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London Tech Leaders Summit 2026

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When One Beyond invited me to take part in the London Tech Leaders Summit, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. What I definitely wasn’t expecting was a seven‑foot robot interrupting the opening welcome.

As the doors flung open, the robot ducked to fit through, marched to the side of the stage, interrupted the speaker, and proceeded to continue the welcome itself. It was initially a little unsettling, but to be fair, its jokes were better.

What followed was a full day of presentations, panels, roundtable discussions, and workshops. All were framed through a leadership lens and all centred on AI. I know what you’re thinking: not another AI conference. But this one really stood out.

Rather than theoretical hype, it was software leaders - many in similar roles to mine - openly sharing what they’ve learned from using AI, where it’s taken them, and how it’s shaping their organisations.

There were several highlights. Hywel Carver, CEO of Skiller Whale, made a particularly memorable point: AI will never replace me as it has no empathy. The panel discussions on AI slop, the Software Development Lifecycle, and the broader realities of using AI day‑to‑day were thoughtful and refreshingly honest. And Justin Reock deserves special recognition for pushing on despite Wi‑Fi issues preventing access to his slides.

I came away having learned a new term - flow state - and with a list of books to read. More importantly, I left with practical insights and renewed enthusiasm rather than fatigue.

It was a genuinely enjoyable and worthwhile day, and I hope I’ll be back again next year.


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