AI Con USA 2025 - IT Operations
Customize your AI Con USA 2025 experience with sessions covering IT ops.
Sunday, June 8
GitHub Copilot Certification Bootcamp
Monday, June 9
Getting Started with AI and Machine Learning
Are you a software professional who would like to learn to use AI and machine learning (ML), but don't know how to get started? One of the best ways to get into ML is by designing and completing small projects. Although you will ultimately need to understand the fundamentals of AI/ML, there's no reason why you can't learn foundational terms, concepts and principles as you put them into practice. Join Dionny Santiago as he introduces you to the world of applied machine learning. Dionny will guide you through a series of ML projects end-to-end, enabling you to gain experience with creating...
Beginning Data Analysis and Machine Learning with Jupyter Notebooks
In this beginner-friendly workshop you'll see how you can get started with data analytics and data science using Jupyter Notebooks. Matt will start with the basics of notebooks and then move on to using Python, Pandas, and NumPy to perform basic exploratory data analysis. See how you can use Plotly Express to create interactive charts and visuals with only a minimal amount of code. Once you've grasped the basics of understanding and visualizing the data Matt will move on to machine learning with SciKit-Learn as you train and evaluate predictive regression and classification models. The...
Get Your Data Ready for AI/ML
Understanding the readiness of your source data before you launch an expensive AI/ML project lets you take corrective data engineering measures that will streamline the project and give you the best probability of a successful outcome. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) projects can provide significant returns on investment when they are applied to narrow but difficult business problems and are supported by adequate amounts of relevant, quality data. Many such projects start with high hopes but get derailed due to fundamental problems with source data, which were...
Supercharging Software Development with AI: A Deep Dive into Amazon CodeWhisperer & Amazon Q
NewThis workshop explores how Amazon CodeWhisperer and Amazon Q can enhance software development and business operations through AI-driven automation, covering everything from AI-assisted coding and testing to code and data migration. It starts with CodeWhisperer, showcasing how AI can automate repetitive tasks, suggest optimized code, and improve development efficiency. Then, it dives into Amazon Q, demonstrating its capabilities in code modernization, testing, and greenfield development. Participants will engage in hands-on exercises to migrate existing applications, leverage AI for testing...
Leveraging Generative AI for Software Productivity
Executive leaders across the globe have been asking a relatively simple yet profound question: Can we leverage generative AI to transform our business, enterprise, or industry? For software-based companies, focus has either been on differentiating their product and service offerings using this new technology. But how about leveraging generative AI to improve team productivity and efficiency? This may be possible but how do you measure its success? What are some of the key use cases within business analysis, development, and testing that software teams can use? Are there any pitfalls...
Become an AI Power User
NewImpostering a bit in the AI-verse? Overwhelmed by daily AI announcements? Unsure you're using AI most effectively? Tiny bit of FOMO? We've got you covered! In this workshop, we'll help you become an AI Power User. Become a boss at your job, whatever your role or industry! We'll show you where AI shines and where you'll want to be careful, plus toss you lots of hands-on practice. In our time together, we'll help you pinpoint YOUR niche, build a custom AI assistant, and develop a comms strategy to show off your new skills. You'll walk out with cutting-edge knowledge, a prompt library...
Introduction to RAG Applications: Building Conversational AI for Domain-specific Search
NewThis beginner-friendly workshop introduces participants to the fundamentals of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) applications. Using a pre-configured Docker environment featuring Python, Elasticsearch for vector storage, and OpenAI as the LLM, attendees will learn how to build a RAG-powered conversational portal. Throughout the session, participants will create a RAG application to consume and query a sample dataset of Washington State regulation documents. Replace these sample documents with your own PDF files, and you’ll interact with your data in no time! By the end, attendees will...
AI Code Generation Lifecycle
NewThis workshop explores the transformative potential of generative AI across the software development lifecycle, providing practitioners with hands-on insights into leveraging AI technologies for enhanced productivity. Participants will learn strategic approaches to translating requirements into code using large language models, demonstrating techniques for generating contextually accurate implementations with minimal manual intervention. The session will showcase a case study of an AI-assisted application that intelligently generates both backend services and user-facing displays. Further...
Tuesday, June 10
Prompt Engineering for Software Practitioners
With the sudden rise of ChatGPT and large language models (LLMs), practitioners are using these tools for all aspects of engineering. This includes leveraging LLMs for creating software artifacts such as requirements documents, source code, and tests; reviewing them for issues and making corrective suggestions, and analyzing or summarizing results or outcomes. However, if LLM's are not fed good prompts describing the task that the AI is supposed to perform, their responses can be inaccurate and unreliable. Join Tariq King as he teaches you how to craft high-quality AI prompts and...
AI-Assisted Development: Supercharge Your Coding with GitHub Copilot and More
NewThe world of software development is rapidly evolving, and AI-powered tools are leading the charge. Generative AI tools like GitHub Copilot, Cursor, and Continue are revolutionizing how we code by offering intelligent code suggestions, complete function generation, and other advanced features that streamline the development process, improve code quality, and significantly boost developer productivity. In this hands-on workshop, Jeffery Payne will guide you through leveraging these powerful tools to accelerate your coding, reduce errors, and unlock new levels of creativity. Learn how to...
Clean Your Filthy RAGS! Optimizing, Accelerating, and Evaluating RAG Applications
NewRetrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) applications are becoming essential for companies, combining AI with real-time data retrieval to enhance customer experiences. While Large Language Models (LLMs) handle general conversation well, they struggle with domain-specific, up-to-date information, often producing inaccurate or unhelpful responses. This workshop will empower participants with the necessary skills to optimize RAG applications using existing best practices. Justin will walk through integrating RAGAS, a framework designed to evaluate, monitor, and fine-tune the performance of RAG...
Common Software, Data, and AI Architectures and the Ways They Fail
NewThis tutorial will examine the complexity that lives in software systems, data ingestion workflows, MLOps pipelines, and artificial intelligence systems. This session blends together cloud architecture, quality assurance, risk management, and security mindsets as Matt Eland explores how modern systems are structured, the problems their complexity helps us solve, and the ways these systems can break - or be broken. The session will alternate between interactive lectures with practical illustrations and group exercises around case studies as you explore how existing systems can fail and what...
A Quality Engineering Introduction to AI and Machine Learning
Although there are several controversies and misunderstandings surrounding AI and machine learning, one thing is apparent — people have quality concerns about the safety, reliability, and trustworthiness of these types of systems. Not only are ML-based systems shrouded in mystery due to their largely black-box nature, they also tend to be unpredictable since they can adapt and learn new things at runtime. Validating ML systems is challenging and requires a cross-section of knowledge, skills, and experience from areas such as mathematics, data science, software engineering, cyber-security,...
Image Classification using LLMs and Transfer Learning
Large language models, like Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPTs) to create textual content in ChatBots and other Generative AI applications, have garnered much attention recently. However, not all data is textual. Another important use of LLMs is for image processing to address real-world problems such as: real-time object recognition, classification of images, and generation of modern art. Jeffery Payne will explore how large language models for images (also known as visual language models - VLMs) can be used for image classification, object detection, image capture generation, and...
This Is Our Agent, We Make the Call
NewAgents! Finally, a term that might be even more over-hyped than AI! But what exactly are Agents, and more importantly, how do you use them? Where do Agents fit within the overall AI toolkit? What capabilities do they add, and what tasks can they help us perform? Dona and Jeremiah will help you gain a solid understanding of Agents and the fundamental components of an Agent-based AI system. You’ll learn key design principles for Agents, as well as when to leverage them and scenarios where they may not be the best choice. We'll cover how to identify business problems that are well-suited for...
AI Deep Dive: Exploring AWS Using Real-World Scenarios
Deepen your AI and machine learning expertise using AWS in an Immersive, hands-on workshop. You’ll use real-world AI challenges while leveraging AWS services like Amazon SageMaker, Bedrock, and Lambda to build and optimize AI-driven solutions. As the session unfolds, new constraints and data anomalies will emerge, mirroring the complexities of real-world AI/ML implementation. Gain insight into how AI solutions perform under evolving conditions, learning to adapt, optimize, and troubleshoot unexpected challenges. Learn the importance of collaboration, strategic thinking, problem-solving,...
Wednesday, June 11
Building Reliable AI Agent Flows
AI agents are revolutionizing how we interact with software, but their reliability remains a critical challenge. In this talk, Jason Arbon explores the key principles and techniques for designing AI agent flows that are predictable, testable, and robust. Attendees will learn how to structure AI-driven interactions to minimize failure points, leverage validation mechanisms, and integrate automated testing strategies to ensure smooth execution. Drawing from real-world applications and lessons learned in AI-driven software testing, this session will provide practical insights for engineers,...
Mastering Prompt Engineering: Unlocking the Power of Prompt Patterns and Meta-Prompting Technique
As AI becomes increasingly central to professional workflows, the ability to craft effective prompts has emerged as a crucial skill. While many users struggle with trial-and-error approaches, this session introduces a systematic framework for prompt engineering based on proven patterns and and meta-prompting techniques. You'll learn how to apply specific prompt patterns such as persona, meta-language creation, and flipped interaction, and more, to achieve consistently better results. You will then explore meta-prompting - a powerful technique where AI assists in generating, refining, and...
Operationalizing Disruptive Technologies: A Strategic Framework for Harnessing the Power of GenAI
The advent of disruptive technologies, particularly in artificial intelligence, has ushered in a new era of possibilities and challenges. This talk proposes a comprehensive framework for operationalizing disruptive technologies, specifically focusing on the transformative potential of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI). As organizations grapple with integrating GenAI into their operations, there is a pressing need for a structured approach that addresses technical, ethical, and organizational considerations. Mary will delve into a strategic framework designed to guide businesses in...
Thursday, June 12
The AI-Powered Leader: Creating Alignment and Redefining Leadership in an Autonomous Era
Traditional leadership has relied on intuition, manual processes, and fragmented feedback loops. But what if AI could fundamentally reshape how we lead—creating inherent alignment, removing hierarchical bottlenecks, and enabling decentralized decision-making? Imagine an autonomous AI companion that analyzes patterns, prioritizes coaching needs, and adapts in real time to foster self-organization, continuous learning, and leadership at every level. In this session, we’ll explore how AI-driven leadership models can replace rigid hierarchies with dynamic, data-informed decision-making,...
Continuous Testing for AI Applications
In the era of artificial intelligence, software testing has evolved from a finite phase in development to an ongoing, dynamic process of monitoring. Unlike traditional deterministic systems, AI-driven applications operate probabilistically, introducing variability and uncertainty in outputs even with consistent inputs. This paradigm shift requires a rethinking of testing strategies, moving towards continuous monitoring to ensure performance, fairness, and reliability in production environments. This session will explore how QA teams can integrate AI-specific methods, anomaly detection, and...
RAG Has Evolved - Enhance Your RAG Pipeline with These Concepts
The majority of businesses today can set up a fundamental RAG pipeline that effectively handles most use cases. However, this basic setup eventually reaches its limitations in terms of functionality and accuracy, hindering further advancements. Matt Payne aims to detail the necessary pipeline components for building advanced RAG pipelines. For each component, he will explain the what, when, why, and how and provide real-world examples. Key areas of focus include leveraging tools and function calling, which enables you to create a systematic approach to using knowledge from multiple sources...
Navigating Compliance with the EU AI Act: Strategies for Responsible AI Development and Governance
As AI systems continue to transform industries, the EU AI Act sets a pivotal regulatory framework to ensure responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence across Europe. This session will provide practical insights into navigating compliance with the EU AI Act, addressing key requirements for high-risk AI systems, transparency, accountability, and data governance. Joanna will explore how organizations can align their AI development processes with the Act's standards while maintaining innovation. Attendees will gain actionable strategies for integrating compliance into existing...