our monthly PHP meetup. A virtual shindig courtesy of Zoom. Check back here for the details around 6:15 pm

Come out to Improving for our monthly iOS and Mac meetings. This Month's Presentation: Nothing yet. (You should volunteer). What is Cocoaheads (http://cocoaheads.org/)? CocoaHeads is a group devoted to discussion of Apple Computer's Cocoa Framework for programming on MacOS X and iOS (including the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch). During monthly meetings, members present on their projects and offer tutorials on various programming topics. What is BuckeyeCocoa (http://buckeyecocoa.org/)? BuckeyeCocoa is a group of Objective-C/Swift developers/enthusiasts. We host monthly Cocoaheads and near-weekly NSCoder meetings in Columbus, Ohio. The meetings are free to attend. Presentations! Presenters welcome! We are always in need of people willing to present material. Any Swift and/or Objective-C related topic is welcome. Times can be 5 minutes (i.e. lightning talks) to a maximum of 2 hours. Interested? Contact info is on the BuckeyeCocoa website. To volunteer for a presentation contact us at @BuckeyeCocoa on Twitter. Follow us on Twitter! @BuckeyeCocoa (https://twitter.com/#!/Buckeyecocoa/) For more information: http://buckeyecocoa.org/