AICON 2026, part of Belfast Tech Week, brought together technology leaders and practitioners at the ICC Belfast on Wednesday 23 September.

Hamilton Robson was represented by Senior Software Engineer Jake Young and Head of Engineering Luke McNeice, who each explored how AI is being applied across different areas of technology and industry.

Jake Young gave an exciting talk on Story Engine technology, demonstrating how AI can support civic infrastructure and cultural-memory work. His session covered multi-modal capture patterns, while also offering a candid look at where AI autonomy fits into the process.

“Speaking at AICon gave me a chance to take a step back and appreciate what we’d achieved with Augment the City. People had shared their photographs, recordings and memories with us, and we wanted to give them something useful back. We ended up putting a working archive in Carrick Hill Community Centre, so the people who’d shared their stories had a way to explore their own collection. I’m proud of what the team achieved.”

Jake Young, Hamilton Robson

Luke McNeice took part in a panel discussion focused on the impact of AI on robotics, manufacturing and mechanical design.

The discussion explored what changes when AI moves beyond writing code and starts working alongside people in workshops and on the factory floor. It also considered the parts of engineering and manufacturing that remain grounded in human skills and expertise, regardless of how capable AI becomes.

“We’ve already lived through AI reshaping software engineering. Hardware and robotics are next, and having built both, I think the shift will be bigger, slower and a lot more interesting to watch.”

– Luke McNeice, Hamilton Robson

Both sessions reflected the practical focus of AICON 2026: looking beyond the hype around AI and considering how new technologies can be applied in real working environments.

For Hamilton Robson, the event provided an opportunity to share experience, learn from others working across the sector and contribute to the wider conversation about the role AI will play in engineering, technology and society.