Information Science

Join us on May 21st to learn, share, and network with some of the most experienced professionals who are passionate about AI/ML. This time, we’re excited to have **Revolut** as a special partner. Topics: \- Anton Repushko\, Lead Researcher\, Revolut: "Build Next-Generation Foundation Models in Finance" \- Nicolas Atienza\, Researcher\, Neuralk AI: "Gradient Boosting to Tabular Foundation Models: What Changed, What Didn't" \- Ivan Dolgov\, JetBrains: "Pre\-training at JetBrains: fast MoE perfectly fit for H100/200 GPUs" \- Kir Zharov\, Spinner AI: "Building the unified knowledge layer for self\-improving agents" More talks will be added soon You can submit your talk here: [https://forms.gle/wiWyD5sBqzZtCfpMA](https://forms.gle/wiWyD5sBqzZtCfpMA) If you’d like to become a partner for this or one of the upcoming meetups, message [https://www.linkedin.com/in/fedorshabashev/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/fedorshabashev/) or [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirzharov/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirzharov/) In the meantime, you can watch the previously recorded talks: [https://youtube.com/@londonpytorchmeetup](https://youtube.com/@londonpytorchmeetup) Please subscribe to our channel! ❤️

This **in-person theatre** and **livestream** talk is available online from Gresham College to Basingstoke Science subscribers. **ADVANCE BOOKING AND PAYMENT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TALK.** **More details and booking instructions on the Gresham web site:** **[https://www.gresham.ac.uk/speakers/professor-robin-may](https://www.gresham.ac.uk/speakers/professor-robin-may)** **SUMMARY** #### Part of: **[Notes from a Large Planet: a citizen’s guide to the Earth](https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/series/large-planet)** The polar regions are still some of the most inaccessible and least touched by humans, but they are deeply linked to the rest of Earth. We will cover the history of exploring them, the challenges of measuring this environment, and the current state of knowledge about the ice at both poles. We will also cover the likely future for the polar regions – the incentives driving different actions, what science suggests about the consequences, and coming events to look out for. **LIVESTREAM TIMING** **The livestream will go live at 5.55pm, and the introduction will begin at 6.00pm. If you register but miss the livestream, the video will be available to you via the same link for two weeks after the event date.** For more information on livestreams, see the information below, or [visit our FAQs page](https://www.rigb.org/whats/faqs-ri-livestreams). Please use the event link you have been provided with. Gresham College has offered an outstanding education to the public free of charge for over 400 years. Today, Gresham College plays an important role in fostering a love of learning and a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Please consider making a donation on their web site to support the work of Gresham College.

**AI is becoming part of many documentation workflows, but how do you turn that into a clear, repeatable strategy?** At this month’s meetup, we’ll focus on how to build an AI docs strategy by identifying gaps in your current approach, creating practical playbooks, and using automation to support consistent, scalable documentation. In this session, [Maddy Onyehara](https://www.linkedin.com/in/maddalena-o-bb2372020) (Technical Writer, Cloudflare), [Jun Lee](https://www.linkedin.com/in/junlee98?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios) (Senior Technical Writer, Cloudflare), and [Anita Achu](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-achu?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios) (Technical Writer, Upsun) will walk through how to approach AI in documentation in a structured way. This includes spotting where current workflows fall short, designing playbooks teams can rely on, and introducing automation that improves quality without adding unnecessary complexity. 🔔 **Note** Please note: spaces are limited, so please RSVP only if you’re able to attend and free up your spot if your plans change. 🗒️ **Agenda** **When**: Thursday, 21 May, from 6:00pm **Where**: The Gallery @ [The Corner](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xegvGx3qA9ysEgvA6) (42 Adler Street, E1 1EE) **What**: **18:00 - 18:30** Arrival **18:30 - 18:40** Welcome & Housekeeping **18:40 - 19:00** Presentation from our sponsor, [Document360](https://document360.com/) **19:00 - 19:50** Session: Build Your AI Docs Strategy **19:50 - 20:00** Q&A **20:00 - 21:00** Networking All times are approximate. **📍 How to find us** Enter the hotel, turn right, and pass the bar to find The Gallery meeting room. Look for WTD signs and friendly organisers. **📸 Photos** Please note that organisers may take photos during the event for the Write the Docs London community.

**Join a select group of senior technology leaders for a private lunch at Selfridges to explore how to architect AI systems that perform under pressure - without introducing unnecessary complexity or unpredictable costs.** **Please note:** We can only accept registrations via our official page. **A registration on Meetup alone will not be accepted as a confirmed entry.** 👉 **Register here to secure you space:** [https://events.couchbase.com/register/d317f9f4-1a09-4eea-9e60-c58138160052/](https://events.couchbase.com/register/d317f9f4-1a09-4eea-9e60-c58138160052/) In modern enterprise applications, performance is the backbone of user trust, and AI is quickly becoming mission-critical to delivering it. From managing high-concurrency workloads to real-time personalization at scale, platforms are under increasing pressure to deliver intelligent experiences instantly, reliably, and cost-effectively. However, for many organizations, the true challenge isn't experimenting with AI—it’s making it work at scale. *** ​This executive lunch focuses on the architectural hurdles of moving from AI prototypes to production-ready systems. Our presentation and the following conversations will focus on: * **Performance Under Pressure:** Maintaining sub-millisecond responsiveness during massive traffic spikes and critical processing windows. * **Cost Predictability:** Scaling Generative AI without infrastructure costs spiraling out of control. * **Operational Simplicity:** Reducing data stack complexity to accelerate time-to-market and innovation. * **AI-Native Infrastructure:** How Couchbase’s unified platform addresses context variability and fragmented architectures. ​**What to Expect** * ​**Executive Networking:** An intimate environment for senior technology, data, AI, and digital leaders. * ​**Strategic Insights:** Real-world examples of architecting for the future of retail. * ​**Premium Experience:** Private dining at one of London's most iconic locations

Flamenco Dance Classes for Improvers at Danceworks every Thursday! We will work on the placement of the body, the perception of the rhythm, clapping, footwork, and movements of arms and head. Choreography depends on the level: Alegrías, Bulerías, Tangos, Soleá, etc. If you have dancing shoes and clothes, bring them. Otherwise, don't worry, feel comfortable to dance! When? **Every Thursday** Time: **19:00 - 20:00** Where? **Danceworks** 16 Balderton St, London W1K 6TN Studio 4 Nearest Tube stations: **Bond St.** Marble Arch Cost? £13 per class. **Book here:** https://danceworks.com/london/classes/timetable/ Class bookings become available 7 days in advance. Online bookings close 15 minutes before the class starts but you can book in person up to the start time. **Waiting lists are available.** ***About Maika:*** Maika is a flamenco and Spanish dance teacher with more than 17 years of experience, teaching adults and children in Spain, the United States of America, Mexico, Canada, and UK. She also led flamenco classes at Rey Juan Carlos University from 2013 to 2018. Born and raised in Madrid (Spain), she began studying ballet and Spanish dance at the tender age of nine. Maika studied at Karen Taft Dance Academy and Flamenco Centre “Amor de Dios”, majoring in Spanish Dance at the Conservatory of Dance in Madrid. In 2003, she was awarded a Teaching Methodology Applied to Spanish Dance certificate and then focused her career on dance education. Maika has continued her professional training alongside teachers including Antonio Canales, Alfonso Losa, La Lupi, Rojas and Rodriguez. Maika co-founded the company Spanish Flamenco Tour, based in Miami (USA), a business dedicated to promoting flamenco and Spanish culture, to a local audience. Adding more strings to her bow, Maika embarked on a Master´s Degree in Leadership and Management of Cultural Projects at the Institute of Dance “Alicia Alonso”, Rey Juan Carlos University. Her final master’s project was based on promoting Spanish dance, receiving a First-Class Degree. Maika’s classes are designed to extract every student’s natural ability to dance and show them how wonderful and fun, this art form is.

If AI tools are already becoming part of your daily life, this dinner is for you. Explore AI over dinner at a Michelin-listed London restaurant. Tools, opportunities and real conversation. **Meet2Click Curated Conversations** Each Meet2Click Curated Conversation dinner centres around a carefully chosen topic or shared interest, designed to spark thoughtful conversation and meaningful connection. **Curious about how AI is changing our lives — and want to explore it in a relaxed dinner setting?** Artificial Intelligence is evolving rapidly. New tools, ideas, and breakthroughs are reshaping how we work, create, and think. Instead of abstract debate, this evening is about sharing what we’re discovering in real life. Two days before the dinner, guests will receive a short, accessible overview of interesting AI tools — simply to spark ideas. At the table, we’ll explore: • Is AI making us smarter or lazier? • What is the most exciting real-life use of AI right now? • What should humans protect in an AI-driven world? No technical background required. **Launch Season Benefit** During our initial Meet2Click dinners, guests will enjoy **up to 50% off food** at the restaurant. This introductory benefit is available for a limited launch period. Food and drinks are paid individually, directly with the restaurant. **Details** Location: La Trattoria 15 Cromwell Place, SW7 2LA London La Trattoria is a highly rated, intimate Italian restaurant in South Kensington, with a menu designed by Michelin-starred chef Alfredo Russo. **Date: 21 May 2026, 19.30h** **Ticket price:** £15 per person *(includes your seat and contribution to the evening — food and drinks ordered and paid individually at the restaurant)* Seats are intentionally limited to encourage meaningful conversation and genuine connection. Just an open, relaxed exchange of ideas over dinner. **Additional Information:** Photos or videos may be taken during the event for promotional purposes. Should you wish to opt out, please notify the host upon arrival, and your preferences will be respected.

***WARNING*** *If you are new to our Meet Up or haven't attended any class for months, please, BEFORE signing up to a conversation class, send an email in French to Christian at frenchlondonexperience at gmail dot com ; Anyone -* aforementioned - *signing up to a class before getting an agreement will be removed from the list. Thanks for your cooperation.* You want to push up your fluency, your pronunciation and your French skills? You want to get more vocabulary, knowledge and understanding of French, the French and France? You want to speak on various topics with the support of a French native tutor? Each week, we come up to a different theme. It pushes your conversation skills up. It helps you to speak about many topics and to interact in French in multiple contexts. Regular attendees learn a lot, make improvements and are able to have a chat about numerous topic! The bonus, you will be able to ask questions to an authentic French native! This class is for French speakers with an Intermediate level. **THE CLASS:** This is a face-to-face conversation class lasting 90 minutes run by a French native & professional tutor (in London since 2016). The whole class happens in French and is dedicated to French speakers with an Intermediate level (if not sure, send a message to the organiser). The tutor helps you to structure and improve your phrasing, and to develop your understanding. During the class, first, we dedicate some time for a little introductory chat. Then, we approach the theme, read a text (you get a copy for the session), speak, learn vocabulary and things about French culture. The theme is always linked to French, the French and France. At the end, we wrap up and keep a few minutes for some miscellaneous questions. After the class, you will get an email with a list of vocabulary (some words / expressions seen along the class). **IMPORTANT** If you are new to our Meet Up, please send ASAP an email in French at frenchlondonexperience at gmail dot com to introduce yourself, to check your level, to confirm your space and to get the Bank details for payment. **PRICING:** You can pay each time or by block (then you save money) \- £15 per session \(to be paid when signing up by bank transfer \- Bank details on request\) \- £60 for 6 sessions \(to be used within 3 months \- to be paid in advance by bank transfer \- Bank details on request\) People who sign up without paying will be removed from the list. If, after your first attendance, you decide to subscribe to the offer of £60 for 6 classes, you add £45 and then you incorporate your first class in the subscription. The pricing is made to encourage you to attend more regularly as improvements will come with regularity. **TERMS & CONDITIONS** If you are to join, you are more than welcome to sign up. But, please, if you have an unforeseen hitch, up date your status as soon as possible. As spaces are limited, if you don't turn up or if you cancel at the last minute, a space is wasted. Thanks for helping. \- Fees are payable at the booking \- No refund \(exchange for cancellation more than 12 hours before the start of the event\) \- No refund\, no exchange for late cancellation \(less than 12 hours\) or non\-attendance \- People who don't turn may be banned\. If the session is fully booked, please put your name on the waiting list but ONLY if you are sure to be able to attend the session. As soon a space becomes available, even at the very last minute, you will be on the attendance list. Then you will be expected to attend the session and it will be due, even if you don't actually attend. Thanks for your cooperation and thanks for understanding. Follow French London Experience [http://www.facebook.com/frenchlondonexperience/](http://www.facebook.com/frenchlondonexperience/) [https://www.instagram.com/frenchlondonexperience/](https://www.instagram.com/frenchlondonexperience/) [https://twitter.com/FLE_Christian](https://twitter.com/FLE_Christian) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0ZB8-AhXTeqNF9MwEySmeg Website: [www.frenchlondonexperience.com](http://www.frenchlondonexperience.com/)

Exactly thirty years ago, Alan Sokal published his famous hoax, intensifying the “Science Wars” and criticising postmodern thinkers such as Bruno Latour and Jaques Derrida for their interpretations of science. The Science Wars represent an attempt, perhaps an unsuccessful but nonetheless meaningful one, at establishing a dialogue between philosophy and the natural sciences. In this iteration of the Philosophy of Life Sciences Reading Group we’ll revisit this moment by returning to one of Latour’s early engagements with science: his essay “Give me a laboratory and I will raise the world”. Here, Latour views the lab not as an isolated, “sacred” space, but as a powerful site which transforms the invisible into visible, not a passive observer but something that actively reshapes reality. Are scientific facts constructed? What is a scientific truth? Anyone from any background is welcome! If you’d like the pdf or to ask any question feel free to drop me a message. Please don’t worry too much about the RSVP list: we usually have 5-10 people attending already.

Do you want to meet new people in a relaxing chill atmosphere surrounded by new books? Do you dislike loud and smelly places like pubs and clubs? This is the event for you. Science and Philosophy Book Club is creating a new kind of meetup where people who love books and knowledge can meet new friends in a big book shop. We will explore around different sections of the book shop together as a group while making interesting conversations with each other. We will go to both fiction and non-fiction areas. If you feel shy and feel nervous to come alone, I will make sure you will feel comfortable and accomodate to your needs. I will help introduce you to others so you can go over the barrier of anxiety when approaching a new person. We will meet on the ground floor lounge area of Doubletree Hilton Hotel at 6 p.m. It is an amazing cosy bar with classy vibes. We will wait for everyone to show up while getting some drinks and socializing. At 7 p.m we will head to the Waterstones book store near Russel Square and UCL. After we explore the book store, we will come back to the hotel bar and stay there for the rest of the night. This event requires £5 donation to cover the venue fees. You can pay via cash or card. Thank you for helping the book club!

Join us for a special edition of Deeper Discussions, where we dive into thought-provoking **fiction** that challenges perspectives, sparks imagination, and opens doors to meaningful conversations. Whether you're a lifelong reader or rediscovering the joy of novels, this is a space to explore stories that stay with you long after the final page. **This Month's Book - One hundred years of solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez** One Hundred Years of Solitude follows generations of the Buendía family in the fictional town of Macondo. It blends everyday life with magical, surreal events in a dreamlike style. The story explores time, memory, and the repeating patterns of family life. **How does it work?** * Brief introductions and reflections on what struck you most * Moderated discussion exploring plot, themes, and characters * Open conversation where different interpretations are welcomed ️ * We wrap up by sharing insights and connections made **What to Expect?** **Close Reading:** We go beyond surface-level plot summary. Expect discussions that examine the author's choices, narrative techniques, and the questions left lingering in the silence between pages. **Thoughtful Dialogue:** This isn't a race to share opinions—it's a space for genuine exploration. We listen, we reflect, we build on each other's insights. **Meaningful Connections:** Great fiction holds up a mirror to the human experience. Through discussing characters' choices and moral dilemmas, we often discover something about ourselves and each other. **How to get the most out of this event?** **Finish the Book:** Please attend only if you've completed the book. Spoilers will flow freely, and the richest discussions come from those who've made the full journey. **Ground it in the Text:** Bring your interpretations, but anchor them in what's actually on the page. Quote passages. Reference scenes. Let the author's words guide us. **Respect & Openness:** Every interpretation matters. Make space for quieter voices. Challenge ideas, not people. Stay curious rather than defensive. **Why a Fiction Book Club?** **Explore the Human Condition:** Fiction lets us inhabit lives we'll never live, forcing us to confront questions about identity, morality, love, and loss. **Sharpen Your Thinking:** Close reading develops critical thinking—noticing what the author chose to include, exclude, and how the story is told matters as much as what happens. **Deepen Connections:** Discussing characters' choices and moral dilemmas creates surprisingly intimate conversations with fellow readers. **Who is this event for?** * You find yourself thinking about books long after you've finished them * You want more from book discussions than "I liked it" or "I didn't" * You're curious how others interpret the same story differently * You value thoughtful dialogue over debate ️✨ * You're looking for meaningful connections with fellow readers **What's in it for you?** * **Fresh Perspectives:** Discover interpretations you'd never have considered alone * **Deeper Understanding:** Unpack themes and symbols that enrich your reading * **Genuine Connection:** Bond with others over shared literary experiences * **A Space to Think:** Slow down from the noise and engage with ideas that matter **Ready to dive deeper into stories that matter?** Join us for an evening where fiction becomes a gateway to understanding ourselves and each other. ✨ **We really hope to see you there!** **About Deeper Connections** We have a mission at Deeper Connections to improve the quality of people's lives through conversation. All our events are centred around the concept of connecting deeply, because we believe we all deserve to be seen, felt and understood for who we really are. To have the 'deeper conversation' approach when relating with others can change our lives and can change the world. **Our Values** * **Respect:** Treat everyone with kindness and consideration. ❤️ * **Open-mindedness:** Be open to different perspectives and ideas. * **Active Participation:** Share your thoughts and engage in meaningful discussions. ️ **Staying in touch** Interested in finding out about all the events sooner than on Meetup or staying in touch beyond the events, you can join our WhatsApp channel and community using [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Channel](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6CBAdIN9ijrEYdv33z) [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Community](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EqGsmF3021RKTwBpGcuR80) **Keep This Event Free** If this event brings you something meaningful, you can help others access the same transformational experience. Whether it's £5 or £15, every contribution keeps these events accessible to everyone in our community. You'll find a QR code on your conversation sheet during the event, or you can contribute here #SupportYourCommunity [Ko-Fi](https://ko-fi.com/deeperconnections) [Buy Me A Coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/deeperconnections) [PayPal](https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/DDSNCCFCYUEB2)

**Please make sure you get a ticket** **only RSVP won’t count**- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/indian-professionals-in-london-ai-bootcamp-tickets-1988464324322 AI Bootcamp: Practical AI for Everyday Work A Hands-On Meetup Experience About This Session Whether you’re running a startup, leading a team, or looking to work smarter — this session shows you how to practically implement AI in your work. Real use cases, live demos, and hands-on building. No fluff, no theory overload. Duration: 3 Hours Format: Interactive + Hands-On Level: Beginner to Intermediate What We’ll Cover • What AI Actually Is — Cut through the hype. Understand what AI and automation can realistically do for your business or role today • AI Across Industries — Use cases from startups, operations, HR, finance, sales, marketing, and customer success • AI Automation in Practice — Where automation fits: workflows, lead handling, content pipelines, internal ops, and more • Live Demonstrations — Watch AI tackle real business problems — from generating SOPs to summarising data to drafting investor-ready content • Build Your Own Use Case — Map one challenge from your business or job to an AI solution and build your first working prompt or workflow • Group Sharing — Peer learning across founders, operators, and professionals from different industries • Safe & Smart AI Use — Governance, limitations, what needs human oversight, and how to build AI into your team responsibly • Your 30-Day Implementation Plan — Leave with a clear starting point: one use case, one tool, one action What You’ll Leave With • A mapped AI use case specific to your business or role • A working prompt or automation blueprint you built in the session • A 30-day plan to implement AI in one area of your work • Practical frameworks for evaluating AI tools and workflows • A network of founders and professionals building with AI Who Should Attend • Startup founders exploring how to use AI to scale without scaling headcount • Team leads and operators who want to automate repetitive processes • Professionals looking to use AI to do higher-quality work, faster • Anyone serious about moving from curious about AI to actually using it Bring your laptop. Come with one business problem in mind. Leave with a plan to solve it.

Join fellow Indian pros in London for a day of fun, hands-on AI bootcamp where you’ll level up your skills and network for all levels! **AI Bootcamp: Practical AI for Everyday Work** Hands-on session where participants discover how AI can save time and improve daily work through real examples, simple prompts, and immediate takeaways. **Key Topics Covered** **AI Fundamentals & Ethics:** Understanding AI capabilities, limitations, and responsible use. **Prompt Engineering:** Techniques for using tools like ChatGPT and DALL·E. **No-Code/Low-Code Tools:** Utilizing platforms like Zapier, Canva AI, and Notion for workflow automation. **My Job, My AI Use Case" Activity** Worksheet exercise: identify one repetitive task from your job, turn it into an AI use case, build simple prompts. **Industry-Specific Use Cases:** Real examples from operations, HR, finance, retail, marketing, healthcare admin. Shows specific problems AI solves faster.

May's Book: The Age of Diagnosis :Are Medical Labels Doing Us More Harm Than Good? by Suzanne O'Sullivan. **A BEST BOOK OF 2025 IN *THE TIMES*, *SUNDAY TIMES*, *FINANCIAL TIMES, GUARDIAN*, *ECONOMIST, OBSERVER, LONDON STANDARD, NEW STATESMAN* AND *IRISH TIMES*** ***'Revelatory. Slices through the contradictions that had tied me in knots.'* \- CHRIS VAN TULLEKEN** ***'So well-written. Raising awareness of something that is critically important.'* \- RANGAN CHATTERJEE** **From autism to allergies, ADHD to long Covid, more people are being labelled with medical conditions than ever before. But can a diagnosis do us more harm than good?** The boundaries between sickness and health are being redrawn. Mental health categories are shifting and expanding all the time, radically altering what we consider to be 'normal'. Genetic tests can now detect pathologies decades before people experience symptoms, and sometimes before they're even born. And increased health screening draws more and more people into believing they are unwell. An accurate diagnosis can bring greater understanding and of course improved treatment. But many diagnoses aren't as definitive as we think. And in some cases they risk turning healthy people into patients. Drawing on the stories of real people, as well as decades of clinical practice and the latest medical research, Dr Suzanne O'Sullivan overturns long held assumptions and reframes how we think about illness and health. The meeting starts at 7:30. Shortly after 7.30, we will break up into small groups. Those familiar with the CLH Book Group meeting know how this works: in each group we take turns introducing ourselves and giving our 1 minute thoughts on the book. It's important not to go over a minute and not to interrupt other people's minute so that everyone gets a chance to participate. After this first round, each group discusses for another 20 minutes or so. We then shuffle the groups so as to talk to as many different people as possible and in the new groups repeat our introductions and 1 minute thoughts. We'll do this a couple of times before coming all together at the end in one last big group. While we are very social and welcoming, the book group's primary focus is on discussing books. Feel free to turn up if you haven't managed to finish this month's book but note that the group works best when we have all read at least half of the book and are prepared to share our opinions. *** £3 per person to attend. If it's your first time, come and try us out for free! If you prefer, you can [pay online, by clicking here](https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=ZWCNRJ25BDL96). We encourage dialogue, debate and sharing of information on our site but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any views expressed here are those of the individual posting them and may not reflect those of CLH.

**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

**Welcome to Drunken Philosophy** a casual, curious social discussion **Optional topic for this meetup: What's up with all the AI hate?** A recent survey found that 74% of Americans have a negative view of AI, and I want to know why. Come out and debate whether AI is good or bad. My hot take: a labor-saving tool that could potentially help cure cancer gets called dangerous because it might raise unemployment or cause a speculative investment bubble, that tells you a lot more about capitalism and the economic system we live under than it does about the tool itself. As a computer programmer, I think AI is a wonderful tool that has increased my productivity by at least an order of magnitude. I'd go so far as to say Claude Code is the best tool I have ever used. Debate me and name a better one. Is AI potentially dangerous? Yes, but so are a lot of tools. Chainsaws. Steam engines (early ones would occasionally explode and kill everyone in the room). Do you think cavemen sat around debating whether fire could be used as a weapon or for self-harm, and decided not to discover it? I have two friends who hate AI for opposite reasons: one thinks it's a fad and not useful, and the other thinks it's going to take over everything and cause human extinction. Come out tonight, have a friendly debate, and make some friends. No lectures. Friendly crowd. Drop in for one drink and stay if it's fun.

**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** Like it or not, AI agents are now capable of turning a quickly written paragraph of requirements into a pull request that is ready to be integrated into real-world production applications and it's now our responsibility to make sure AI doesn't go rogue and take down prod - or corrupt our data by misunderstanding the requirements or our existing schemas. In this session we'll explore strategies to protect our codebases through unit and integration testing, documentation, and code review along with additional ways of providing context and guard rails to our AI agents as they carry out the work we've assigned them to do. By the time we're done, you'll have a firm grasp of the problem and understand some helpful options for protecting your codebase from vibe coding mishaps getting YOLOed into prod. **YouTube Link** TBD

SATURDAY: This event is 2:30 - 4 pm SATURDAY. Conversation tends toward intermediate/advanced, but everybody is welcome. If you come and don't see us right away, keep looking. We could be anywhere in the restaurant.

By popular demand, the group wanted to read and discuss the semi-autobiographical novel by Henri-Pierre Roche, that inspired the Truffaut movie we watched last year. The book is available through the Columbus Library's interlibrary loan system. They reported there are twenty-eight copies available in the state of Ohio. If you have a library card, you can file an interlibrary loan request here: https://www.columbuslibrary.org/library-services/ . There are also used copies available on Amazon and eBay for under twenty dollars. You may want to rewatch the movie after reading the book, so we can compare and contrast in our discussion. The Columbus Library has four copies on DVD, and it's streaming on HBOMax.

The June Ohio North Database Training user group meeting will be held on **June 2nd, 2026 at 5:00PM**. This will be a **HYBRID** event and we will be joined online by **Sam Nasr.** You're welcome to come meet in-person at our meeting location, the offices of Improving at **[6000 Freedom Square Dr,](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Improving/@41.4004167,-81.6614462,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x8830e5b8255c5919:0xd8297060eb68fe04!4m6!3m5!1s0x8830dc7a0fe35dc9:0xbfc4710ecadfc5c!8m2!3d41.4004127!4d-81.6588713!16s%2Fg%2F1hm3hkqp3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQzMC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)** **[Unit 110,](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Improving/@41.4004167,-81.6614462,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x8830e5b8255c5919:0xd8297060eb68fe04!4m6!3m5!1s0x8830dc7a0fe35dc9:0xbfc4710ecadfc5c!8m2!3d41.4004127!4d-81.6588713!16s%2Fg%2F1hm3hkqp3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQzMC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)** **[Independence, OH 44131](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Improving/@41.4004167,-81.6614462,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x8830e5b8255c5919:0xd8297060eb68fe04!4m6!3m5!1s0x8830dc7a0fe35dc9:0xbfc4710ecadfc5c!8m2!3d41.4004127!4d-81.6588713!16s%2Fg%2F1hm3hkqp3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQzMC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)** [Teams Link ](https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/215625630917731?p=vxNb3zudhNj0S6Cg0v)if anyone needs it after RSVP-ing for in person. If you would like to subscribe to our email list outside of Meetup, we have changed platforms recently and you will need to register [here in Kit ](https://ohio-north-data-training.kit.com/b8f036f615)instead to receive emails. Agenda: **5:00 PM EST**: Online and in-person meeting begins with a social hour. This is an unstructured hour where you can join us to catch up and meet other group members before the session starts. There will be food brought in for in-person attendees. **6:00 PM EST**: Elections, announcements, followed by our feature presentation. See below for presentation details. **7:30 PM EST**: Optionally after the main presentations, the in-person crowd may go out for snacks and drinks at a local establishment. We hope to see you there! Session Abstract ### SQL Server 2025: The Developer’s Revolution Explore SQL Server 2025’s new dev features -JSON type, Regular Expressions, and Change Event Streaming for real-time pipelines. See how REST API and Data API Builder turn your data into secure, high-performance APIs. Packed with demos, this session is perfect for developers, DBAs, and architects \*Please note, that we will be using Microsoft Teams for the online portion of this meeting. You may want to join a few minutes early to ensure you do not have any issues. If you are attending in person, there are large TVs at the office, and you do not need to bring a laptop or use Teams.

NFT's are here to stay folks! This is a group for like minded people interested in understanding, leveraging, using, creating for, profiting from, trading too i suppose, NFT's.. everything around them, complexity, fear and exploits, best practices and more. **PLUS** This group will talk AI ART tools, techniques, artists, video, audio, prototypes and more in the AI assisted production space- ART specifically, but we can get into any aspect of some of the cooler things happening in AI in general.