Step into the world of tomorrow at AI Futures Day 2026, a brand-new event for the Digital Skills Festival unpacking how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work, learn and innovate.
The day is packed with hands-on experiences, from our Vibe Coding Masterclass, where you can experiment with AI-powered development tools, to the LBG AI Showcase, featuring live demos and real-world applications of AI in enterprise. Wrap up with the AI Café, a relaxed space for discussion, networking and exploring the ethical, societal and workforce implications of AI.
Whether you’re a technologist, business leader, educator, or simply curious about the future of work, AI Futures Day is your opportunity to gain practical insights, connect with experts, and discover the skills and ideas shaping an AI-driven world.
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Details
📅 Date: Friday 6th February 2026
🕒 Time: 10:00am - 5:30pm
📍 Location: No.1 Circle Square, 1 Symphony Park, Manchester M1 7FS
🎟️ Tickets: Free (max 4 per company)
🍽️ Lunch & Refreshments provided as part of your ticket.
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Who should attend
- Technologists, developers and digital professionals looking to build practical AI skills
- Business leaders and decision-makers exploring how AI can drive innovation and productivity
- Educators and training providers preparing people for an AI-enabled future of work
- Organisations interested in real-world AI applications and emerging best practice
- Anyone curious about how artificial intelligence will shape jobs, skills and the wider economy
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Agenda
10:00 - 10:30
Registration
10:30 - 12:30
Vibe Coding Masterclass
A hands-on session led by Sara Simeone (NoCodeLab.ai) exploring how AI-powered tools are transforming the way we build, code and create - with a focus on experimentation, creativity and real-world application.
13:30 - 15:30
Practical Agentic AI in Action
Get a hands‑on look at how agentic AI can be applied to real problems inside a large organisation. The Lloyds Banking Group team will walk through a live example of an AI agent in action and share practical insight into how agents are designed, built and grounded in real workflows.
15:30 - 17:30
AI Café (with drinks)
Informal, discussion-led conversations on AI, ethics and the future of work and digital skills. The AI Café is Manchester’s first meet-up for visionaries exploring the Artificial Intelligence space, co-founded by David Edmundson-Bird (MMU) and Phil Birchenall(Diagonal Thinking).
The session will feature guest talks from Tom Stables (University of Lancaster) on "Rising the Dead: Building a Business with AI, Memories and Momentum", Krishna Stott (Bellyfeel) on "The New Media Literacy: How to Think When The Tools Think Back", and Steve Moyer (Ex-McCann and currently THG Studios) on "A Bowl of AI Please"
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AI Futures Day is sponsored by Zopa Bank, with Lloyds Banking Group, HPE and Bruntwood SciTech. More sponsors to be announced shortly.
"Zopa Bank is a digital bank on a mission to become the home of money for everyone, using smart technology to deliver fair, transparent savings, lending, and everyday banking. We’re at the forefront of online banking innovation with our own AI Tribe dedicated to harnessing responsible, human-centred AI to create smarter products, better customer experiences, and empowered Zopa teams. That’s why we’re thrilled to sponsor AI Futures Day at the Manchester Digital Skills Festival and shape the future of AI innovation together."
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Want to speak/sponsor?
Interested in speaking at the conference or exploring sponsorship opportunities? Register your interest in speaking here or download our sponsor pack.
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At Manchester Digital, we believe in creating an inclusive and diverse community where everyone feels welcome and valued. We are committed to ensuring that all our event attendees have a safe, enjoyable experience that meets their needs.
We invite all attendees to contact us if they have any dietary requirements, accessibility needs, or neurodiversity requirements, or if they require accommodations to respect their cultural or religious needs during their visit. We believe that by working together, we can create an environment that is welcoming to all and allows everyone to fully participate in our events.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to hear from you and to work with you to ensure that our events are accessible and inclusive for everyone.
Please flag any special dietary or accessibility requirements to claire@manchesterdigital.com as soon as possible.
You can download our Code of Conduct here.
