Claude made my Amplify2026 Calendar

I asked Claude to compare the Irish Research and Development Group’s Amplify 2026 agenda to content inside my Personal Knowledge Management system. Then I asked Claude to add to my June 18th calendar a timetable of things Claude knew I would be interested in learning at Amplify2026. The result appears below.

The annual IRDG Amplify Conference hosts dozens of people I have met while training part of the community in the use of AI for Personal Productivity. Dozens of exhibitors attend, some who have employed university students I have taught during the past 20 years. The networking intervals during lunch and refreshments are top class. And the pre-summit BBQ on the evening of the 17 June is a brilliant way to enjoy the food and the grounds of the Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny.

0815 Breakfast

If I sit at one of the tall windows during breakfast I can watch Joan Mulvihill finish her 5km run.

0900 Dermot Casey

I expect Dermot will open the IRDG Amplify 2026 Innovation Summit with his helicopter view of how IRDG helps members navigate rapid technological progress, integrate AI integration, and evolve resilient leadership frameworks.

0925 Opening Keynote: EPIC Leadership

The opening stage features Dr. Andreas E. Wagner who is an EQ Evangelist at Amazon Web Services and Sandra Doering who is Global HR & Talent Strategy Leader. They know that leaders need to be data-driven but also authentically human. I have a body of work related to the new human+AI era and suspect that is why Claude put the keynote on my calendar.

This keynote breaks down AWS’s EPIC Leadership model, showing how combining empathy, creativity, data, and psychological safety is essential for leading teams in an AI-driven business landscape in an era of Human-AI hybrid work that I am exploring with Cliona McParland from DCU.

1105 Innovation Skills & Capability Frameworks

This is a workshop hosted by Charlie Tuxworth who explains why innovation is a core workplace literacy. I am attending it for the Gamestorming approach that promises to connect me to emerging best practice for innovation competence. Claude knows I am always looking for ways to improve my own pre-conference hands-on workshops Claude firmly implanted this into my calendar.

I expect to identify my “superpowers” and “stretch zones” during this workshop. And then walk away with three Top Three Skills that will help me grow.

1215 Future-Focused Innovation

Beth McEvoy from Queen’s University Belfast brings her Futures Practice to this session. This concept is quietly present within international governments, multilateral agencies, and business. I would like to see how Shell uses horizon scanning and scenarios to inform its strategic directions.

1415 Storytelling Skills

Clare Murphy is a storyteller I have heard before. She describes how to use voice and pace in order to tell stories better. I want to see if she has some new examples that help storytellers leave lasting impressions. I will share them with Roger Overall, a Cork-based storyteller who has been generous with his time.

1530 Closing Keynote: The Change Tsunami

Aidan McCullen is a Thinkers50 author, speaker, and transformation advisor. He wrote Undisruptable after his rugby career but I haven't read the book. He looks at how disruption unfolds and how leaders can strengthen their organization's "change muscle" to handle constant industry reinvention.

Pricing

Full day ticket is €499 and IRDG Members receive a discount to €299 with their promo code.