Hear talks from experts on cutting-edge topics in AI, ML, and computer vision!

Register for the event to reserve your seat.

When and Where

July 16 5:30-8:30 PM

Paris Marriott Opera Ambassador Vendôme Meeting Room 16 Bd Haussmann

Building and working with Small Language Models

This session focuses on practical techniques for using small open-source language models (SLMs) in enterprise settings. We'll explore modern workflows for adapting SLMs with domain-specific pre-training, instruction fine-tuning, and alignment. Along the way, we will introduce and demonstrate open-source tools such as DistillKit, Spectrum, and MergeKit, which implement advanced techniques crucial for achieving task-specific accuracy while optimizing computational costs. We'll also discuss some of the models and solutions built by Arcee AI. Join us to learn how small, efficient, and adaptable models can transform your AI applications.

About the Speaker

Julien Simon, the Chief Evangelist at Arcee.ai, is dedicated to helping enterprise clients develop top-notch and cost-efficient AI solutions using small language models. With over 30 years of tech experience, including more than a decade in cloud computing and machine learning, Julien is committed to daily learning and is passionate about sharing his expertise through code demos, blogs, and YouTube videos. Before joining Arcee.ai, he was Chief Evangelist at Hugging Face and Global AI Evangelist at Amazon Web Services. He also served as a CTO at prominent startups.

Accelerating sustainable inference with Pruna AI

This talk explores how to make AI faster and more sustainable. We’ll look at the high costs and carbon impact of fine-tuning and self deploying models, and show how optimization techniques available in the Pruna library can reduce size and latency with little to no quality loss.

About the Speaker

Gabriel Tregoat is the software lead at Pruna.ai, a specialist company on model inference optimisation with an open source library called “pruna”. He previously was a leader for AI in production at Ekimetrics, and started his career as a data scientist and ml-engineer at Shell Energy. He’s passionate about tech, code and new technologies.

Visual Agents: What it takes to build an agent that can navigate GUIs like humans

We’ll examine conceptual frameworks, potential applications, and future directions of technologies that can “see” and “act” with increasing independence. The discussion will touch on both current limitations and promising horizons in this evolving field.

About the Speaker

Harpreet Sahota is a hacker-in-residence and machine learning engineer with a passion for deep learning and generative AI. He’s got a deep interest in RAG, Agents, and Multimodal AI.

What I Learned About Systematic AI Improvement

Most AI teams go through the same story: fast early progress, and then suddenly things slow down. The AI isn’t broken, but new changes don’t seem to help, and it’s not even clear how to tell if things are getting better. I’ve faced this plateau myself—both in my own work and while helping other teams. In this talk, I’ll share what I’ve learned about getting unstuck: how to build genuine confidence in your AI, what “trust” really means in practice, and practical steps to move from “it kind of works” to “this is actually improving.” My goal is to give you real-world ideas you can use when you hit the same wall.

About the Speaker

Louis Dupont is an AI engineer with over eight years of experience developing AI solutions across multiple industries. Currently, he work directly with companies to build and deploy AI internally, and as a consultant specializing in helping teams overcome common roadblocks in AI development.

2 Days Hands-On Online Workshop: Azure AI Foundry and Copilot Studio Bootcamp Date: 29-30 May 2025, 9 AM to 5 PM Central Time Level: Beginners/Intermediate Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hands-on-azure-ai-foundry-and-copilot-studio-bootcamp-tickets-1267311596099?aff=oddtdtcreator Who Should Attend? This hands-on workshop is open to developers, senior software engineers, IT pros, architects, IT managers, citizen developers, technology product managers, IT leaders, enterprise architects, chief analytics officers, chief information officers, chief technology officers, and decision-makers interested in learning how AI Agents and Generative AI can help infuse artificial intelligence into next-generation apps and agents. Experience with C#, Python, or JavaScript is helpful but not required. You don't need prior knowledge of AI either. Although this isn't a data & analytics-focused workshop, data scientists, data stewards, and technically-minded data protection officers will also find it very valuable Description: With ChatGPT and other large language models, generative AI has captured the attention of global consumers, enterprises, and C-suite executives. AI has a significant role in the enterprise space and is evolving rapidly. Without understanding the concepts behind these advanced technologies, developers and administrators might find it challenging to assess the true impact of emerging tools and solutions. An AI agent is a powerful companion capable of managing a variety of interactions and tasks—from handling complex conversations to autonomously deciding the best actions based on instructions and context. Agents coordinate language models along with instructions, context, knowledge sources, topics, actions, inputs, and triggers to achieve your desired outcomes. Copilot Studio is a graphical, low-code tool designed for creating agents, including building automations with Power Automate and extending Microsoft 365 Copilot with your own enterprise data and scenarios. One standout feature of Copilot Studio is its ability to connect to other data sources through either prebuilt or custom plugins, as well as integration with Azure AI Foundry. This flexibility allows users to easily build sophisticated logic, ensuring that agent experiences are both powerful and intuitive. Azure AI Foundry is a unified AI platform that includes the Azure AI Foundry portal (formerly Azure AI Studio) and the Azure AI Foundry SDK—a unified SDK featuring pre-built app templates. This SDK gives developers easy access to popular models through a single interface, simplifies the integration of Azure AI into applications, and helps evaluate, debug, and improve application quality and safety throughout development, testing, and production. In this two-day virtual hands-on workshop, Microsoft AI and Business Applications MVP and Microsoft Certified Trainer, Prashant G Bhoyar, will cover these topics in detail:

1. What are multimodal GenAI applications?
2. What are AI agents?
3. What are autonomous agents?
4. What are custom Copilots?
5. Introduction to Copilot Studio: Learn to create agents, build automations with Power Automate, and extend Microsoft 365 Copilot using enterprise data. Discover how to use prebuilt and custom plugins alongside Azure AI Foundry for powerful, intuitive agent experiences.
6. Azure AI Foundry: An in-depth overview of Azure AI Foundry.
7. Azure OpenAI Services: Explore these services, their architecture, and their role in the broader AI ecosystem.
8. Using models from DeepSeek, Llama, Hugging Face, and other open-source models via Azure AI Foundry.
9. Prompt engineering: An in-depth look at creating effective prompts, understanding their importance, and the factors influencing their performance.
10. Use cases and common architectures: Hands-on labs demonstrating real-world implementations.
11. How to evaluate use cases and determine ROI.
12. Azure OpenAI Service embedding models.
13. Customizing Azure OpenAI Services: Configuration to deployment tailored to specific business needs.
14. Deep dive into Azure OpenAI Services: A detailed look at popular models like o1, GPT, Ada, and DALL-E, discussing their unique features and ideal use cases.
15. Using Azure OpenAI Service to access company data.
16. Azure AI Services overview: Language, Speech, and Vision services and their real-world applications.
17. Conversational AI: Design, train, and refine AI capable of human-like interactions.
18. Azure AI Search: Creating advanced search experiences.
19. Document Intelligence Service: Extracting key-value pairs and table data from documents using machine learning.
20. Azure AI Agent Service: Feature-rich managed capabilities combining models, data, tools, and services for automating complex business processes.
21. Semantic Kernel: An open-source SDK for combining AI services (OpenAI, Azure OpenAI, Hugging Face) with programming languages like C# and Python to create advanced AI applications.
22. Model Context Protocol ( MCP )
23. Responsible AI: Ethics and responsible practices in AI use.
24. Enterprise-level applications, Custom Copilots, and AI agents: Learn to develop scalable, multimodal applications using Copilot Studio and Azure AI Foundry, emphasizing industry requirements and best practices.

By the end of the workshop, you'll have practical experience building next-generation multimodal applications, Custom Copilots, and AI Agents using Copilot Studio and Azure AI Foundry. Workshop Resources: Access to Copilot Studio, Azure, and Azure OpenAI services (valued at USD 500) will be provided for hands-on labs, allowing you to build enterprise-grade multimodal applications and agents. However, you're encouraged to use your own Copilot Studio and Azure subscriptions if available. Attendee Workstation Requirements: You must bring your own computer (Windows or Mac) with:

• Camera, speakers, microphone, and a reliable internet connection. Tablets will not work for this workshop.
• A modern browser (Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari).
• Access to www.azure.com and https://copilotstudio.microsoft.com.
• Nice to have is the ability to run C# 10 or Python code, using Visual Studio 2022, VSCode 1.66+, Visual Studio for Mac, Rider, or similar IDE.

This event is an open discussion around creating a collaborative and inclusive future in technology. We have a brilliant panel of 4 guests, who are all in leadership roles, and will be sharing their experiences.

This event is for everyone to come together and discuss allyship, inclusivity, and how we should treat each other in the wonderful world of technology.

There is a particular focus around DevOps and AI.

Huge thanks for Avanade for sponsoring this event, and to Civo Tech Junction for hosting! Massive thank you to Magda for co-organising too.

Format of the meetup event will be as follows:

6pm – 6:30pm - Networking on arrival coupled with some snacks provided by ReVybe IT and Avanade.

6:30pm - 7:10pm - Panel discussion

7:10pm -7:20pm - 10-minute break

7:20pm - 7:50pm - Q&A - We strongly encourage the audience to get involved in this!

7:50pm -8:50pm - Pizza, refreshments, and networking.

8:50pm - Event close - networking continues at "Angel London EC1", a GastroPub round the corner.

Session Abstract:

- Career growth in the DevOps space - Inclusivity in DevOps teams - Future of Women in DevOps - Challenges in AI Development - How to foster an inclusive culture within tech businesses - Personal experiences and advice - Why allyship is crucial in building an inclusive environment - Navigating leadership in tech as a women.

Panel Host:

Magdalene Amegashitsi - Data and AI Senior Manager @ Avanade

Magda is a multi-award winner and senior leader in Tech, helping Companies realise their Data ad AI ambitions by developing Strategies and driving impactful and complex digital and data transformations. She is an advocate for Women looking to build a career in Tech and values leadership greatly. Magda is a co-chair for the Women’s Employee Network across Avanade Europe and the Middle East. Furthermore, Magda is the Founder of the Global Queens Community, a Charity which aims to bridge the gap for the underrepresented and inspire women to discover the next best version of themselves.

Panelists:

#1 - Prathy Kamasani - Director @ Avanade

Prathy Kamasani, a Director at Avanade and 7X Microsoft MVP who specializes in Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, and Azure data solutions. With extensive experience in MSBI and the Power BI platform, she crafts custom, high-quality BI systems that empower organizations to make informed decisions.

Her approach is both design-centric and user-focused, ensuring that her BI solutions are not only functional but also visually appealing. Prathy collaborates with clients across diverse sectors, helping them harness the power of data.

Beyond her professional role, Prathy is an active member of the BI community. She shares her insights through her blog, prathy.com, where she delves into topics related to Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, and more. Her passion extends to community engagement, including participation in the London Fabric User Group and speaking at industry events like SQLBits, the Microsoft Fabric Community Conference, and Microsoft Business Applications Summit.

#2 - Valentina Vacca - Director of Technology

Valentina held senior leadership positions at several renowned organizations, including, 8x8, Currencycloud, Inmarsat, and Ladbrokes Coral. Her expertise in cloud infrastructure, DevOps, and enterprise architecture, combined with a deep understanding of companies' needs has made her a very effective technology leader

Beyond the technical acumen, Valentina has 10+years of experience in building and leading high-performing teams. She has a proven track record in coaching and developing talent, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and preparing the next generation of technology leaders.

#3 - Samer Naqvi - Principal Consultant @ GlobalLogic

Samer is an international speaker with over 16 years of comprehensive experience as a Test Architect, specializing in refining QA practices and empowering teams to achieve excellence through cutting-edge tools and methodologies. Beyond Samer's professional pursuits, she is deeply passionate about advocating for Women in Tech. Through speaking engagements at colleges, organizations, and prominent conferences, she actively raises awareness and motivates the next generation of young women to embrace and excel in the dynamic field of technology.

P.S. Please provide full name and email address for access to the Civo Tech Junction building

Address: First Floor, 32-37 Cowper Street, London, EC2A 4AW

Reactor Series: Spotlight on Applications Innovation & AI Session #5 | AI and Kubernetes: A Winning Combination for Modern App Development Day: 26.03.2024 Time: 16:30 UTC

About the Series: The "Spotlight on Applications Innovation & AI" webinar series is designed to delve deep into the latest trends, tools, and techniques in the realm of applications innovation and artificial intelligence (AI). Each session brings together industry experts, thought leaders, and practitioners to explore various facets of innovation in application development, highlighting emerging technologies, best practices, and real-world use cases.

About the Session: In this session titled "AI and Kubernetes: A Winning Combination for Modern App Development," we delve into the symbiotic relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and Kubernetes, a leading container orchestration platform. Through expert presentations and case studies, attendees will gain a deep understanding of how AI and Kubernetes synergize to revolutionize modern application development practices.

Who Should Attend: This session is ideal for developers, DevOps engineers, data scientists, government officials, and anyone interested in the convergence of AI and Kubernetes in modern application development. Whether you're seeking insights into cutting-edge technologies, exploring innovative solutions for application development, or looking to drive digital transformation in your organization, this session caters to a diverse audience.

By attending this session, you will:

Gain valuable insights into the transformative potential of AI and Kubernetes in modern application development. Explore practical use cases and real-world examples of how organizations leverage AI and Kubernetes to drive innovation. Learn from industry experts about best practices, strategies, and tools for integrating AI and Kubernetes into your development workflows. Network with peers and engage in discussions to exchange ideas, experiences, and insights in the realm of AI and Kubernetes.

Agenda:

16:30-16:40 - Introduction: Welcome to the "DevBoost for Developer Productivity" – Moria Dror, Regional Reactor PM, Microsoft

16:40-17:05 Build Intelligent Apps & AKS for AI - Paul Maddox, Director - Digital & App Innovation, Microsoft

Join Paul Maddox to explore the future of application development at the intersection of AI and cloud-native technologies like Kubernetes. Whether you're part of a development team leveraging generative AI or an operations team balancing innovation with security and compliance, Azure provides the tools to help you succeed. Discover how cutting-edge features in Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Functions, and Azure Container Apps seamlessly bring intelligent applications to production. Learn how AI assistance built into Azure empowers both developers and operations teams to scale efficiently.

17:05-17:35 : AI for AKS & Azure Container Apps - Nikolaos Antoniou, Enterprise Cloud Solutions Specialist, Microsoft

In this session, Nikolaos Antoniou will delve into the integration of AI capabilities with Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) and Azure Container Apps. Explore how AI enhances the capabilities of AKS and Azure Container Apps, enabling developers to build intelligent, scalable, and efficient applications. Gain insights into practical use cases and best practices for leveraging AI in conjunction with Kubernetes and containerized applications on Azure.

17:35-18:00 - Revolutionizing Public Administration: A Tech Dive into the Greek AI Chatbot Case Study

Discover how the Greek government leveraged artificial intelligence to revolutionize public administration with an innovative AI Chatbot. This groundbreaking initiative developed a digital assistant for the government's online portal, gov.gr. Powered by natural language processing and machine learning, the AI Chatbot efficiently responds to citizens' inquiries, from simple to complex queries. Explore the integration of advanced technologies such as Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Cosmos DB, and AI in this case study, showcasing how innovative approaches are reshaping public service delivery.

Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the fusion of AI and Kubernetes and its profound implications for modern application development. Join us for an enlightening session filled with expert insights, practical examples, and real-world case studies. Whether you're a developer, data scientist, or government official, this session offers invaluable knowledge and perspectives to navigate the evolving landscape of technology. We look forward to your participation!

Visit Microsoft Learn to discover free AI learning courses - https://learn.microsoft.com/ai/?wt.mc_id=slidescontent_21635_webinar_reactor

Register to the Whole Series- https://developer.microsoft.com/reactor/series/S-1271?wt.mc_id=slidescontent_21635_webinar_reactor

If you signed up for this series, you probably won't want to miss this one either – https://developer.microsoft.com/reactor/series/S-1273?wt.mc_id=slidescontent_21635_webinar_reactor

Join us at The Health Foundry on Wednesday 16th August for an evening of talks, food, and conversation with ML and AI industry pros. If you can't join us in person you can watch remotely via Google Meet or alternatively watch the recording on our YouTube channel (typically available within 48hrs of the event).

Please RSVP for the event well in advance if you plan to attend in person and unRSVP if you can no longer attend as limited spaces are available.

Agenda 06:30pm - Doors open, food and drink served 07:00pm - Welcome 07:05pm - Ben Gamble, Aiven "ML powered data matching to make real time decisions" 07:45pm - Break 08:00pm - Sha Ali,Elf Kare "Beyond the Hype - Tech for Good using practical AI" 08:40pm - Fran Knight, Daemon, "AI meets Neuroscience: would you let chatGPT read your mind?" 09:00pm - Wrap up

This event will be broadcast live via Google Meet, more details below Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning for Enterprise #8 @ The Health Foundry Wednesday, 16 August · 7:00 – 9:00pm Time zone: Europe/London Google Meet joining info Video call link: meet.google.com/uuy-sofy-wer

In this podcast, @JohnNives discusses ways to demystify AI for the enterprise. He shares his perspective on how businesses should engage with AI and what are some of the best practices and considerations for businesses to adopt AI in their strategic roadmap. This podcast is great for anyone seeking to learn about the way to adopt AI in the enterprise landscape.

Timelines: 0:28 John's journey. 6:50 John's current role. 9:40 The role of a chief digital officer. 11:16 The current trend of AI. 13:52 AI hype or real? 16:42 Why AI now? 19:03 Demystifying deep learning. 23:35 Enterprise use cases of AI. 28:25 Attributes of a successful AI project. 32:20 Best AI investments in an enterprise. 36:56 Convincing leadership to adopt AI. 39:20 Organizational implications of adopting AI. 43:45 What do executives get wrong about AI? 48:36 Tips for executives to understand the AI landscape. 53:11 John's favorite reads. 57:35 Closing remarks.

John's Recommended Listen: FutureOfData Podcast math.im/itunes War and Peace Leo Tolstoy (Author),‎ Frederick Davidson (Narrator),‎ Inc. Blackstone Audio (Publisher) amzn.to/2w7ObkI

Podcast Link: https://futureofdata.org/johnnives-on-ways-to-demystify-ai-for-enterprise/

Jean's BIO: Jean-Louis (John) Nives serves as Chief Digital Officer and the Global Chair of the Digital Transformation practice at N2Growth. Prior to joining N2Growth, Mr. Nives was at IBM Global Business Services, within the Watson and Analytics Center of Competence. There he worked on Cognitive Digital Transformation projects related to Watson, Big Data, Analytics, Social Business and Marketing/Advertising Technology. Examples include CognitiveTV and the application of external unstructured data (social, weather, etc.) for business transformation. Prior relevant experience includes executive leadership positions at Nielsen, IRI, Kraft and two successful advertising technology acquisitions (Appnexus and SintecMedia). In this capacity, Jean-Louis combined information, analytics and technology to created significant business value in transformative ways. Jean-Louis earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from University at Buffalo and an MBA in Finance and Computer Science from Pace University. He is married with four children and lives in the New York City area.

About #Podcast:

FutureOfData podcast is a conversation starter to bring leaders, influencers and lead practitioners to discuss their journey in creating the data-driven future.

Wanna Join? If you or any you know wants to join in, Register your interest @ play.analyticsweek.com/guest/

Want to sponsor? Email us @ [email protected]

Keywords:

FutureOfData #DataAnalytics #Leadership #Podcast #BigData #Strategy