Reclaiming Real: Human Connections Driving Future Teams with AI
- Date
- 2025-09-04
- Location
- Canva Offices, London, England, United Kingdom
- Host
- Askable
About this event
AI is changing how teams work, but it is not replacing the need for trust, judgment, and real human connection. Reclaiming Real is an in-person evening for people thinking seriously about how AI, autonomy, and community will shape the teams we build next — and what we need to protect as work becomes more automated. This event is for builders, operators, managers, founders, and curious professionals who want a more grounded conversation about the future of work. Expect thoughtful discussion, practical perspectives, and the kind of in-room connections that do not happen in a comment thread or a Slack channel. About the Event At its core, this meetup is about a tension many people are already feeling: as AI tools become more capable, how do we design teams that are faster and more autonomous without losing the human relationships that make great work possible? Rather than treating AI as a purely technical shift, this event looks at the people side of the transition. It creates space to talk about how teams coordinate, how trust is built, how decisions get made, and how community can remain a competitive advantage in an increasingly automated world. The format is designed to be conversational and useful. You can expect a mix of shared ideas, discussion, and networking with others who are actively thinking about similar questions from different angles — from leadership and operations to product, talent, and community-building. Hosted in person at the Canva Offices in London, the setting supports what the event is really about: getting people in the same room to exchange perspectives, challenge assumptions, and leave with stronger connections than they arrived with. What to Expect The evening is built around a simple but valuable structure: arrive, connect, engage with the theme, and keep the conversation going with people you actually want to stay in touch with afterward. You can expect discussion around topics such as: How AI changes team structures and where human collaboration becomes even more important Autonomy at work — what teams can delegate to systems, and what still requires human context and care Leadership in AI-enabled organizations, especially around trust, communication, and decision-making Community and network effects as a source of resilience, creativity, and opportunity Practical ways to work with AI without flattening culture or weakening team cohesion This is not positioned as a sales event or a surface-level networking night. The value comes from meeting others who are asking serious questions about the future of teams and who want conversations with more depth than the usual buzzwords. Expect a room with a mix of perspectives. Some attendees may be focused on implementing AI in their organizations. Others may be more interested in organizational design, human-centered leadership, or what meaningful collaboration looks like when software can increasingly act on our behalf. Why Attend If you are working through how AI will affect your team, your role, or your company, this event gives you a chance to think in public with smart peers. That matters, because the biggest questions around AI at work are rarely just about tools — they are about behavior, relationships, accountability, and how people adapt together. You will leave with more than a few interesting ideas. You should also leave with sharper language for the challenges you are seeing, a better sense of how others are approaching them, and new connections with people who are thinking carefully about the same shift. This evening is especially useful if you want to: Pressure-test your assumptions about AI and team design Meet thoughtful people beyond your immediate industry circle Explore how autonomy and human connection can strengthen each other rather than compete Have more nuanced conversations than the usual optimistic or alarmist takes on AI Build relationships in person with people likely to shape future ways of working There is also real value in simply being in the room. In a moment when so much professional interaction is mediated by platforms and tools, in-person conversations can surface honesty, curiosity, and trust much faster. That is a meaningful advantage for anyone building teams, products, or communities. Practical Details Location: In person at Canva Offices, London, United Kingdom. This is a physical, face-to-face event designed around live conversation and networking. Date and time: Thursday, September 4 at 6:00 PM GMT+1. Plan to arrive on time so you can settle in, meet people early, and get the most from the evening's flow. Because this is an in-person meetup, it is a good fit if you value real discussion over passive attendance. Come ready to introduce yourself, share what you are seeing in your own work, and engage with others who care about where AI is taking teams next. If this topic is already on your mind — whether strategically, operationally, or personally — this is the kind of room worth being in. The conversations will be more useful because they are happening live, with people who are actively shaping how work is changing.
Who should attend
This is for you if you want a more thoughtful, human conversation about AI and the future of teams — and you would rather discuss it in a room with smart people than scroll through hot takes online. - You are a **founder, leader, or manager** thinking about how AI will change team design, communication, and accountability. - You work in **product, operations, strategy, or people roles** and want practical perspectives on balancing automation with strong human collaboration. - You are building or supporting **communities, networks, or partnerships** and see human connection as a real advantage in an AI-shaped world. - You are curious about **autonomy at work** — what should be delegated to systems, what should stay human, and how that line is shifting. - You enjoy **high-signal networking** with people who are engaged, thoughtful, and actively working through these changes in real organizations. - You want to meet others in London who care about the future of work and are looking for **substance, not just AI hype**.