Speech Recognition

**London Agentic AI Meet-Up #8 - June** **Hosted by Orbital** **Register now to secure your spot - spaces are limited and will go fast!** Following our successful events with Deliveroo, V7 Labs, Doubleword, Artanis, Zopa and Zilch we have our 5th episode of 2026 in June. Join us on Thursday 18th June for the #8 episode of London's Monthly Agentic AI Meet-Up with another two fantastic guest speakers. **Venue:** Orbital HQ, Fox Court, 7th Floor, 14 Grays Inn Road, London, England, WC1X 8HN **Doors open:** 6.00pm **Talks begin:** 6.30pm **Wrap-up:** 8.00 PM (networking continues at the venue or nearby pub) **Speakers** **1) Toby Dickinson Williams, Tech Lead & Eanna Morley, Senior AI Engineer @ Orbital - "Would you trust an agent to buy your house? Lessons from building an automated real estate lawyer".** **2) Ning Lu, PhD, VP Aladdin Financial Engineering @ BlackRock - "From vibe checks to Agentic Judges"** This event is for **AI practitioners, product builders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and curious minds** who want to understand how agentic AI is shaping the future of products, businesses, and society. Expect lively discussions on: * Building and deploying agentic AI systems * Productisation challenges and success stories * Emerging tools, frameworks, and research * Real-world adoption and impact **About the London Agentic AI Meet-Up** Hosted by **Xcede & Rod Rivera**, this monthly community brings together thought leaders, engineers, and innovators to share insights, demos, and discussions at the frontier of AI. **Come for the learning, stay for the connections — and help shape the future of Agentic AI with us.** Connect with us here: [Bailey Snow (LinkedIn)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bailey-snow-84010b22/)

Come and get the chance to speak in a supportive and friendly environment. Public Speaking will boost your confidence and give you more power to speak and to be listened to in both your personal and professional life. **What makes this public speaking session different from others you ask?** There is a strong emphasis on self-expression, creativity, trial and error, and most importantly, speaking practice! **What will you gain from this event?** * Gain confidence by overcoming your fear of public speaking * Learn to think on your feet with our Impromptu speaking format * Get feedback and improve your public speaking with a real audience * Tips and opportunities to practice: body language, voice, tone, pitch, uses of stories, use of pauses, humour, etc... **Here's how it works:** \*I may choose to change the format from time to time based on numbers, and to practice different aspects of public speaking in order to keep it challenging\* You will put your name in a hat/bowl and when your name is chosen, you will be asked to perform. You will speak for 2 minutes on a random topic given by the audience. This is called an impromptu speech. We will do 2-3 rounds of speaking followed by a feedback session at the end of the workshop. **Public Speaking suggestions:** TIP: Give your impromptu speech the following 3 sections below. 1. Introduction ("Today, I'm going to talk about....") 2. Body ("Here is my personal experience....") 3. Conclusion ("So, my key message is ....") Each speech is to be 2 minutes long. Audience size 20-25 people. You're not obligated to speak, although I may strongly encourage you to do so. **What to bring:** Yourself only- There are no mandatory necessities which you must bring. **Dress Code:** There is no dress code. It is best practice however, that you wear the attire for the occasion which you are practicing for. **Where to find us:** **Closest underground stations:** Angel Underground Station - 5 minutes walk away **Steps Studios Angel** **259 Goswell Road** **EC1V 7AH** Should you have any problems locating the venue, please feel free to contact me before the start of the event. The event is wheelchair accessible. **\*Please note we start and end strictly on time\*** \*You will be refused entry beyond 7:10pm, so please reschedule if you should not make it\* **EVENT DURATION:** 6:45pm - Registration :: 7:00pm - Event start - 9:00pm - End **\*This event is FREE - for first timers only\* -** **FIRST TIMERS PLEASE NOTE:** You MUST book a free "First timer" ticket through Eventbrite and present this on attendance. Failure to do so means that you will need to pay £18. This is a measure intended to keep control of the number of students attending the event. **Cost: £18 per session** **First-timers only discount: £45 for 5 sessions**. Please speak to the organiser for registration. (These can be used within 60 days and you can attend any of our public speaking practice sessions on any day.) **Payment methods:** Cash in hand, Card reader, or Pay on www.veespeak.co.uk ***Marketing and email subscription disclaimer:*** *We value your privacy, and would never we will never share or sell your details to a 3rd Party.* ***Email Subscription:*** *By signing up and attending our events you explicitly agree to be contacted by email from Veespeak's marketing team regarding our newest courses, discounts, and upcoming events. You can always opt-out if you feel the information shared is no longer relevant to you.* We may take pictures or record sections of the workshops for training and quality purposes. We will never use this information without your prior consent. **Website & Social Media:** *Website: [www.veespeak.co.uk](http://www.veespeak.co.uk/)* *Instagram: @veespeak - [https://www.instagram.com/veespeak](https://www.instagram.com/veespeak/)_* *Facebook: @veespeak - [https://www.facebook.com/veespeakps/](https://www.facebook.com/veespeak/)* *Linkedin: @veespeak - [https://www.linkedin.com/company/veespeakps](https://www.linkedin.com/company/veespeak)* *Meetup Group: [https://www.meetup.com/veespeak](https://www.meetup.com/veespeak)* **Contact Information:** Email: hello@veespeak.co.uk Contact No: 07713 123321 Valentin Todorov - Organiser

The Vibe Coding Collective is a global community helping anyone turn ideas into working software with AI. We host relaxed social coding jams and events in bars, cafés, and maker spaces. ​This month, we're teaming up with **[bilt.me](https://bilt.me/?utm_source=luma)** for a special edition focused entirely on mobile apps📱 ​Bring an idea (or just curiosity), and we'll help you turn it into a working app prototype by the end of the evening. ​**Format:** ​We'll be teaming up in small groups of 3-4 people. We'll provide a few starter challenges to get you going, and then it's heads-down building with your teammates. The goal is to vibe, learn from each other, and walk out with something working. ​**New to vibe coding? ✨** ​No worries. We'll provide simple starter ideas, example prompts, and tool suggestions so even total beginners can dive in without stress. ​**Schedule 🕒** ​(Doors open early so we can settle in. Aim to arrive by 18:45 so we can kick off on time.) * ​7:00 – Presentation * ​7:25 – Assignment + team formation 🤝 * ​7:30 – Round 1: Build together 💻 * ​8:15 – Break (swap ideas, hang out) * ​8:30 – Round 2: Keep building 🏗️ * ​9:00 – Optional demos 📺 * ​9:15 – Hang out, network, make friends ✌️ ​**Who is it for?** ​Anyone! Curious coders, hobbiests, designers, AI-curious folks, and developers. Whether you're an experienced developer or have never written a line of code, you'll fit right in. ​**What to bring:** ​- Laptop 💻 \- Vibes ⚡ ​**Date 🗓️:** 18th June 2026, 7 pm ​**Location📍:** 2A Corsica St, N5 1JJ · London ​No pressure, no gatekeeping! You are always welcomed here. ​#AI #vibecoding #AItech #LondonAI #social #fun #socialdrinking

June's Book: What Is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea by Faramerz Dabhoiwala 'Eye-opening, thought-provoking and deeply enjoyable, What is Free Speech? is a work of great profundity and brilliance’ William Dalrymple A fresh and exciting approach to one of the most controversial subjects of our time ‘Free Speech!’ is a clarion call all over the world, yet what it means today is more contested than ever. Many cultures regard it as dangerous: in China, India, and across the Islamic world, unorthodox views about politics, sex, and religion are repressed and people are often punished for expressing them. Even in the western world, where it is held up as a core value, there is widespread discord and disagreement about what freedom of expression means. Amidst perennial imbalances of power, continually evolving cultural taboos, dramatic new technologies and a fast-changing global media landscape, where free speech comes from – and how we might think about it – are critical questions. Through the lens of history, What Is Free Speech? shows us that freedom of speech is not an absolute from which societies and regimes have drifted or dissented at different times, but something more complicated and interesting. Our modern conceptions of press and speech liberty, Dabhoiwala shows, were invented in Britain around 1700. The real history of freedom of expression is a story of countless fascinating men and women whose lives have shaped its principles and practices over the past 300 years – slaves and imperialists, poets and philosophers, plutocrats and revolutionaries. Ranging across Europe, North America and South Asia, and not neglecting other parts of the world, Dabhoiwala rejects celebratory platitudes about the past and present of free expression. Instead, his book explains how to think more deeply about free speech as a global as well as a local question ― by tracing how we got into our current predicaments, showing that history complicates our contemporary presumptions, and suggesting fresh possibilities for the future. 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! Pay at the event with cash or card. 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.

Roll up your sleeves: we're teaming up with DevOps Society for our very **first London hack night**! Come along with your laptop and get ready to win a prize 🏆 👉 **Limited spots** available so make sure you got yours by arriving on time. The event attendance will run on a first comes, first served basis. This time, we’re doing something a little different, a hands on hack night where you’ll get stuck into real-world observability, OpenTelemetry. and AI-powered workflows. 📍 **Location** Elastic office, Davidson Building, 1st Floor, 5 Southampton St, London, WC2E 7HA Note: please use Exeter St entrance as the main entrance is closed after 6pm. The hack night will happen in the Galactus room. This isn’t your typical meetup, you’ll be building and exploring in real-time: * Spin up a demo microservices app using Docker * Connect it to Elastic Observability * Explore logs, metrics, and traces using OpenTelemetry * Build and interact with AI-powered observability agents using Elastic MCP + Claude Whether you’re deep into DevOps or just getting started, there’s something here for everyone. **🛠️ You will need** 1. Your laptop! 2. The following software installed on your laptop: 3. ​[Docker](https://docs.docker.com/get-started/get-docker/?utm_source=luma) 4. [Docker Compose](https://docs.docker.com/compose/install/?utm_source=luma) 5. ​[Claude Code](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/desktop?utm_source=luma) 6. ​`kubectl` and `minikube` as per the [Kubernetes install tools guide](https://kubernetes.io/docs/tasks/tools/?utm_source=luma) ​**Setup** ​The full setup instructions for the hack night are available [here](https://github.com/carlyrichmond/devops-society-elastic-hack-night?utm_source=luma). ​**Tools to be used** * ​[Elastic Observability](https://www.elastic.co/observability?utm_source=luma) * ​[Elastic Agent Builder](https://www.elastic.co/docs/solutions/observability/get-started?utm_source=luma#create-an-obs-serverless-project) * ​[Elastic Observability MCP App](https://github.com/elastic/example-mcp-app-observability?utm_source=luma#quick-start) * ​*Note: you will need a local Claude Code installation to use the MCP App* **📆 Agenda** 6:00pm – 6:30pm — Networking on arrival with food and drinks provided by Elastic 6:30pm – 6:50pm — Challenge and tools demo 6:50pm – 8:30pm — Hacking time 8:30pm – 9:00pm — 5-minute lightning demos 9:00pm — Close and networking at a nearby pub 🎙️ **Hosts & Sponsors** Hosted by Steve Wade and Carly Richmond ⚠️ **Heads-up:** we also have a [mirror event with DevOps Society on Meetup](https://www.meetup.com/devops-society/events/314769583/). To keep things tidy on our side, please make sure you only sign up on **one** of the event pages — not both. Thanks!

**\*\*TO BOOK GO HERE [https://dateinadash.com/events/london/mayfair/speed-dating/18Jun2026-7520](https://dateinadash.com/events/london/mayfair/speed-dating/18Jun2026-7520)\*\*** Go on 20 dates at our popular Thursday night [Speed Dating ](https://dateinadash.com)event at [Mercato Mayfair](https://mercatometropolitano.com/mercato-mayfair/) near Bond Street. This event is for ages 30-50 and has an equal ratio of men and women. Expect to meet a lots of single professionals at the best Speed Dating event in Mayfair on Thursday night. Easily one of our most popular events with a great crowd every week. Speed Dating kicks off at 8pm prompt and any guests arriving late may not be able to take part so please ensure you arrive 15-30 minutes before the scheduled start time to allow for registration. When all the guests have arrived the host will explain how the evening will unfold and you will be provided with a scorecard and pen. When the event begins women will be seated and men will rotate between tables every 4 minutes. At the end of each date guests mark on their scorecard or phone using our mobile website whether they would like to see that person again. The event will finish around 9:30pm but guests are welcome to stay and mingle if they wish. The following day we'll contact you with the results and you can communicate with anyone you've matched with through our website. Please be aware that speed dating places are limited and the majority of our events do sell out, so please book early to avoid disappointment. If you have any queries about this event please contact us at enquiries@dateinadash.com or call our telephone bookings hotline on 0845 862 1448 (9am 5pm).

Our second London Evening D365 and Power Platform User Group event of 2026 will take place on Thursday 18th June 2026 at 6 PM. **Agenda:** * 6.00pm - Registration and Networking * 6.30pm - Welcome and Introduction * 6.40pm - **Session 1 : Upgrade Your Customer Service Game with Microsoft's Digital Contact Center, Tricia Sinclair - MVP Avanade** * 7.20pm - Break, Networking and Food * 7:40pm - **Session 2:** **Virtual Tour Inside the Microsoft Inclusive Tech Lab - The Microsoft Inclusive Tech Lab is an innovation hub where Microsoft showcases how inclusive design shapes modern technology. In this session, you’ll explore how solutions are built with and for people with disabilities to create more accessible and impactful experiences for everyone** * 8:10 **Session 3 :** **Getting AI ready - Process and Data optimisation, Steve Snowden - CEO Snowden Consulting** * 8:40 pm - **Interactive Session / Q&A ( Atif, Pritesh, Tammy)** * 9:00pm - Close After event social/networking continues at London Bridge Hotel SE1 9SG. **Want to present in next event?** If you are interested in presenting, then drop us a line at london@d365ppug.com. First-timers and our tech women are especially welcome :) **The event will be at:** Dotdigital Offices 9th Floor, 1 London Bridge, London SE1 9BG A member of the user group will be at the entrance to greet and direct you to the conference room.

Below is the WhatsApp group for this event. You need to join it to find out where we are meeting. [https://chat.whatsapp.com/KrkGkyWNz4J3vkbKGk7YYP?mode=gi_t](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KrkGkyWNz4J3vkbKGk7YYP?mode=gi_t) **Crystals in Wicca: Their Recognition and Use** We will be running Knot 25 which shows explains the use of crystals and how to recognise them. This Knot may be run more than once and the location and time may change. **Why this matters to your path** In the Cochranian and Regency traditions of Wicca—inspired by the teachings of Robert Cochrane—crystals are widely used. We will explore: * **The history of crystals in our practice:** How crystals are used in modern Wiccan practice. * **Crystal Recognition:** We will look at different crystals and memorise their names *** **Is this for me ?** Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just curious about the Craft, you're welcome! * **No Prerequisites:** This "knot" (lesson) is part of our introductory series, but it stands perfectly well on its own. * **New Members Welcome:** You don't need to have attended previous sessions to dive into this one. Because we are hosting this in a public space, **spaces are strictly limited.** To ensure a high-quality experience for everyone, we have to stick to a firm capacity. **How to Secure Your Spot:** 1. **Register via the App:** All our "knots" and curriculum materials are managed there. 2. **Join the WhatsApp Group above:** This is our primary hub for logistics. If the first session fills up, we will coordinate a second date exclusively through this group.

You do not need to be deep in MLOps to attend. If you are a founder building with AI, a recruiter trying to understand what good AI engineering talent looks like, a fractional CTO/advisor, or a newer builder wondering what happens after a demo works, this event is about the real-world jump from prototype to something people can rely on. MLOps London is moving into its next chapter. The group has a strong history of practical talks and production-focused conversations. This first event under the new cadence is deliberately simple: a signal night for introductions, production-AI pain points, hiring/fractional CTO needs, and topics people want the community to cover next. The theme for the next few months is production AI: * agent systems after the demo * observability and evaluation * deployment and rollback * governance and ownership * what teams are learning the hard way No slides. No formal talks. No vendor pitches. The lightweight format: * builders mark what they know: agents, evals, observability, infra, deployment, governance, cost, rollback * founders/recruiters mark what they need: fractional CTO input, hiring signal, architecture review, speaker/topic suggestions * everyone leaves with a Production AI Bench Card: one useful intro target, one topic/failure mode for the June talk night, and one clear ask or offer Ram will give a short welcome around 7pm and outline the plan for the June talk night: "AI Agents in Production: What Actually Breaks After the Demo." Come if you build, deploy, evaluate, operate, hire for, advise on, or lead production AI systems. Free to attend. Please RSVP with enough detail for us to understand who is in the room. You should leave with a clearer sense of what breaks first when AI meets real users, what skills matter, what questions founders and recruiters should ask, and who in the room can help.

Come and get the chance to speak in a supportive and friendly environment. Public Speaking will boost your confidence and give you more power to speak and to be listened to in both your personal and professional life. **What makes this public speaking session different from others you ask?** There is a strong emphasis on self-expression, creativity, trial and error, and most importantly, speaking practice! **What will you gain from this event?** * Gain confidence by overcoming your fear of public speaking * Learn to think on your feet with our Impromptu speaking format * Get feedback and improve your public speaking with a real audience * Tips and opportunities to practice: body language, voice, tone, pitch, uses of stories, use of pauses, humour, etc... **Here's how it works:** \*I may choose to change the format from time to time based on numbers, and to practice different aspects of public speaking in order to keep it challenging\* You will put your name in a hat/bowl and when your name is chosen, you will be asked to perform. You will speak for 2 minutes on a random topic given by the audience. This is called an impromptu speech. We will do 2-3 rounds of speaking followed by a feedback session at the end of the workshop. **Public Speaking suggestions:** TIP: Give your impromptu speech the following 3 sections below. 1. Introduction ("Today, I'm going to talk about....") 2. Body ("Here is my personal experience....") 3. Conclusion ("So, my key message is ....") Each speech is to be 2 minutes long. Audience size 20-25 people. You're not obligated to speak, although I may strongly encourage you to do so. **What to bring:** Yourself only- There are no mandatory necessities which you must bring. **Dress Code:** There is no dress code. It is best practice however, that you wear the attire for the occasion which you are practicing for. **Where to find us:** **Closest underground stations:** Angel Underground Station - 5 minutes walk away **Steps Studios Angel** **259 Goswell Road** **EC1V 7AH** Should you have any problems locating the venue, please feel free to contact me before the start of the event. The event is wheelchair accessible. **\*Please note we start and end strictly on time\*** \*You will be refused entry beyond 4:10pm, so please reschedule if you should not make it\* **EVENT DURATION:** 3:45pm - Registration :: 4:00pm - Event start - 6:00pm - End **\*This event is FREE - for first timers only\* -** **FIRST TIMERS PLEASE NOTE:** You MUST book a free "First timer" ticket through Eventbrite and present this on attendance. Failure to do so means that you will need to pay £18. This is a measure intended to keep control of the number of students attending the event. **Cost: £18 per session** **First-timers only discount: £45 for 5 sessions**. Please speak to the organiser for registration. (These can be used within 60 days and you can attend any of our public speaking practice sessions on any day.) **Payment methods:** Cash in hand, Card reader, or Pay on www.veespeak.co.uk ***Marketing and email subscription disclaimer:*** *We value your privacy, and would never we will never share or sell your details to a 3rd Party.* ***Email Subscription:*** *By signing up and attending our events you explicitly agree to be contacted by email from Veespeak's marketing team regarding our newest courses, discounts, and upcoming events. You can always opt-out if you feel the information shared is no longer relevant to you.* We may take pictures or record sections of the workshops for training and quality purposes. We will never use this information without your prior consent. **Website & Social Media:** *Website: [www.veespeak.co.uk](http://www.veespeak.co.uk/)* *Instagram: @veespeak - [https://www.instagram.com/veespeak](https://www.instagram.com/veespeak/)_* *Facebook: @veespeak - [https://www.facebook.com/veespeakps/](https://www.facebook.com/veespeak/)* *Linkedin: @veespeak - [https://www.linkedin.com/company/veespeakps](https://www.linkedin.com/company/veespeak)* *Meetup Group: [https://www.meetup.com/veespeak](https://www.meetup.com/veespeak)* **Contact Information:** Email: hello@veespeak.co.uk Contact No: 07713 123321 Valentin Todorov - Organiser

**Join us for an exciting AI agent engineering meetup where developers, architects, and AI enthusiasts come together to connect and learn from industry experts.** **We’re thrilled to welcome guest speakers from Snowflake.** **Jenny Zhou and Ioannis Doukas,** **experienced solution engineers who will share insights on Cortex AI and discuss practical approaches to building AI agents efficiently across different industries.** **The session will include:** * **Introducing AI and Cortex features in Snowflake** * **Agent use cases across different industries** * **Interactive discussion**

**PLEASE RSVP HERE:** https://luma.com/mu2z83aj?tk=S9QtBb \*\* ​Registrations: 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM (food & drinks are taken care of) Presentations: From 6:15 PM onwards ​ ​AI is everywhere - but what does it actually *mean* in practice? ​Join **Will Martin, AI Evangelist**, for a clear, practical walkthrough of modern AI - based on his upcoming book *AI for Dummies (and actually)* \- and how it fits into your data stack and lakehouse\. ​🚀 **In this session:** * ​What *Agentic AI* really is (and how it differs from LLMs) * ​How LLMs work under the hood (tokens, embeddings, context) * ​When to use fine-tuning, RAG, or prompt engineering * ​How MCP connects AI to your data, APIs, and lakehouse * ​Key benefits, risks, and real-world considerations ​Cut through the hype and understand how AI actually works - and how to use it. **Next up: Alex Stuart ("Mr Motion")** ​Working in Data Engineering at Confluent, Alex will break down how **Iceberg, Kafka, Flink, and Tableflow** come together—and what that means in the world of AI. ​Expect a practical look at building real-time, modern data architectures that power AI use cases. ​**About Alex:** Covers EMEA & APAC for the SME team at Confluent, helping customers solve complex, real-time data challenges and optimize lakehouse, warehouse, and analytics architectures. **And last but not least: Alex Merced** ​Head of DevRel and author at O’Reilly, Alex will walk you through key ideas from his latest book on **Agentic Analytics**\- and how to build data platforms that actually work for AI\. ​🔍 **What to expect:** * ​Why data silos break AI agents * ​How the **lakehouse, federation, and semantic layer** fit together * ​The role of **Apache Iceberg, open catalogs, and modern architectures** * ​Why agents need context, not just data * ​A practical roadmap toward autonomous, AI-driven analytics ​Expect a sharp, architecture-focused session connecting modern data platforms with the future of AI.

This meetup is reserved for attendees who: 1. Sign up on Luma to secure your spot – [https://luma.com/z4y4pkwe](https://luma.com/z4y4pkwe) 2. Have had their request accepted 3. Can show ID for entry If you haven't received an invitation yet, you won't be able to join, but we'd love to have you at future events. ​We called this event **AI Under Control** because the question is no longer whether AI can be used in production. It’s whether the systems around it are strong enough to keep working when real-world pressure hits. ​That’s especially true in databases and enterprise operations, where mistakes do not roll back cleanly and “mostly works” is not good enough. The real challenge is not just deploying AI, but keeping control of the operational foundations it depends on. ​On **18 June**, Innovators Guild brings together two people looking at that problem from different angles. ​**Richard Conway**, Group CTO at Acora, will open with **Slow Down to Speed Up: The Operational Reality of Enterprise AI**. He’ll look at what happens when AI-assisted changes meet real enterprise environments, and why the safest way to move faster is often to first tighten the systems, process, and controls around them. ​**Huxley Kendell**, Solution Engineer at Redgate, will give the main technical talk, **AI Done Safely: Lessons from Database Deployments**. He’ll walk through where AI actually helps in production systems, where it doesn’t, and how to structure things so it doesn’t quietly become a liability. Drawing on real deployments, this is a practical look at agentic and AI-assisted approaches, with honest takes on what works and what blows up. ​**Agenda** 18:00 Doors open. Come early, grab a drink and pizza, and talk to people. 18:45 Talks begin. After the talks, beer and pizza, and the conversations that usually turn out to be the most useful part of the evening. ​This is an Innovators Guild event. We keep the room to around 70 people, mostly mid-senior engineers, scientists, and technical founders who have actually shipped the kind of systems being discussed. ​Registration on Luma is required and subject to host approval, and you will need valid photo ID to access the building on the night. ​**Redgate** is sponsoring the guest experience. **Fresha** is the venue sponsor. ​**Speakers** Richard Conway on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardelastacloud?utm_source=luma) Huxley Kendell on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/huxleykendell?utm_source=luma) ​Innovators Guild, a curated London tech community, [https://innovators.london](https://innovators.london/?utm_source=luma). This is a Chatham House Rule event.

3rd Sunday of every month, unleash your inner language ninja with our fun Mandarin learning games! Get ready to ditch stale textbooks and rote memorisation, and watch your language skills truly skyrocket! These monthly gatherings are designed for you to: * **Boost Conversational Confidence:** Engage in lively, real-time communication that feels like play, not practice. * **Sharpen Your Listening Skills** as you navigate thoughtfully designed game scenarios and interact with fellow learners. * **Expand Your Vocabulary:** Effortlessly pick up new words and phrases, enabling you to express yourself with precision and richness. * **Retain More, Stress Less:** Experience the power of learning through fun, making new vocabulary and grammar stick with less effort! **What Makes Our Language Games Special:** Unlike traditional lessons, our sessions are a unique blend of structured fun and effective learning: * **Immersive & Interactive:** We transform language concepts into engaging, team-based games that facilitate natural conversation and active participation. * **Relaxed & Supportive Environment:** Forget competition! Our classroom setting is designed to be comfortable and non-intimidating, encouraging everyone to experiment and learn at their own pace. * **All Levels Learn Together:** You'll consolidate what you already know while effortlessly picking up new vocabulary from our well-facilitated activities. * **Expert Guidance:** Our experienced tutor provides active language support, ensuring every activity is both enjoyable and highly effective for language improvement. * **Suitable for All Levels!** (For beginners: if you have more than 20 hours of Mandarin learning, you're good to join us!) **Session Details:** 🗓️ **When:** 3rd Sunday of every month ⏰ **Time:** 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM **💰 Price:** £10 - [Tap for Easy Payment](https://monzo.com/pay/r/china-unbound_eTW5aAZoqiDQ3p) (To secure your spot, please complete payment when you RSVP) Join us, and accelerate your road to fluency today! We can't wait to welcome you. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Take your Mandarin beyond the event.** 🤝 If you’re looking for a bit more structure to go along with your conversation practice, let’s chat! We're offering **FREE 1-on-1 advice sessions** to help you find the perfect learning path. Get a professional assessment of your level so you can study with confidence. **No commitment** required. [Book your Free Session](https://eu.bigin.online/org20070515371/bookings/course-advice) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **China Unbound** is the best place to learn practical Chinese for adults. While most schools prioritise grammar and writing, China Unbound empowers you to confidently converse, understand, and actively apply Chinese in real-world situations. Join us and discover a fun, fast, and personalised way to master Chinese! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Hear From Our Learners:** "The Language games session provides a well-structured and immersive way of learning. Even as a beginner I am able to practice all aspects of the language and have learnt a lot whilst having fun!" - Jeremy Smithers "The Sunday games session is in a classroom environment but relaxed with organized team-based games designed to facilitate conversation. It’s a good way to consolidate what you know and pick up some new vocab. The folks who attend vary massively in ability so it’s not competitive, but more a chance to learn from people who are more advanced and help along newbies. I recommend it!" - Mark Mansell **FAQ 常见问题::** **What if I don’t feel my Chinese is good enough to join?** Don’t worry, our hosts will be on hand to offer support and help you participate. Many are also group exercises, so you can lean on stronger members too. **What games will I be playing?** You'll be diving into a variety of engaging and interactive language activities specifically designed to match your proficiency level! Think fun, familiar formats like Articulate, and creative role-play scenarios. Our games are carefully designed (by us!) to intensively develop your speaking and listening abilities, providing you with comprehensive language input. In addition, every game is expertly facilitated by our experienced tutors. They provide real-time support and guidance, ensure activities are well-structured for optimal learning, and offer clear explanations and consolidation of any new vocabulary or concepts that emerge. It's learning through play, with expert support! **I’m not into games, is it still for me?** Yes!! Think of it as immersive practice, not gaming. Even if you’re not a gamer, you will enjoy learning Mandarin this way! Our activities are designed to boost your vocabulary, pronunciation, and fluency in a natural and engaging way. **Are there any discounts for Chinese lessons for members?** Yes, you can use code MEETUP10 for your exclusive £10 discount on our [Chinese courses](https://china-unbound.co.uk/personal/) site-wide!

Most people still use AI like a search box: type one question, get one answer, repeat. But the next step is AI agents: systems that can take a goal, break it into steps, use tools, remember context, and produce useful work for a human to review. In this beginner-friendly session, we’ll demystify what AI agents actually are — without hype or jargon. We’ll walk through practical examples of how agents can help with research, planning, writing, coding, operations, and personal productivity. We’ll cover: * What makes an AI “agent” instead of just a chatbot * How agents break tasks into steps * Where agents are genuinely useful today * Where they fail, hallucinate, or need human review * How to design simple AI workflows for your own work * A live demo of an AI agent-style workflow from start to finish No coding experience required. This is for anyone who wants to understand where AI tools are going and how to use them more effectively right now. 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.

**Men of Unity** is a safe, welcoming space for men to connect, share, and grow together. In this circle, we explore what it means to live with purpose, integrity, and spiritual awareness in today’s world. Through open dialogue, reflection, and mutual support, we learn to balance strength with compassion, confidence with humility, and action with mindfulness. Whether you’re seeking deeper spiritual connection, personal clarity, or simply a supportive brotherhood, this group invites you to bring your authentic self and grow in community. This week the Men's of Group will meet at Scrambler's - the North Hamilton Road location: 5729 North Hamilton Road Columbus, 43230

**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** *Customize the IDE: Building Extensions for Visual Studio Code* Visual Studio Code is one of the most widely used development environments today, and much of its flexibility comes from its extension ecosystem. Extensions allow developers to customize the editor with new features, integrations, and workflow improvements tailored to their needs. In this session, we’ll cover what extensions are and the different types available, including full extensions written in TypeScript or JavaScript, along with lighter-weight extensions such as color themes, language packs, language support, code snippets, and keymaps. We’ll also look at practical reasons a developer might create an extension, from automating repetitive tasks to adding custom tooling. The session includes a hands-on walkthrough of creating a new extension, testing it locally, and understanding the basic project structure. We’ll close with a brief overview of how extensions are packaged and published to the Visual Studio Marketplace and other distribution options. **YouTube Link** TBD

Join us every 3rd Sunday of the month right after the Sunday Service for our Potluck Fellowship — a warm and welcoming time to connect, share, and celebrate community together! Bring your favorite dish to share (homemade or store-bought — all are welcome) and enjoy a delicious meal with friends old and new. It’s a wonderful opportunity to relax, laugh, and deepen your connections. Come hungry for good food, uplifting conversation, and heartfelt fellowship!

**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 Chris Pazsint will be talking about Agentic Coding. How does one use CLI Based Agents, and Agentic IDEs such as Cursor, Kiro, Antigravity? How to include agentic coding plugins for IDEs you already love such as Visual Studio Code. 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

At Unity of Columbus, our Youth and Family Ministry nurtures the spiritual growth of children and families through love, joy, and practical spiritual teachings. Each Sunday, children explore timeless spiritual principles through stories, creative activities, music, and group sharing in a safe and welcoming environment. Our program encourages children to discover their own inner light, express kindness, and develop a personal connection with God. Together, we celebrate diversity, cultivate understanding, and inspire each child to live with purpose and compassion. Parents and families are invited to join in this uplifting journey of learning, laughter, and spiritual connection.

Welcome to Drunken Philosophy, a casual, curious, social discussion club. Come grab a drink and a seat at The Oracle. **Optional topic for this meetup: Where is everybody?** In 1950 the physicist Enrico Fermi was talking about aliens over lunch and asked a question that still has not gone away: if the universe is so vast and so old, and even a fraction of those billions of stars have planets, where is everyone? By the numbers the galaxy should be crowded with civilizations. Instead we look up and hear silence. That gap between "they should be everywhere" and "we see no one" is the Fermi Paradox. One of the most unsettling answers is the idea of a **Great Filter**: somewhere on the road from dead chemistry to a galaxy-spanning civilization, there is at least one step that is almost impossible to get past. Maybe the filter is behind us. Maybe life starting at all, or simple cells becoming complex, or intelligence ever evolving, is the freak accident, and we already cleared the hard part. Or maybe the filter is ahead of us, and advanced civilizations reliably wipe themselves out before they spread. Here is the part that messes with people. If we ever found life somewhere else, even pond scum on Mars, most people would call it the greatest discovery in history. But it might be the worst possible news. It would mean life is common, the early steps are easy, and the hard step is still in front of us. So the eerie silence overhead might actually be the best sign we could ask for. **Questions to wrestle with:** * Is it better to be alone? Would you rather we find alien life and learn we are not special, or find nothing and quietly improve our odds of surviving? * Where do you bet the filter sits, behind us or ahead of us, and why? * If it is ahead of us, what is it? Nuclear war, climate collapse, AI, something we cannot even picture yet? And can we do anything about a filter we cannot see coming? * Two principles pull opposite ways here. The principle of mediocrity (the Copernican principle, Sagan's "no privileged place in the universe") says we are ordinary, so what happened on Earth probably happened everywhere, which makes the silence scream louder. The anthropic principle says of course we find ourselves somewhere life was possible, since we could not observe anything else, so our being here may say almost nothing about how common life is. Which lens do you trust, and does the silence still demand an answer once you account for observer selection? * And if we did confirm life out there and had to accept we are not special, what would that do to belief in a higher power, and would shedding (or keeping) that belief help or hurt our odds of pulling together as one species? * Does any of this change how you live, or how humanity should be spending its time and money right now? As always the prompt is optional. Come for the conversation, stay for the drinks, and bring your own questions.