Futures Forum: AI/LLM Meetup

🎙️ Featured Talks:

Everything I wish I knew before I started building an LLM product
Ed Shee, AI Engineer and Founder at Ignitus

Introduction to Foundation Models: A Whirlwind Tour of Modern AI Tools and Techniques
Ramon Perez, Developer Relations at Seldon

Futures Forum is a monthly meetup powered by SurrealDB that explores the AI revolution, with a particular focus on LLMs (Large Language Models). With actionable insights, the series will include introductory and advanced topic discussions by a dynamic and diverse range of expert speakers, live demos, news updates and panel discussions. Plus plenty of time for networking and refreshments.

💻 The event will be available to watch afterwards via the SurrealDB Futures Forum playlist here: http://bit.ly/3vHHyVR.

📣 Talks and demos by experts in their fields
🗣️ Friendly networking
🍕 Delicious bites and 🍦ice cream
🍹 Tasty drinks – including boozy and alcohol-free options, sponsored by Something & Nothing
😆 Informative, inclusive and fun!

Agenda

18:30 - 19:00
Welcome Drinks
Attendees arrive – grab a drink, explore the space and mingle.

19:00 - 19:30
What Nobody Tells You About Building LLM Products
Ed Shee, AI Engineer and Founder at Ignitus

Curious about building awesome apps with Large Language Models (LLMs)? Come join Ed as he shares everything he wishes he knew before he got started. This talk is packed with real-world insights, including:

• Clever techniques for Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
• Crafting prompts that actually work
• Keeping LLMs on track and under control
• Ensuring your text outputs are top-notch
• Building smart and efficient agents

Plus, Ed will give you a look into the future of LLM apps and what to expect next. Whether you're new to the game or a seasoned developer, you'll leave with practical tips and fresh ideas to power up your projects.

19:30 - 20:00
Social & Tasty Bites
A fun and informal way to connect with others in the tech community. Grab a slice of pizza or summer roll, hop on the Oculus or chat with other attendees and the SurrealDB team.

20:00 - 20:30
Introduction to Foundation Models: A Whirlwind Tour of Modern AI Tools and Techniques
Ramon Perez, Developer Relations at Seldon

In this talk, we'll dive deep into what foundation models are, why they matter, and how to get started with them. We'll start with an introduction, breaking down the basics, before exploring their wide-ranging applications. From there, we'll go through the process of creating a tiny foundation model and how to use it effectively with prompts. We'll also address common challenges in working with these models and discuss strategies for deployment and post-deployment maintenance. This will be a comprehensive tour through the lifecycle of foundation models, and no prior experience in AI is required. If you’re looking to build some foundational knowledge about machine learning and these new technologies, this talk is for you.

20:30 - 20:45
Panel Discussion & Q+A
Lizzie Holmes, Ramon Perez, Ed Shee

20:45 - 21:15
Social & Sweet Treats

FAQs

Who’s this event for?
For anyone wanting to learn more about the way that AI and LLMs are shaping the world.
What’s an LLM?
A large language model (LLM) is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that uses deep learning techniques and massive data sets to understand, summarise, generate and predict new content. LLMs power chat apps like ChatGPT, but also they are increasingly underlying almost every aspect of AI.
Is the venue accessible?
Absolutely! There is a lift that takes you up to Level 4 where SurrealDB Social is held.
What's a SurrealDB event like?
Check out photos from our previous events at https://surrealdb.gallery.
Who are SurrealDB?
SurrealDB is a modern cloud-native multi-model database that allows users and developers to focus on building their applications rather than architecting and managing their infrastructure with features like SurrealQL, Live Queries, Search, Change Data Capture, and ML.
Am I guaranteed a ticket at this event?
Our events are tech-focused and in the interest of keeping our events relevant and meaningful for those attending, tickets are issued at our discretion. We therefore reserve the right to refund ticket orders before the event and to request proof of identity and/or professional background upon entry.
Are there any House Rules?
At SurrealDB, we are committed to providing live and online events that are safe and enjoyable for all attending. Please review our Code of Conduct and Privacy Policy for more information.