Hands-on Azure AI Bootcamp (Sat Apr 20 @ NERD)

Hello Boston Azure Community!

Some final details have been added below. We are ready!

This is a full-day on Saturday Apr 20, 2024, 8:30-5:00, hands-on event on Azure with an AI-focus.

• Labs will be offered in Python.
• Content focus and associated labs will be on AI concepts and understanding them through hands-on experiences using Azure OpenAI features (and maybe some other adjacent features).

Prerequisites for the labs:

1. Python 3.11
2. Git
3. VS Code
4. VS Code extensions for Jupyter and Python

Sincerely,

Jason, Veronika, and Bill on behalf of @bostonazure

VENUE, LOCATION, and ID REQUIREMENTS
This event is taking place at Microsoft New England Research and Development, affectionately known as Microsoft NERD.

• Location: One Memorial Drive, Cambridge MA
• Parking: Parking is available under the building (cost: $10 for parking on weekends) - sometimes on-street parking can also be found along Memorial Drive or other nearby streets.
• Public Transportation: the nearest MBTA station is the Kendall/MIT stop on the Red Line (NERD is a just a short walk from there)
• Government-issued ID needed for entry. Please check in at the security desk with photo id on street level. They will direct you to the event (one floor up on the elevator).
• Please set up your Meetup account to have your real name.

Note: While we are still separately running Virtual Boston Azure events where participants join the event over the internet, we do NOT intend to broadcast this event. This event is IN-PERSON ONLY.

SPONSORSHIP
Thank you to Daymark for supporting the local technology community by sponsoring this event by providing breakfast and lunch for our attendees!

AGENDA

• 8:30 - open to attendees!
• 8:30-9:00 BREAKFAST sponsored by Daymark and catered by Sebastian's (coffee, tea, and breakfast packages). Vegetarian and Gluten-free options are included.
• 9:00-12:00 Azure OpenAI and adjacent topics, including hands-on labs:
• LAB 1 - led by Veronika - approx 1 hour.
• LAB 2 - led by Bill - approx 1 hour.
• 12:00-12:45 LUNCH sponsored by Daymark and catered by Sebastian's (sandwiches à la carte and salads). Vegetarian and Gluten-free options are included.
• 12:45-4:45 Azure OpenAI and adjacent topics, including hands-on labs:
• LAB 3 - led by Jason - approx 2 hours.
• LAB 4 - led by Juan Pablo - approx 2 hours.
• 4:45-5:00 WRAP UP

PRESENTERS

1. Juan Pablo Garcia Gonzalez • @liarjo • Microsoft
2. Veronika Kolesnikova • @veronika_dev1 • AI MVP, Boston Azure Co-organizer
3. Jason Haley • @haleyjason • Azure MVP, North Boston Azure Organizer
4. Bill Wilder • @codingoutloud • Azure MVP, Boston Azure Co-organizer

IN SUMMARY...

• Breakfast, lunch, and caffeine are being provided, thanks to sponsorship by Daymark!
• BRING A LAPTOP THAT CAN CODE IN Python (and perhaps also C#)
  → there will be Azure OpenAI and adjacent hands-on activities through the day so bring your laptop! ←
• BRING GOV'T-ISSUED ID - driver's license or passport or similar should do the trick - this is to get into NERD.
• We have A GREAT COMMUNITY so come hang out with other Boston Azure community members on what promises to be a FUN DAY. The pandemic has ended - we can be social again.
• There are no longer any mask or vaccine requirements from Microsoft who is kindly offering the space for us to host this event.
• This event is run in coordination with the annual Global Azure 2024.