Computer Science

🎉 Come along to the London Scala Talks! 🎉 In this event you'll hear from Caroline Morton and Katrina Petrevice. **Agenda** 6:00pm - 🥤 Doors open. Come along and grab a drink! 6:35pm - 🗣️ Introduction 6:40pm - 🗣️ Katrina Petrevice: Caching in Scala using Ref 7:20pm - 🍕 Intermission: Join us for some free food and drinks! Vegan and vegetarian options are provided. Let us know if you'd like something special - we'd be happy to accommodate. 7:50pm - 🗣️ Caroline Morton: Accidental Functional Programming in Rust (From an Epidemiologist's Perspective) 8:30pm - 🥤 Socialising: Grab a drink and let's discuss the talks. 9:00pm - 🍻 Join us in a pub to discuss the talks! 🌐 **This event has a live stream** Join at **6:35PM** using this link: [https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/23161399678332?p=vEmQadbG1wErf3rGrk](https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/23161399678332?p=vEmQadbG1wErf3rGrk "https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/23161399678332?p=vEmQadbG1wErf3rGrk") **🗣️ Katrina Petrevice: Caching in Scala using Ref** Caching in memory is often one of the first strategies used to improve system performances. However, implementing caching in a purely functional way introduces unique challenges, specifically around state management and testability. In this talk, we will look at how to utilise functional programming principles with [Ref](https://typelevel.org/cats-effect/docs/std/ref), while maintaining clarity and composability. We will also deep dive into some common pitfalls and look into practical ways to test Ref effectively. ⭐ Katrina Petrevice ⭐ Katrina comes from a non–computer science background and was first introduced to Scala while working at JPMorgan. She credits much of her Scala knowledge to hands-on experience within her team, where she works on building and maintaining data pipelines and managing data systems. Since then, she has developed a strong interest in functional programming and now co-leads the Functional Programming Group at JPMorgan, where she helps share knowledge and foster a community around these ideas. **🗣️ Caroline Morton: Accidental Functional Programming in Rust (From an Epidemiologist's Perspective)** I don't have a background in functional programming - and I never set out to write it. But somewhere between writing trait-based epidemiological pipelines, composing data transformations, and leaning hard on Result, enums, and pattern matching, I started hearing from others: “That's pretty functional.” In this talk, I'll explore what it means to write “functional-ish” Rust as someone solving real-world scientific problems. I'll walk through the patterns I reach for - like chaining iterators, avoiding shared state, and embracing expressive types - and reflect on which functional programming ideas emerge naturally in Rust, even if you're not trying. I'll also share how designing for epidemiologists - most of whom are used to chaining functions in Python (like Pandas) or R - has pushed me toward creating ergonomic Rust APIs with Python and R bindings. These tools aim to feel familiar to scientists while leveraging Rust's power and safety under the hood. This is a talk for functional programmers curious about Rust, and for Rustaceans wondering if they've been functional all along. No formal theory required - just real code, real use cases, and a pragmatic perspective from someone building public health tools in Rust. ⭐ Caroline Morton ⭐ Dr. Caroline Morton is a medical doctor, epidemiologist, software engineer, and PhD candidate specialising in synthetic data, epidemiology, and Rust. With 60 peer-reviewed papers and two books on software, she combines deep technical expertise with a commitment to improving scientific workflows. Caroline co-founded the first [Women in Rust](https://www.meetup.com/women-in-rust/) group, fostering diversity and encouraging more women to explore opportunities in systems programming. She leads an open-source project improving codelist management in epidemiology using Rust, creating efficient, reliable tools for health data research. Her PhD focuses on synthetic data methods for epidemiology, particularly using Rust to generate large, realistic datasets. A strong advocate for open science and reproducibility, she contributes extensively to improving software practices through publications, workshops, and open-source projects. 🏡 **Accessing the building** The office space (125 London Wall) has two entrances: * ✅ Use the street level entrance, where the Elsevier volunteers we will be welcoming people (this is the easiest one to find, usually people arrive from there) * ❌ Do not use the entrance above that connects to the barbican walkways. Security guards should redirect you to the street level entrance if you find this one instead. Please try to arrive by 7PM, or the street level entrance will be closed. If you do arrive afterwards, let us know on [meetup.com](https://www.meetup.com/london-scala/events/314293345/) or [Discord #general](https://discord.gg/aRCVCHmHES), and someone will come to fetch you. ———————————————————— 🗣️ Would you like to present, but are not sure how to start? Give a talk with us and you'll receive mentorship from a trained toastmaster! Get in touch through [this form](https://forms.gle/zv5i9eeto1BsnSwe8) and we'll get you started 🏡 Interested in hosting or supporting us? Please get in touch through [this form](https://forms.gle/3SX3Bm6zHqVodBaMA) and we can discuss how you can get involved. 📜 All London Scala User Group events operate under the [Scala Community Code of Conduct](https://www.scala-lang.org/conduct/). We encourage each of you to report the breach of the conduct, either anonymously through [this form](https://forms.gle/9PMMorUWgBnbk1mm6) or by contacting one of our team members. We guarantee privacy and confidentiality, as well as that we will take your report seriously and react quickly.

IN PERSON STUDY & CONVERSATION GROUP - OCCULT SCIENCE WITH DAGMAR STEFFELBAUER **Occult Science is a written book by Rudolf Steiner and is meant for studying the content. It is composed of VII** **chapters. We have begun with chapter V which will be studied throughout thisterm. Its content is the spiritual path of** **the Knowledge of the Higher Worlds. We are using the translation by George and Mary Adams.** **All are welcome!** **Further information: d.steffelbauer@gmail.com** This group is run under the auspices of the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain and small donations towards expenses are welcome. £ 3 / £2 .

Register: [https://luma.com/hack-night-tessl-may13-2026?utm_source=neo4j](https://luma.com/hack-night-tessl-may13-2026?utm_source=neo4j) ## What's Hack Night? ​Five hours. One room full of builders. Zero fluff. As many demos as we can. ​Hack Night at Tessl is a London evening for people who would rather build than posture. You show up with an idea, find a team if you want one, spend a few focused hours shipping with a DJ in the background, and demo what you made before the night ends. Then we head to the pub. ​**When**: May 13\, 2026 \| 4:00 PM \- 8:45 PM BST **Where**: Tessl office, London ## Here's How It Works ​**4:00 PM - Doors Open** Check in, grab food, meet other builders, form groups, (or solo hack if you want) and decide what you're making. ​**4:30 PM - Opening Context** Quick welcome from the host and venue partner so everyone knows the flow for the night. ​**5:00 PM - Short Technical Remarks** If there are host or sponsor remarks, they stay short. The point is to get useful context, then get people building. ​**5:30 PM - Build Time** Heads down. Music on. Ship something. Use the time to test an idea, explore a tool, or finally build the thing you've been sitting on. ​**7:30 PM - Demo Time** Show what you made. Get feedback. See what everyone else shipped. ​**8:45 PM - Wrap Up** Final demos, shout-outs, and a clean finish to the night. And of course, Pub! We're heading to a pub nearby for a pint and a proper debrief. Come if you want to keep the conversation going.

**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/international-trade-connector-global-trade-business-networking-event-tickets-1988226778817?aff=meetup](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/international-trade-connector-global-trade-business-networking-event-tickets-1988226778817?aff=meetup)** Connect with global trade experts at our London International Trade & Business Networking event. Build partnerships & grow your business **The Business Networking Event for Global Ambition** The International Trade Connector® is the ultimate networking event for entrepreneurs, business professionals, and solution providers who are ready to think beyond borders. ✈️🌐 Whether you're exploring new international markets, navigating cross-border operations, or offering services that support global expansion, this event connects you with the right people to accelerate your success. 🤝 ### **Sponsored by APGB Boutique Consultancy** APGB is a specialised London-based advisory firm connecting UK investors with development projects across Portuguese-speaking African countries. 🇦🇴🇲🇿🇨🇻 They also support businesses from Africa and the UK in securing investors, entering new markets, and scaling internationally. 📈 Expect meaningful conversations, practical insights, and high-value connections to help you build partnerships, discover solutions, and expand your global footprint. 🌏✨ **Join us to connect with like-minded professionals and build the bridges you need to thrive internationally.** 🌉 ## **👥 Who Is This Event For?** Ideal for professionals involved in global growth and international business, including: * 🚀 **Entrepreneurs, Startups & SMEs** expanding abroad * 🌐 **International Trade Specialists** * ⚖️ **Legal & Compliance Experts** * 💼 **Tax & Accounting Professionals** * 🧭 **Market Entry & Localization Consultants** * 🚚 **Logistics & Supply Chain Experts** * 🎯 **Marketing & Branding Agencies** * 🌎 **Recruitment & HR Professionals** * 🏢 **International Real Estate & Infrastructure Advisors** * 💳 **Financial Institutions & Fintech Providers** * 💻 **Technology Companies** enabling cross-border operations * 🏛️ **Government & Trade Bodies** * 💸 **Investors & Venture Capitalists** * 🎓 **Education & Training Providers** * 📰 **Media, PR & Communications Professionals** * 🤝 **Network Builders & Global Community Leaders** A diverse, high-energy environment designed to inspire collaboration and global opportunities. ## **📱 Exclusive WhatsApp Networking Group** All confirmed attendees receive access to a dedicated WhatsApp group, opened **24 hours before the event**. Inside the group, you can: * 👋 Introduce yourself early * 💬 Discuss your goals and challenges * 📅 Plan who you'd like to meet in advance A simple way to maximise your networking success. ## **🎙️ Meet the Host** **Alice Santos**, founder of **APGB**, a market-entry consultancy specialising in Lusophone countries (Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Guinea-Bissau). APGB connects professionals, projects, and opportunities — supporting compliance, partnerships, and sustainable growth. 🌱🌍 ## **🎉 Complimentary Access to London Connector®** Your ticket includes **free entry** to the London Connector® event from **6pm**. Two synergistic events, **one ticket** — double the connections, double the opportunities! 🔗✨ ## **📲 WhatsApp Group** On the day of the event, attendees will receive an email invitation to join the exclusive Ukrainian Connector® WhatsApp group to continue conversations before and after the event. ## **👔 Dress Code** Business attire or smart casual. No T-shirts or trainers. ## **ℹ️ Refund Policy** Advance tickets are discounted and non-refundable but may be reassigned to another person if you are unable to attend. ### **Event Disclaimer 📸** Photos and videos may be taken during the event for use across social media and promotional materials. * [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)

We're delighted to announce an exciting LSCC event on Wednesday 13th May, in partnership with our friends at Zopa Bank! Join us at the Zopa Canary Wharf office in London for this session and get the chance to flex your architectural design muscles! "So how are we supposed to get great architects, if they only get the chance to architect fewer than a half-dozen times in their career?" — Ted Neward. This quote highlights the need for practice, which is what our LSCC architecture katas provide: a safe, repeatable way to hone your software architecture design skills by simulating architectural challenges. **What's the format?** You'll be split into groups and have a business problem to solve. You'll be tasked with designing a technical architecture to meet that problem context. As with real-life you'll have to manage various trade-offs in your design and interact with a Product Owner to clarify your questions. At the end of the task each team will showcase their architecture and technology choices back to the wider group as part of a group discussion. Whether you're a seasoned coder, software architect or new to the scene, you're invited to share insights, discuss best practices, and learn from fellow participants. No prior session attendance or architecture knowledge is required – just bring your enthusiasm. No laptop is required for this session, we'll provide each group with paper, pens and sticky notes to support the activity. Thank you to the Codurance team that will run the event at Zopa Bank's office. Find out more at https://www.codurance.com/ Food and drinks will be provided with vegetarian, vegan and non-alcoholic options available - thanks to Zopa Bank for sponsoring refreshments and hosting in their great office. **About Zopa** Founded in 2020 with a full banking licence and backed by some of Silicon Valley’s most iconic investors, digital bank Zopa is building the Home of Money. This is a place where financial products deliver good value and managing money is made effortless; deep and long-lasting relationships mean customers are left confident about their choices. One of the UK’s highest rated and most celebrated financial brands, Zopa has been recognised with over 10 British Bank Awards, holds a Trustpilot rating of 4.6/5, and has one of the highest customer satisfaction scores in the industry. Zopa Bank Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. https://www.zopa.com/ We look forward to seeing you soon!

**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/business-networking-london-where-entrepreneurs-meet-by-london-connector-tickets-1988170587748?aff=meetup](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/business-networking-london-where-entrepreneurs-meet-by-london-connector-tickets-1988170587748?aff=meetup)** Meet entrepreneurs, angel investors & startup founders at London's premier business networking event. Build real connections in Belgravia. **Join London Connector® for a premium business networking event at the prestigious 2 Chesham Hotel, Belgravia — bringing together entrepreneurs, startup founders, investors, company directors, and professionals ready to build meaningful connections in the heart of Central London.** London Connector® hosts premium **business networking events across Central London** — including **Belgravia, Mayfair, Soho, and the City** — connecting **entrepreneurs, founders, expats, investors, and professionals** looking to grow their London network. With more than **100 events hosted every year** and a vibrant international community, London Connector® is one of the city's most trusted and active **business networking platforms**. Whether you are an **aspiring entrepreneur**, an **established business owner**, a **startup founder**, or an **investor** — this **London business networking event** offers the perfect premium environment to meet the right people, explore new opportunities, and build lasting professional relationships. **💼 Why Attend This London Business Networking Event?** The London Connector® series has built a strong reputation for bringing together **ambitious entrepreneurs, company directors, angel investors, innovators, and professionals** from a wide variety of industries across London. The goal is simple: to connect **like-minded business professionals** who are serious about **collaboration, growth, and creating opportunities** in a relaxed, welcoming, and stylish environment. At this **Belgravia business networking event**, you can: * Meet **entrepreneurs and company directors** looking to expand their London network * Connect with **angel investors and professionals** from diverse sectors and industries * Explore **partnerships, collaborations, joint ventures, and client opportunities** * Enjoy a stylish and relaxed **social mixer** setting ideal for both business and social networking * Build genuine, long-term professional relationships with **like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders** **✨ Event Highlights** * Informal **open networking** with introductions facilitated by our host and the London Connector® community * A warm, welcoming, and **inclusive networking environment** where conversations naturally lead to opportunities * **Networking from 6:00 PM until 10:00 PM** — plenty of time to meet new people and build lasting connections * Access to an **exclusive WhatsApp networking community** for pre-event and post-event connection * One of Central London's most consistent and well-attended **business networking events** **👥 Who Should Attend?** This **London business networking event at Belgravia** is designed for: * 🚀 **Entrepreneurs & Startup Founders** — looking to showcase ideas, find mentors, or attract strategic partners and investors * 🏢 **Business Owners & Company Directors** — interested in building partnerships, meeting potential clients, or discovering innovative business solutions * 💰 **Angel Investors & Advisors** — seeking exposure to exciting ventures, forward-thinking entrepreneurs, and professionals across industries * 💼 **Professionals from SMEs & Corporates** — aiming to grow their personal network, generate leads, or explore collaborations outside their immediate field * 🧠 **Consultants & Service Providers** — in marketing, finance, legal, HR, tech, or sustainability, looking to connect with decision-makers and companies in need of their expertise * 💻 **Innovators & Tech Enthusiasts** — eager to stay ahead of trends in **digital, fintech, AI**, and other high-growth sectors * 🌐 **Expats & Professionals New to London's Business Scene** — looking for a welcoming **entrepreneur community in London** where professional introductions are natural, warm, and meaningful **📍 About the Venue — 2 Chesham Hotel, Belgravia** Located in the heart of **Belgravia, Central London**, the 2 Chesham Hotel provides an elegant, stylish, and professional setting perfectly suited to London's most ambitious **entrepreneurs, investors, and business professionals**. A premium venue for a premium **London networking event**. **🎟️ Spaces Are Limited — Book Early!** Spaces are strictly limited and this event may sell out in advance. To avoid disappointment, we strongly recommend **booking your ticket early**. Reserve your place today and be part of an evening where **business meets opportunity** in the heart of Belgravia — one of Central London's most iconic and prestigious locations. **📲 Exclusive WhatsApp Networking Group** On the day of the event, you will receive an email invitation to join our **exclusive attendee WhatsApp group** — allowing **entrepreneurs, founders, investors, and professionals** to start connecting, arranging meetings, and building relationships before and after the event. **📸 Event Disclaimer** Photos and videos may be taken during the event for use across our social media channels, marketing materials, and promotional campaigns. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. * [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)

***[We're leaving Meetup! Going forward, tickets on Meetup will be limited. We encourage you to register via our Luma calendar instead, where the full number of tickets will be available.](https://luma.com/ck2etymg)*** **Agenda** 06:00pm - Doors open 06:30pm - Welcome 06:35pm - [Mariia Borysova](https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-borysova/), Senior Product Designer at Amazon, "Storytelling in AI" 07:00pm - Break 07:15pm - [Celeste Horgan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/celeste-horgan/), Senior OSS Developer Advocate at Snowflake, "Apache Spark Pipelines: Adventures in Raccoon detection" ​07:45pm - Lightning Talk: [Sneha Kalaivanan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/snehakalai/), Senior Product Manager at Tesco, TBD **Please note you will be unable to enter the venue before 6.00pm.** RSVPs will close 24 hours before the event, you may be unable to register after this time but you can still watch online. If you can't join us in person you can watch remotely via [our YouTube channel](https://youtube.com/@ai-signals-community). **Our hosts may require that we provide a list of all attendees, please ensure that you register with a name that matches your government issued ID or bank card: if you do not we cannot guarantee you entry to the building.** Please RSVP for the event well in advance if you plan to attend in person and unRSVP if you can no longer attend as limited spaces are available.

The sun is out, the evenings are longer, and we thought what better way to spend a May evening than slowing down together in one of London's most beautiful parks. > This is a small, gentle outdoor workshop where we'll explore the inner critic. That voice that tells you you're not enough, not doing enough, not where you should be. Through a mix of mindfulness exercises, self compassion practice, and real conversation, we'll spend the evening reconnecting with ourselves and each other. > You don't need any experience with meditation or mindfulness. Just bring yourself, maybe a blanket to sit on, and an open mind. > This is for you if: > You tend to be your own harshest critic. You feel like you're always running but never arriving. You want to meet genuine people in a meaningful way. You just need an evening to breathe. > 📍 Regent's Park, London (exact meeting point shared before the event) > 📅 Saturday 16 May 2026 > ⏰ 6PM - 8PM > 💷 £10 > 🌿 Outdoors, weather permitting > Brought to you by Idil and Shipra. We're passionate about mindfulness, self compassion, and creating spaces where people can be real with each other. > Places are limited to keep it intimate. Grab your spot and we'll see you in the park 🤍

**The Unscented Transform: theory, extensions and practical application to Bayesian inference** We are delighted to have John Whitamore back at the Bayesian Mixer. Please register here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/bayesianmixer/2154878 **Abstract:** How can we perform Bayesian inference without resorting to slow random sampling methods? Isn't there a nice, pragmatic way to use the geometry of a problem to use only a very small number of samples, placed deterministically? Isn't there a good, straightforward way to implement Bayesian models in practical settings? This talk explains the real-world problems that can be solved by the Unscented Transform. It begins with an intuitive introduction to Bayesian methods, discusses the Unscented Transform and connects the ideas to geometry, finite elements analysis and deep learning. **Bio:** John Whitamore is a Senior Data Scientist at Simply Business, a leading UK InsureTech firm. He has previously served as Head of Data Science for a leading food retailer, as Head of Trading and Systems for an investment management company and as Global Head of Convertible Bond Trading for a European investment bank.

✨🎊 Welcome to DSF Big Birthday Bash 🎊✨ THE TICKET BALLOT IS NOW OPEN! Click the link below to enter the ballot 👇 [Click here!!!](https://datasciencefestival.com/event/big-birthday-bash-2026/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=meetup&utm_campaign=bigbdaybash) Join us on Saturday 16th May 2026, for our 12th Festival, at our London home CodeNode, celebrating DSF turning 10, for one day only! Enter the ticket ballot to be in with a chance of attending. 600 lucky people will get to attend this event for free 🎟️ 40 speakers, 4 stream rooms, 14 partners, lunch, swag bags, and an entire day to learn, mingle, and be inspired! Event time: 08:15 AM - 18:00 PM Venue address: CodeNode, 10 South Pl, London, EC2M 7EB Nearest tube station: Moorgate or Liverpool Street Schedule and speaker details are updated weekly [here.](https://datasciencefestival.com/event/big-birthday-bash-2026/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=meetup&utm_campaign=bigbdaybash) Please note this event will not be streamed, so please ensure you apply for a ballot ticket to watch these sessions live. **PLEASE NOTE: CLICKING ATTENDING ON MEETUP DOES NOT GIVE YOU ACCESS TO THIS EVENT. PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK ABOVE OR BELOW TO REGISTER FOR TICKETS**. Ticketing: Due to the popularity of Data Science Festival events, we are now allocating event tickets via a random ballot. Registering enters you into the ticket ballot for DSF Big Birthday Bash on Saturday 16th May 2026. The ballot will be drawn throughout the month of April 2026. If you have not received a ticket by May 7th 2026, unfortunately, you have been unsuccessful in getting a ticket. Those who are randomly selected will then be e-mailed tickets for the event. Please read how the ticketing works in full here. ([[https://datasciencefestival.com/2024/01/01/dsf-tickets-101-mayday-2024/](https://datasciencefestival.com/2024/01/01/dsf-tickets-101-mayday-2024/)]([https://datasciencefestival.com/2024/01/01/dsf-tickets-101-mayday-2024/](https://datasciencefestival.com/2024/01/01/dsf-tickets-101-mayday-2024/))) Event details: 🎟️ Please bring your ticket (a paper copy or on your phone) to the event to check in with your QR code. Tickets are non-transferable. Arrive before 10:00 AM for guaranteed entry. ☕️ There is no breakfast at the venue, however, there is tea, coffee, and water provided throughout the day. Lunch is also provided. Soft drinks and alcohol can be purchased from SpaceBar at Code Node. ⌚️ Doors will open at 8:15 AM sharp and attendee registration will begin at this time on Saturday 16th May 2026. Speaker sessions begin at 9:00 AM, but please arrive at least 45 minutes before the conference begins, to make sure you enter the event on time. Arrive before 10:00 AM for guaranteed entry. 📛 Please pick up your badge, schedule and SWAG bag at the registration table on the ground floor. 🤝 There will be networking at the Spacebar from 17:00 - 18:00 PM so come and say hello! FAQ will be live in April 2026. Please take some time to review this ahead of the event. Check out last year's DSF Game On here: [https://datasciencefestival.com/event/game-on-2025/](https://datasciencefestival.com/event/game-on-2025/) We can't wait to see you back in person! 👋 **#DSFBigBirthdayBash**

Shaping our future with AI. Creating opportunity through AI fluency, connection and community. No jargon. No hype. No confusing terminology. NOTE: This event will be focussed on the changing shape of software development. Everyone is welcome to attend but the content will be somewhat technical. **Join us for our next in-person meetup in London on Thursday May 14th.** Our theme for this meetup is **Reimagining Software Development with AI.** We're going to take a step back and think about the role we, the humans, play in the software development process now that coding agents have arrived. This event provides a small glimpse of the future, from the innovators who are challenging everything and rebuilding the process of software development from the ground up, with humans at the centre! **Where and When?** * Thursday, May 14th * Doors open at 18:00 * Talks start at 19:00 * AutogenAI, 123 Pentonville Rd, London N1 9LG **Talk 1: The Validation Gap: We Need A Better Way To Review AI Generated Code** (Robert Werner, Co-Founder & CTO Leapter) AI coding is fast. We're generating more code than ever. But more code means more code to verify, and agentic workflows are scaling that gap faster than review processes can keep up. The bottleneck didn't disappear. It moved from writing code to verifying logic. For most generated code, you can ship, test, and iterate. But what if we need to be sure? What about the code that runs our financial systems or decides if you qualify for a loan? It has to be right. Hope is not a strategy, we need to better ways to review code. In this talk Robert will share his recent innovations, experiments and insights with you. **About Robert:** Robert Werner is the CTO of an AI startup dedicated to shaping the future of AI-native software development. He has over 20 years experience focussed on Software Engineering, Developer Experience and Transformational Platform Engineering, across Fortune 500 companies and FinTechs. **Talk 2: Narrative Engineering: What Cognitive Science Actually Tells Us About Building with LLMs** (Sal Kimmich, Security Architect at Gadfly AI) We keep treating LLMs like search engines that hallucinate. That is the wrong category, and it produces the wrong engineering. LLMs are narrative generators. They do not retrieve facts or execute logic. They complete stories. That distinction is not philosophical. It determines what kind of system you can build with them and what kind you cannot. Neuroscience has been studying probabilistic, distributed, narrative-generating systems for decades. Most of the LLM engineering field is ignoring that work. This talk walks through cyberneutics, an open source methodology and repository built on the premise that we need a new engineering discipline for narrative computing the way software engineering emerged from symbolic computing. The theoretical foundations come from second-order cybernetics, distributed cognition, and Minsky's Society of Mind. The empirical validation comes from 2025 mechanistic interpretability research showing that reasoning models internally simulate multi-agent dialogue to reason better. The practical techniques come from iterative practice: adversarial committees, pipeline algebra with formal quality propagation, observer-aware interaction design. Three real lessons for practitioners building agentic systems: reliability is a property of the pipeline, not the prompt; repetition is latent space exploration, not failure; and if you want auditable AI reasoning, you need to externalise the dialogue structure, because the transcript is the explainability artifact. The discipline does not exist yet. This is what building it looks like. **About Sal:** Sal is a developer advocate for open source and passionate about helping engineers, ethical hackers and digital enthusiasts understand the complexity of modern software development. With over a decade of experience as building cloud-native machine learning pipelines in the healthcare and tech for good sectors, their work is now focused on filling the cracks in the open source software supply chain to build a better digital future for all of us. **Thanks!** We'd like to thank our sponsors [Leapter ](http://leapter.com/)and AutogenAI for making this event possible. **Code of Conduct** This event has a code of conduct that you can [review here.](https://aifortherestofus.live/code-of-conduct) By joining the community and registering for this event you agree to abide by our code of conduct. **Providing Your Name and Email** To register for this event you'll be asked to provide your email address. After the event you will be automatically subscribed to the newsletters from *AI for the rest of us* and Leapter GmbH. You can unsubscribe at any time (But why would you? They are really very good!)

MCP is changing how developers build with AI, but we're just scratching the surface. Join us for an evening of talks that go beyond retrieval to explore what's actually possible when you give agents real tools, real constraints and real APIs. **Agenda** ​6:00 PM - Doors open, registration and networking ​6:10 PM - Welcome (Upsun & Cloudflare) ​6:20 PM - MCP: Context is Everything! - Carly Richmond, Elastic ​6:45 PM - Sandboxes: how to limit agents so we can use them more - Patrick Dawkins, Upsun ​7:00 PM - Break (Food & Drinks) ​7:30 PM - Cooking with MCP in VS Code - Liam Hampton, Microsoft ​7:55 PM - Efficient tools with MCP code mode - Confidence Okoghenun, Cloudflare ​8:15 PM - Open networking and drinks ​9:00 PM - Close 🗣️ ​**Talks** ​**MCP: Context is Everything! - Carly Richmond (Developer Advocate Lead, Elastic)** ​MCP is a powerful tool for giving LLMs capabilities to not just retrieve information, but to automate key actions based on relevant data. Let’s see how it can be used for retrieving relevant context and other activities such as observability. ​**Efficient tools with MCP code mode - Confidence Okoghenun (Senior Developer Advocate, Cloudflare)** ​Traditional MCP approaches choke on context windows: Cloudflare's 2,500+ endpoint API would require 1.17 million tokens. Code Mode flips the script by having LLMs write code against typed APIs instead of making direct tool calls, achieving 99.9% token reduction. Come learn how code mode works and how to optimize your MCP tools with it. ​**Sandboxes: how to limit agents so we can use them more - Patrick Dawkins (Principal Engineer, Upsun)** ​We want our agents to run longer and use more tools, but we're hampered by constant prompts for approval. Sandboxes are the practical middle ground: isolate the agent so you can stop watching every command and let it work. This talk covers what "sandbox" means, who provides them today and the Linux primitives that let you build one yourself. ​**Cooking with MCP in VS Code - Liam Hampton (Senior Cloud Advocate, Microsoft)** ​In this session Liam will show you how VS Code is fully supporting the MCP spec, from MCP Apps to sandboxing and elicitations. 📅 **Date and Time:** Thursday, May 14, from 6:00-9:00 PM 📍 **Location:** Cloudflare Address: 6th Floor, County Hall/The, Riverside Building, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 7PB, UK 👉 You can also register here: https://luma.com/eb8j6lhu ⚠️ Please make sure you provided your full name (no nicknames or abbreviations will be allowed) and to bring your ID card as it will be mandatory to show it upon check-in to security. Entry will be first come, first served. We recommend arriving early to make sure you get in. **⚡️ Interested in giving a talk? ⚡️** Have you ever considered presenting on your Elastic use case? We welcome 5-10 minute lightning talks, 45-minute deep dives, and everything in between. If you're interested, please submit via our [CFP](https://sessionize.com/elastic-meetups/) or send us an email at [meetups@elastic.co.](http://meetups@elastic.co./)

Dear Members, As the **early evening from 5pm** [https://luma.com/he99iszf](https://luma.com/he99iszf) unfolds toward sunset, the tone deepens. Conversations shift from introductions to alignment: * Capital meets narrative * Ideas meet execution * Ambition meets backing * Complimentary nibbles & drinks What to expect: Guests arrive at Flex @ Tide, stepping off the street into a space that feels deliberately curated—minimal, elegant, quietly confident. **630-730pm There will be 5 Roundtables** \- Investment\, Tech & Ai\, Film & Music\, Scaleups & GovTech\. If you would like to head a table for discussion please reach out \(Zee Whatsapp 07588812528\)\. **Thank you to Flex @ Tide, The Master Collective**, **YouYaa**, and the **Future Crowd.** Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the river like a living artwork. There’s a subtle soundtrack—low, ambient, almost cinematic—punctuated by the clink of glasses and the first bursts of laughter from early connections forming. Feel free to bring friends and colleagues. If you are looking for future collaborations please let us know. **8pm Carriages** With warm regards, Zee & Team NB For Partnerships or Sponsors zee@picnicbank.com & [zm@mastercollective.xyz](mailto:zm@mastercollective.xyz)

**Bitcoinology are back at Cyphermunk House!** Join us as Ramon takes us on a tour of standard chain analysis tactics and how best to counter them when transacting on chain. [TICKETS](https://btcpay.btc.aw/apps/rvvVwGSSSiJ7UgtzjmBdxy1Uq6a/pos) [MEMBERSHIP](https://www.cyphermunkhouse.com/members) Promotional activities related to shitcoins not permitted. No unsolicited photograhy. Peace and love.

Customer identity resolution becomes increasingly complex as organizations scale across multiple systems, regions, and data formats. Traditional rule-based approaches often fail to keep up with data variability, require constant manual tuning, and struggle with real-time processing needs. This session presents a practical approach to building a scalable identity resolution pipeline using AWS services and modern AI techniques. The architecture combines data ingestion through Amazon S3 and AWS Glue, transformation pipelines using Spark on EMR, and machine learning models deployed via SageMaker for entity matching and standardization. Graph-based relationship modeling is implemented using Amazon Neptune to improve resolution accuracy by incorporating household and shared attribute context. We will walk through how machine learning models can be used for name and address normalization, how intelligent blocking strategies improve matching efficiency, and how feedback loops can be introduced to continuously improve accuracy. The session also highlights how serverless components such as AWS Lambda can be used for orchestration and real-time processing. **SPEAKER BIO** Mosaic Syed is a Senior Data Engineering and Cloud Solutions Architect with over 20 years of experience designing and delivering scalable, secure, and high-performance data solutions across global enterprise environments. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mosaic-basha-syed-92300856 **CALL FOR SPEAKERS** Learn more: [https://www.awscolumbus.com/get-involved/](https://www.awscolumbus.com/get-involved/) **THANK YOU** *VEEAM* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Veeam*, please visit their website: [https://www.veeam.com/](https://www.veeam.com/) **DIRECTIONS** 8800 Lyra Dr #450 · Columbus, OH go to 4th floor. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

**Total Eclipse of the Chart: School Redistricting Dashboards** In this presentation, we will explore the utilization of maps, sets, and SQL within a Tableau dashboard to help provide “what-if” analyses generated through the use of a mapped dashboard, providing different scenarios and the potential implications of these. While in this use case we are focused on a large school district, the concepts of utilizing existing data to explore the future impacts of modifying different geographic boundaries can be useful to many industries, balancing the mix of maps with visual analytics. **About Our Speaker** Robert Kramer is the Data Systems and State Reporting Coordinator at South Western City Schools in Grove City. He has worked there for 17 years, serving previously in the roles of Data Analyst, Programmer, and Operations Coordinator. Prior to working at South Western, he worked as a Systems Engineer at Pinnacle Data Systems in Groveport. He graduated in 2005 from The University of Toledo with his Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Engineering, and a minor in Mathematics. Robert resides in Obetz with his wife, and their 15 and 12 year-old daughters. He was also just elected to his 3rd four-year term on the Obetz City Council. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

We will show how to build custom agents with Microsoft Agent Framework. Attendees will learn how to build and custom host agents when Microsoft Foundry is not a viable option.

**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 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** TBD **YouTube Link** TBD

Join us for a practical, beginner-friendly guide to choosing the right large language model. We’ll compare major models like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Llama, talk about when to use hosted APIs versus local models, and break down the tradeoffs around cost, speed, quality, privacy, context windows, coding ability, and reliability. You’ll leave with a clearer mental model for picking an LLM based on your actual use case instead of hype, benchmarks, or brand names. No deep AI background required. LOGISTICS AND PARKING: The talk starts at 7:00 PM. The first half hour is reserved for everyone to get set up and mingle. Free pizza and drinks! The cheapest parking option is to find street parking, which will only cost you a few bucks. Otherwise, park in the nearby veteran's museum lot for $8. It's highly recommended you avoid the nearby $15 garage parking.

Join the Columbus AI community for our quarterly gathering — a casual, community-focused evening where everyone has a chance to share, learn, and connect. These open mic–style events give anyone in the community up to **5 minutes** to present a project, share a tool, pose a question, or offer a perspective on the evolving AI space. No slides required — just a welcoming space to exchange ideas and keep the local AI conversation moving. If you’d like to take the stage, message \*\*Chris (the organizer)\*\*with a **title and short description** of what you’d like to share. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.linkedin.com/company/transformlabs/) Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/transformlabshq)

**Improving Office in Franklinton** Physical location: Improving Office 330 Rush Alley Suite #150 Columbus, OH 43215 Schedule: 6:00 p.m.: Socialize, eat, and drink. Improving will be providing pizza and beverages. 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Main meeting and presentation(s). Topic: This month John Lairson will share a notebook describing the Alpaca (Paper) Trading API and discuss different algorithms for evaluating stock trades. We meet on the last Monday of each Month. Presentations are given by members and friends of this group. If you would like to do a presentation (small or large) on a python topic, please contact Central OH Python at centralohpython@gmail.com