We’re living through the next technological revolution, and it’s happening at an unprecedented pace. The internet became available to the public in 1993, and now, in 2026, 80% of UK businesses use AI weekly. 

There is a sense of nervousness and unease for many of us right now. These rapid technological advancements, particularly in Artificial Intelligence, are altering the traditional job roles of engineers, designers, content writers, and product managers, changing the way we work and creating a sense that we might no longer be useful.

But technology is not the enemy, and it remains a force for good when we use it with intention.

Why Agile, Why Now?

What if we already have the tools needed to navigate this change? Agile’s core principles are to prioritise people over process, create real results, and provide flexibility. 

While the world continues to move fast around us, we can utilise agile practices to maintain focus, manage anxiety, and support each other as we transition through this period, balancing the necessary movement of those at the "bleeding edge" with that of the rest of the workforce. 

For Agile Manchester this year, we want to explore how agile can act as a guide and a tool for navigating the modern age. 

The Human Quota

While agile practices may be the answer to the practical issues of navigating the current era, arguably its most important function is to remind us to prioritise people over process.

As impressive as AI is, it cannot replicate our emotional intelligence or lived experiences.

We’re inviting speakers to think about your own ‘Unique Selling Proposition’. What is a perspective only you bring to the table? How are you staying human amongst the acceleration of technology?

The Call for Sessions

If you have an idea, a story, or a tool that you think meets the theme, we’d love to hear it.

To build the best programme we can, our programme chair is looking for a mix of "wildly practical" (sessions that are actionable, ready to create immediate change) and "provocative" (sessions that are reflective or challenging).

For example, you could submit…

  • A talk exploring practical agile techniques for navigating AI-driven change
  • A case study on how you and your team have adapted to new technology
  • A workshop sharing tools for supporting teams through technological uncertainty

No matter the topic, if you think our audience needs to hear it, then submit it to our Call for Sessions.

We want you to shape the conversation about staying calm, capable, and human amid rapid change.

The deadline for sessions is 5 October 2026 at 9 AM (GMT).