Next week, the 2025 Leeds Digital Festival (LDF) kicks off, celebrating its 10th anniversary, and this year’s programme is set to be offering more engaging and educational sessions than ever before!

LDF is the reflection of the vibrant and ever growing digital hub that Leeds has become. An annual, open and collaborative celebration of technology and digital innovation in Leeds containing a variety of sessions covering a broad range of interests in tech. From Arts, culture and music to AI and machine learning, the festival will keep you up to date with many of Leeds’ digital technological advancements.

Check out all of the sessions from digital and tech professionals across Leeds on the LDF website, which includes an exciting line-up from our community of consultants and specialists at Hippo.

Hippo at Leeds Digital Festival 2025:

Hippo is involved in six different sessions, from discussions on AI and software testing, to interactive workshops on research methods and prompting competitions, there is something here for you, whether you are a tech professional or enthusiast. Here’s an overview of the full line up:

  • PyData Leeds – PyData is at LDF for a third time! PyData is a global meet-up of Data and Software Engineering enthusiasts who want to connect, network and learn. Hosted by Ed Hiley, Technical Director at Hippo and colleagues from Parallax, this month’s offering is an AI prompt competition for any tech enthusiasts out there.

You’ll learn about the utility of natural query language for databases whilst using prompts to answer a series of questions. This is the perfect place to test your skills, whilst having easy access to advice from the experts.

Tuesday 23rd September, 5:30-8pm, Parallax Offices, The Elbow Rooms, 64 Call Lane, Leeds, LS1 6DT

  • Become an AI prompt engineer – Hippo’s Principal Content Designer Joshua Healey will help you to unlock your full potential with AI. Learn what makes a great prompt whilst growing your understanding of LLMs generally. You’ll learn a bit about how they work and generate content, and therefore how AI can be used as a tool to help elevate your work, not as a replacement to the value you bring. Whether you’re a prompt engineer, a content designer, or someone looking to understand AI more, this session is for you.

Wednesday 24 September, 6-8pm, Hippocampus, The Brew Society, Leeds, LS1 4HT 

  • Test Up North – Organised by Adam Clarkson, Senior Test Engineer at Hippo, and sponsored by Ministry of Testing, Ady Stokes and Hippo, Test Up North is running its first ever event, and excitingly, is already sold out!

Aiming to improve your software testing capabilities and quality, this mini conference is the perfect place to get the best advice from our array of experts (including Andy Sockett and Harry Young from Hippo). With interactive sessions, talks and demos, you’ll be learning, socialising and finishing the day feeling more confident in your testing.

Thursday 25 September, 9:15am-4:30pm, Hippocampus, The Brew Society, Leeds, LS1 4HT

Following Test Up North, we are delighted to be hosting this month’s Ministry of Testing meet up. For those who would like to carry on testing into the evening, with pizza and drinks, tickets are available on their Meet Up page.

  • AI in regulated industries – Join Hippo’s CDO, Darren Hutton as he explores using AI to its best ability in regulated industries with Mozstro’s AI Strategist, Elliot Morris and their Co-Founder, Lewis Leach.

The panel will delve into how AI can be the key to innovation whilst maintaining the compliance and trust that is so crucial in environments where safety and security is key. The discussion will feature real-world examples of successful AI implementation in regulated industries, providing you with reliable information you can trust.

Monday 29 September, 6-8pm,  Hippocampus, The Brew Society, Leeds, LS1 4HT

  • One Health Tech Leeds – Join OHT Leeds for an inspiring session on Women, innovation and inclusive leadership in tech. The panel will be discussing the issue of women’s underrepresentation in tech.

Moderated by Sarah Corbridge and with expert speakers Jennifer Duffy, a digital and data leader and advocate for inclusive leadership; Maxine Mackintosh, an AI and health tech community-builder; and Kate Lodge, a health and care transformation leader focusing on tackling inequality, you will be provided with insights into how we can move towards more diverse leadership in tech and how all of us can help to create a better and more inclusive environment for everyone.

Wednesday 1 October, 6-9pm, Hippocampus, The Brew Society, Leeds, LS1 4HT :

  • Creative research methods speed dating workshop – Lead user researcher at Hippo, Rachel Abbott, will be running an interactive and hands-on workshop aiming to present and introduce attendees to the vast array of creative research methods available. This session is perfect for those looking to upgrade their research to the next level, or simply remind yourself through practical activities of methods you may have known once!

Thursday 2 October, 9:30am-4:30pm, Hippocampus, The Brew Society, Leeds, LS1 4HT

Join us at Leeds Digital Festival 2025 to kindle your competitive spirit, level up your understanding of AI, enhance your testing skills or understand more creative ways to research.

Hippo is once again thrilled to contribute to the festival’s wide range of events and be a part of the 10 year anniversary of LDF, an event we’ve supported for many years. We’ve been consistently impressed by its growth and the growth of the community of tech and digital specialists in Leeds, the positive impact and atmosphere LDF creates in the city and by all of you who attend, share your thoughts and expertise, and make the sessions what they are: a way to build knowledge, support each other and strengthen a community of Northern tech.

We look forward to connecting with you there, and shaping the future of Leeds and its digital advancement together.