Code of conduct

Purpose and scope

We want every person at the Summit to be able to learn, share and disagree in safety. This code sets out what we expect and what happens when someone falls short.

It applies to everyone taking part: attendees, speakers, sponsors, partners, volunteers, Synapse AI Summit staff, venue and catering crew, and the organisers themselves. It covers every space connected to the Summit:

• the conference days, 17 and 18 May 2027, at Sokos Tripla Conference Centre, Helsinki
• workshops, side events, evening and networking events, whether official or hosted by sponsors
• online spaces: our website, event app, chat channels, social media and video calls
• conduct towards Summit participants outside these spaces where it is linked to the event

Buying or accepting a ticket, a speaking slot or a sponsorship means agreeing to this code. It is part of the Synapse AI Summit ticket terms.

Expected conduct

We expect everyone at the Summit to:

• Be respectful and considerate. Treat others as professionals and peers, whatever their role, background or experience with AI.
• Debate ideas, not people. Disagreement is welcome. Personal attacks are not.
• Respect boundaries. When someone says no, or asks you to stop, stop straight away. Ask before touching, photographing or recording someone. Our official photographers avoid photographing anyone who has asked not to be photographed (see section 13 of the ticket terms).
• Include others. Leave room in conversations, use language that welcomes newcomers, and be mindful that many people are not working in their first language.
• Keep talks and slides suitable for a professional audience. No sexual, violent or demeaning imagery or language.
• Respect confidentiality. Follow Chatham House or no-recording requests from speakers and session hosts, and do not share others' personal details without consent.
• Drink responsibly at evening events, and remember the code still applies there.
• Follow the venue rules and the instructions of Synapse AI Summit staff and venue security.
• Look out for each other. If you see something that worries you, check in with the person affected or tell a member of Synapse AI Summit staff.

Unacceptable behaviour

We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination in any form. This includes:

• offensive or demeaning comments or jokes about gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, health, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, nationality, language, age, religion or belief, opinions, family situation, technology choices, or any other personal characteristic
• sexual images, language or attention in any Summit space, including talks, slides, stands and online channels
• unwelcome physical contact, sexual advances or repeated requests after someone has said no
• intimidation, threats, stalking or following someone
• photographing or recording people against their wishes, or using images to harass
• sustained disruption of talks, workshops or other sessions
• bullying, aggressive selling or repeatedly contacting someone who has not agreed to it
• sharing someone's personal information without their consent
• using AI tools to create or spread fake, sexual or harassing content about any participant
• being under the influence of alcohol or drugs in a way that puts others at risk
• encouraging or helping anyone to do any of the above, or retaliating against someone who reports a concern
• making reports in bad faith, or using this code to silence legitimate criticism

Some things are not breaches of this code: stating your own boundaries, declining to discuss a topic, or criticising behaviour that harms others.

Speakers, sponsors and partners

People who speak, sponsor or partner with us are held to the same code, and to a higher standard of care because they reach the whole audience.

• Speakers must keep talks, slides, demos and examples free of sexual, violent or discriminatory content. If a sensitive topic is essential, warn the audience at the start. Hosts may stop a talk that breaches this code.
• Sponsors and partners must keep stands, materials, giveaways and staff dress suitable for a professional audience. Collect contact details only from people who agree, at your stand, and never by scanning badges without asking.
• Hosts of side events linked to the Summit must apply this code and tell us about any incident.

Sponsors, partners, Synapse AI Summit staff and volunteers must not use sexualised images, activities or materials, wear sexualised clothing, uniforms or costumes, or otherwise create a sexualised environment.

A breach by a speaker, sponsor or partner can lead to the talk or stand being closed, and to the measures in Consequences below. Fees already paid are not refunded.

Reporting a concern

If you experience or see a breach, or anything else makes you feel unsafe, please tell us as soon as you can. You do not need to be sure it is a breach, and you can report on behalf of someone else.

At the Summit

Speak to any member of Synapse AI Summit staff, recognisable by their staff badge, or go to the registration desk. We will name a conduct contact at the opening of each day.

By phone during the event

We will publish an on-site number here before the Summit.

By email, before, during or after the event

coc@synapsesummit.ai. Use "Code of conduct" in the subject line.

In an emergency

Call 112 first, then tell Synapse AI Summit staff.

When you report, we will listen, keep you safe and act quickly. We can help you contact venue security or the police, find a quiet space, or arrange for someone to accompany you. We will not ask you to confront anyone, and you can report anonymously, although that may limit what we can do.

We will reply to email reports within two working days.

Consequences of breaches

Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behaviour must stop immediately. The organisers decide what action to take, based on how serious the breach is, whether it is repeated, and the safety and wishes of the person affected. We may use any of these measures, alone or together, and a serious breach can lead straight to removal.

• A conversation and a request to stop: for a first, minor breach that may have been unintentional.
• A formal warning, recorded by the organisers: for a breach repeated after a request, or a clear breach of moderate seriousness.
• Removal from a session, space or online channel: for behaviour that disrupts others or continues after a warning.
• Ending a talk, closing a stand or cancelling a sponsorship: for a breach by a speaker, sponsor or partner in their role at the Summit.
• Removal from the Summit without a refund, and cancellation of the badge: for harassment, threats, violence, or any breach that puts others at risk.
• A ban from future Synapse AI Summit events: for serious or repeated breaches.
• Informing venue security or the police: when there is a possible crime, or a risk to anyone's safety.

A person removed from the Summit loses their ticket and any perks or add-ons, with no refund or transfer, as set out in section 12 of the ticket terms. People who receive feedback under this code are asked to listen, reflect on the effect of their behaviour, and not argue the point with the person who raised it.

Appeals, confidentiality and legal

Appeals. If you disagree with a decision made under this code, or with how a report was handled, write to coc@synapsesummit.ai within 14 days of the decision. A member of the organising team who was not involved in the original decision will review it and reply within 14 days. The review decision is final.

Confidentiality. We share details of a report only with the people who need them to act, and we do not name the person who reported without their consent. Records of reports are kept securely, in line with our privacy notice, and deleted when they are no longer needed, normally within 24 months.

Legal. This code does not replace the law. Finnish law applies, including the Non-Discrimination Act (1325/2014) and the Act on Equality between Women and Men (609/1986). Nothing in this code stops anyone from contacting the police or other authorities.

The Summit is organised by Synapse AI Group Oy (business ID 3656890-9). We may change this code at any time, for example to reflect new laws, venue rules or lessons from past events. The current version is always published at synapsesummit.ai/code-of-conduct and applies from the date it is posted, shown at the top of this page. For tickets already bought, a change does not reduce the rights you have under the ticket terms.

Credits: This code of conduct is based mainly on the Lean Agile London code of conduct, used with permission, with additions from the Agile Finland code of conduct. The Agile Finland code of conduct is in turn based on the Geek Feminism’s example Conference Anti-Harassment Policy, Glasgow 2024, PyCon CZ and adapted by our CoC team.