Design Strategy
Meet other local people interested in Design Strategy: share experiences, inspire and encourage each other! Join a Design Strategy group.
5,469
members
10
groups
Largest Design Strategy groups
Newest Design Strategy groups
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out design strategy events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the design strategy events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find design strategy events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Design Strategy Events Today
Join in-person Design Strategy events happening right now
AI Signals x Women in Data #31: Storytelling with AI
***[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.
Architecture Kata at Zopa Bank
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!
London Platform User Group (LOPUG), Wednesday 13th May, 6.30pm onwards
For our May meetup, we're delighted to be back at the fabulous Accurx offices. We have two amazing talks lined up and the agenda will be:
* 6:30pm - arrive, drinks, networking
* 7:00pm - Welcome & Housekeeping
* 7:15pm - **Talk** **1: "A practical guide to inner sourcing your IDP"**
Bridging the gap between developers and platform teams is hard.
Scattered documentation, fragmented language and hidden knowledge leave developers frustrated, while platform teams struggle to understand what devs really need. Treating platforms as products is a start, but treating them like open source projects unlocks real collaboration, allowing developers to contribute and maintain features.
In her roles as Developer Advocate and platform engineer, Lian has years of experience working with highly bureaucratic organisations helping to improve developer experience and adoption.
In this talk, she’ll share concrete steps to identify contribution opportunities, set up maintainable processes, and measure engagement. You’ll leave inspired with ideas to boost adoption, reduce friction, and turn your platform into a collaborative, thriving ecosystem.
**Speaker:** Lian Li, Cloud Native Human
*Lian always wanted to save the world. After leaving law school, she decided to work with computers instead. While in Web Dev, she started attending tech events, and soon fell in love with the community. In her roles as Consultant and DevRel, Lian combined technical knowledge with a focus on the human side.*
*Currently, Lian works as freelance Platform Engineer in Amsterdam and is the Chief Karaoke Officer for Kuberoke, the first and only Kubernetes Karaoke Community. She also enjoys performing in musical improvisation theatre and standup comedy shows.*
* 7.45pm - food, more drinks & networking
* 8.00pm - **Talk** **2: "The Humans Behind the Platform: Structuring Teams for Culture and Capability**"
It’s easy to focus on the tech when building a Platform team, and that’s tremendously important, but it’s often the people and how they work together that determine success. Over the past couple of years, Claire has led a Platform Engineering Team through different formations, migrations, and tooling adoptions. Whatever shape the team has taken, whatever they're working on, the constants have been a need for clear purpose and a culture where people can thrive, this takes work, and has sometimes been tricky to get right. In this talk, she’ll share what she's learned from shaping and supporting platform teams: what’s worked (and what hasn’t) when it comes to team composition, balancing seniority, and supporting career growth. Collaboration is central to how to operate, so she’ll talk about how her team works with and supports internal customers, and what’s helped to navigate complex, knotty migration projects. She’ll also cover how they built a culture that gives engineers space to lead. We want engineers at every level to feel confident taking ownership, and that takes deliberate effort. If you’re figuring out how to shape your platform teams to enable others as well as deliver, this talk will offer practical ideas, and maybe a few things to rethink.
**Speaker:** Claire Reckless, Engineering Manager
*Claire is an Engineering Manager and leads a Platform Engineering Team. With a background spanning Tech Support, Testing, and QA across sectors like Finance and Security, she brings a deep appreciation for resilient systems and collaborative teams. Claire is passionate about learning and development, and she’s especially proud of her past work coordinating an apprentice programme, an initiative that’s helped build a more diverse and sustainable pipeline of engineering talent. She’s energised by helping engineers at all levels grow their confidence, take ownership, and shape the future of their teams.*
* 8.30pm onwards - drinks and networking.
So, please come and join us, we look forward to seeing you there.
The LOPUG team.
* Food and drinks provided
* Good time will be had by all
Weds British sign language (BSL) practice at the National Theatre, Southbank
This a BSL practice group for level 1 students and above. We will be meeting at the national theatre in southbank
Unreal Engine Workshop: FREE Game Design Meetup | GameCamp
***Enter the live meeting room here: [https://discord.gg/5wgxtr4c2u](https://discord.gg/5wgxtr4c2u)***
***Download the engine here: [https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/download](https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/download)***
Welcome to the **Unreal Engine Workshop!** In each session we'll tackle essential game design discussions, then transition into hands-on project creation. Participants will build and expand their skills continuously as we explore every aspect of game development. From basic blueprints and interactive mechanics, to advanced rigging, animation, environment design, and lighting, we'll work our way up to creating small complete games. We encourage experimentation and peer teaching, so whether you're a beginner or experienced developer looking to deepen your expertise, our sessions provide a supportive environment to learn, create, and innovate together in Unreal Engine 5.
Scala Talks: Functional Programming in Rust & Caching using Ref
🎉 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.
Design Strategy Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Abstract Strategy Games - May 2026 Meetup
Regular meetup for Abstract Strategy Games lovers, bring your own games or try the ones we have, sit, chill, have a drink and a snack and play :)
AI Web Design Course in London for Beginners | Start Your Own Agency
Learn how to build websites using AI and start your own web design business - no experience needed.
Includes training, tools, and a 12-month opportunity.
Official partner: Tide Bank \| Powered by Brand Backie and a custom AI website builder\.
**This isn't just a course. It's a business opportunity.**
We'll show you how to:
* Build websites using AI tools
* Start and grow your own web design business
* Find and sign up paying clients
* Get your entire business system set up for FREE for 12 months (conditions apply)
***
**PLEASE READ EVERYTHING BEFORE BOOKING**
***
**WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT**
This course was created by the people who actually built the tools you'll be using:
* **Brand Backie** — an AI marketing tool that helps you promote your services and find clients
* **Custom AI Builder** — a brand new AI website building platform that lets you create websites without writing any code
We also work with **Tide**, a business banking platform that gives you the proper banking setup to run your business legally from day one.
We didn't just study this stuff — we built it, we use it, and we'll show you exactly how it works.
***
**WHO IS THIS FOR?**
This is perfect for you if you:
* Have no background in web design or tech
* Want to earn money online
* Are thinking about going freelance or starting a small agency
* Want to learn AI tools and "vibe coding" (building with AI instead of writing code)
***
**WHAT YOU'LL LEARN**
* How to find businesses that need a website
* How to reach out to potential clients and get them interested
* How to build a professional website using AI — fast
* How to deliver your work in a clean, professional way
* How to set up and run your own agency
***
**WHAT YOU GET**
* Hands-on training with AI website building tools
* Access to a custom AI builder with built-in lead generation features
* A step-by-step plan to launch your agency
* A chance to qualify for up to 12 months of free access to the full system
***
**THE OPPORTUNITY**
By the end of the session, you'll know exactly how this business model works and whether it's the right fit for you.
If you decide to move forward, you'll be guided to open a Tide business bank account. This is the banking layer you need to legally operate your agency. You'll deposit a small amount (usually around £100) into your own account to get things up and running — this is your money, not a fee.
Once that's done, you'll get:
* Up to 12 months of free access to the full AI agency system (conditions apply)
* Ongoing support as you get started
* Full access to the website building and lead generation tools
* A clear action plan to land your first clients
***
**WHY COME?**
* Start a real online business from scratch
* Learn a skill that can generate income
* Build websites in minutes, not days
* Get clarity on how to find and sign your first clients
* Leave with tools and a plan you can act on immediately
***
**FORMAT**
In-person, practical workshop
***
**SCHEDULE**
* 4:00 – 4:20 PM: Welcome and overview
* 4:20 – 4:50 PM: How to get clients (beginner-friendly system)
* 4:50 – 5:30 PM: Live AI website building demo
* 5:30 – 6:00 PM: Q&A and next steps
***
**ARRIVAL - Be on Time!**
This is a structured session - everyone starts together. Please arrive on time. If you're more than 15 minutes late, you won't be able to join, as it's disruptive to the other attendees.
***
**LOCATION**
Sierra Quebec Bravo, Canary Wharf, London. Ask reception when you arrive and they'll point you to the right room.
***
**WHAT TO BRING**
* A laptop (recommended)
* A willingness to learn and take action
***
**IMPORTANT**
The 12-month free system access is offered to eligible participants based on their commitment and suitability.
***
**BOOK YOUR SPOT**
If you've been thinking about starting something for yourself, this is a great place to begin. Spaces are limited — register now.
Follow us to hear about future workshops.
Dead Product Society | After Work Drinks
**Dead Product Society \| After Work Drinks**
Come along, bring a friend/colleague or two and join us for a relaxed evening of informal product and tech chats over a few drinks and doughnuts. We aim to connect everyone without awkwardness or LinkedIn spiel, and value good conversation over boring presentations.
**Who is welcome?**
Product Managers, CEOs, UX/UI Designers, Developers, Scrum Masters etc. We welcome anyone who works in, with or wants to break into product.
*Note: We intentionally keep our After Work Drinks on the smaller side to allow for more in-depth conversations.*
**The Bike Shed**
We'll be hanging out in the lounge area (behind the area with all the tables, next to the store).
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-
**Dead Product Society**
Dead Product Society is a collective of like-minded professionals sharing real-talk and joining forces to navigate the twists and turns of the product world. Our down-to-earth community is for anyone who works in, with or wants to break into product teams regardless of their background or experience.
**Our Sponsors**
Shout out to our generous sponsors at Waggel Pet Insurance; Lifetime pet insurance, simplified. With their support we are able to host these events for you and create a space for those important, honest conversations.
ICONIC STATEMENTS: Luxe Photoshoot & Catwalk at L’arch
**PLEASE PURCHASE YOUR TICKET VIA THIS LINK ONLY:** **[TICKETS](https://fatso.ma/3foN).**
Step into a bold new creative playground at **L’arch** — a 1,200 sq ft converted railway arch launching this spring as a striking photoshoot space designed for powerful visual storytelling.
This immersive urban venue blends industrial edge with theatrical elegance, offering a dynamic backdrop for high-impact content, fashion editorials, and artistic collaborations.
**Theme: “Iconic Statements”**
Inspired by underground culture, high fashion, and futuristic fantasy, this shoot fuses burlesque drama,, and urban-core aesthetics — all elevated with elegance and class.
It’s about reclaiming space, pushing boundaries, and creating visuals that feel iconic, rebellious, and unforgettable.
Whether you’re shooting, modeling, styling, or showcasing your work — this space is built to transform creative visions into standout content.
**WHAT TO EXPECT**
✨ 4-Hour Collaborative Photoshoot
👠 Live Catwalk Runway Moments throughout the session
🤝 Network While Shooting — connect, collaborate, and create in real time
🎥 High-Volume Content Opportunities
• Behind-the-scenes
• Backstage footage
⚡ Relaxed but High-Energy Creative Vibe
Designed to maximise output while keeping it fun and supportive.
**VENUE HIGHLIGHTS – L’ARCH SHOOTING LOCATION**
🎹 Baby Grand Piano
👗 Plush Dressing & Prep Area
👑 Statement Throne with Wings
💡 Neon Runway Catwalk
🎨 Graffiti Walls & Industrial Textures
🛋 Semi-Circle Sofa for Editorial Setups
🔆 Iconic Illuminated Signage
🏢 Expansive 1,200 sq ft Open-Plan Layout
**Who’s this for?**
✔ Photographers & Content Creators (All skill levels welcome)
✔ Models & Performers (No experience required)
✔ Designers, Stylists, MUAs & Visual Artists
✔ Anyone looking to collaborate, create, and elevate their portfolio
DRESS CODE – MODELS
Models should arrive with 1–3 of their own looks prepared before the shoot.
If designers are joining, they will be present to provide additional outfit changes on the day.
STYLE DIRECTION
Think editorial, bold, and expressive.
✨ Burlesque glamour, class & elegance
✨ Futuristic silhouettes
✨ Elevated urban looks
ENCOURAGED ELEMENTS
Corsetry • Leather • Metallics • Tailoring
Dramatic accessories • Statement makeup
Bring pieces that tell a story — this is a space to go all in.
**Collaboration Disclaimer:**
This is a collaborative shoot.
• No additional charges should apply for models to receive photos.
• All imagery created must be shared without logos or watermarks.
• Everyone involved will be encouraged to collaborate via Instagram & credit all creatives appropriately.
We’ll ensure all participants are informed and aligned to keep the collaboration fair, respectful, and transparent.
**Want in?**
Once you grab your ticket, email welove.socialise@gmail.com with your WhatsApp number and Instagram handle.
You’ll be added to the WhatsApp group chat at least 2 weeks (if not before) before the event where all final details will be shared.
📍 Exact location revealed to ticket holders only
📸 Follow us on IG **@welove_shoots** for updates and previews
London daytime testing at Waterloo
We playtest all sorts of games - strategic, silly, creative, or whatever. Some games are almost done. Some are very early ideas. We test anything that will fit into 90 minutes.
You don't need to bring a game - we always love to have new playtesters!
Please let us know in the comments when you plan to arrive/leave and whether you are bringing a game or not. This helps us to plan the day better.
The schedule is:
10am onwards - gathering, chatting
11am sharp - playing for 90 min ('slot 1')
12:30ish - break for food/chat
1pm sharp - playing for 90 min ('slot 2')
2:30ish - break for food/chat
3pm sharp - playing for 90 min ('slot 3')
4:30ish - finish up
Often, we might hang around afterwards, to play some already-published games.
We are strict on timings, so please try to arrive a few minutes before the session to limit disruption.
You can just come for part of the day if you wish. The reason we have fixed timings for the 3 'slots' is to make it easier for folk to do so.
Designers of all levels of experience are welcome! But if it's your first time, we ask that you don't bring a game and just spend some time learning how the group works.
The group works based on reciprocation. If you expect to test your own game, make sure stay for long enough to play other games. As a general rule of thumb, you can expect to play one of your own games every third 90-minute session. So if you stay a whole day (3 sessions), you can expect to have one session to play your game(s). A good rule of thumb is that if you come all day, you will have one 90 minute session with two other playtesters in which to test your own games. It is sometimes possible to test games with more players. If your game requires 4 or more, please note that as standard you will be allocated half of a session (45 minutes).
Pre-covid, we were getting unmanageable. As a result, we may have to limit attendees. This is a free-to-use venue, and we have to be mindful that other folk want to use the same space.
Please note: This is an adults only event.
We look forward to seeing you!
Meetup #16 Reimagining Software Development With AI
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!)
The Unscented Transform: Theory and Bayesian Applications
**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.
Design Strategy Events Near You
Connect with your local Design Strategy community
American Sign Language Beginners Meetup Group
We meet to learn and practice American Sign Language and to grow our familiarity with Deaf culture. Facilitated by hearing folks (with a connection to a professional interpreter) using Deaf-created content. People of all ASL skill levels are welcome! As we learn, we hope to connect more with the Deaf community in Central Ohio. Join us as you're able!
Come regularly or just once - whatever you're looking for! Each meetup will explore different topics related to ASL/Deaf culture, and will feature time to practice conversation with one another. Just bring yourself and a willingness to learn!
Building Momentum: From Ambiguity to Execution
**Building a great product is one thing—building momentum behind it is another.**
Join **Senior Product Manager Adam Solaiman** and **User Experience Manager Tyson Smith** for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to turn complex ideas into scalable products inside large organizations.
In this session, they’ll share how teams move from ambiguity to execution—navigating organizational complexity, aligning stakeholders, and continuously evolving products after launch.
You’ll walk away with insights on how to:
* Build and sustain momentum across teams
* Adapt to changing priorities without losing direction
* Scale products thoughtfully in complex environments
Whether you're driving a new initiative or growing an existing product, this conversation will give you practical strategies to keep things moving forward.
Come connect, learn, and swap stories with fellow product professionals.
\-\-\-
Food and drinks will be provided by Switchbox, our generous host.
Free parking will be available at the front and back sides of the Switchbox Office.
CBusData - Practical AI for Power BI Developers
Practical AI for Power BI Developers
A year ago, “agentic AI” was mostly hype for Power BI teams. Today, it deserves your undivided attention. For Power BI pros, there is now a real opportunity to reduce repetitive development work, accelerate delivery, and help developers do more, but only when strong DataOps practices are in place to make AI workflows effective.
This session is a no-nonsense introduction to effective AI patterns for Power BI and Fabric development. Along the way, we will make sense of the growing pile of terminology, including skills, plugins, hooks, and MCP. You will see examples of how modern AI tooling can help with development tasks across Power BI and Fabric, along with the prerequisites, guardrails, and DataOps principles needed to use it responsibly.
Whether you're burned out on AI hype or already using Copilot CLI daily, this session will show you the foundations that are finally making AI-assisted development genuinely useful.
Candle Making Night at The Arcane Foundry | Design Your Own Custom Candle
## Candle Making Night at The Arcane Foundry \| Design Your Own Custom Candle
**SPECIAL PROMOTION**: Buy 3 and get 1 Free!
Step into The Arcane Foundry and create your own custom candle from start to finish. This is a laid back, hands-on experience where **you’ll blend fragrances, choose your vessel, and pour your own candle using 100% soy wax**. Whether you’re coming solo or with friends, it’s designed to be simple, creative, and a good time.
We’ll walk you through the entire process, from picking your scents to choosing between a traditional cotton wick or a crackling wood wick. You can go with one fragrance or mix your own blend to create something completely unique**. No experience needed**, just show up and we’ll handle the rest.
While your candle sets, feel free to hang out, play a game, explore the shop, or just relax and talk. Drinks and snacks are available, and the atmosphere leans into the **fantasy**, **dark academia**, and **gothic horror** vibe The Arcane Foundry is known for.
Learn More: [Candle Making in Columbus, Ohio at The Arcane Foundry](https://thearcanefoundry.com/candle-making/)
***
### What to Expect:
* Guided candle making experience
* Choose your own vessel, wax, wick, and fragrance
* 100% soy wax candles
* Optional drinks and snacks
* Time to relax while your candle cools
***
### Important Notes:
* Please arrive on time so we can start together
* Candles will need time to set before taking home
* This is a beginner-friendly event
***
### RSVP Required
Reserve your spot on Meetup to lock in your seat.
**Candle Making** (includes vessel, your choice of wick, wax, scented oil, labels and lids)
5oz Glass Jars $15
8oz Candle Tins $25
12oz Glass Candles $35
12oz Amber Jars $40
16 oz Skull or Jack o Lantern Candle Mugs $65 (Limited Edition!)
**All materials included. You just bring yourself (and your drink of choice).**
**Payments accepted:**
* Credit Card
* Venmo: @Daclaud-Lee
* Cashapp: $DaclaudL
TBD
**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
Data & Analytics Wednesday - Mapping and Dashboards
**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)






























