Join us for an exciting in-person event at Plummer Park, Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA, USA. DevFest is a must-attend gathering for developers, tech enthusiasts, and industry professionals. Dive into a world of cutting-edge technology, network with like-minded individuals, and explore the latest trends in software development. From engaging workshops to inspiring talks by industry leaders, this event promises to be a hub of innovation and collaboration. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to expand your knowledge, connect with experts, and have a blast! Save the date and get ready for an unforgettable experience at DevFest Los Angeles 2023.
Brought to you by:
Google Developer Groups: Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, Culver City, Los Angeles Android
Google Developer Student Clubs: Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State LA
Women Techmakers of Greater Los Angeles
Refreshments will be provided, and we will have exciting giveaways including Google products, so be sure to register today!
Event Schedule
We will have two tracks focused on either professionals or students, but everyone is welcome to attend either track.
Pro Track
4:30-5:10 Integrating Visual Communication & Storytelling by Vaishnavi Venkata Subramanian
Visual communication is using visual elements to get a message across, inspire change, or evoke an emotion. ~55% of our cortex is dedicated to processing visual stimuli. Here I am going to talk about how to create your visual user manual to highlight your values, mission, challenges and strengths.
5:10-5:50 Build Your Own GenAI Model by Vikram Tiwari
In this talk, we will discuss the basics of generative AI and how to build your own GenAI model. We will cover the following topics:
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What is generative AI?
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How do GenAI models work?
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The different types of GenAI models
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How to build a GenAI model
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How to deploy a GenAI model
I will also provide hands-on examples of how to build GenAI models using open-source tools.
5:50-6:30 3 Habits to Supercharge Your Career Growth by Michelle Brenner
Professional skills are rarely taught in school, even though they are as critical to career success as technical skills. I will let you in on the 3 habits that have helped me and hundreds of mentees become superstar employees and fast-track their growth.
6:30-7:30 Women Techmakers Presents: Leaders in AI at Google Panel
This panel will center on the experiences and leadership of women in the field of AI at Google, providing an exploration of their journey. The discussions will discuss skill development and strategies for advancing careers. Additionally, the panelists will share insights on their efforts to champion diversity and inclusion within the AI industry. Given the present market challenges and opportunities within AI, our panelists will also shed light on their approaches to addressing current setbacks, preparing for the future of leadership in the tech industry, and actively fostering the next generation of women leaders in AI.
Panelists:
TBA
Moderator: Emily Anderson
Student Track
4.30–5.10: Adventures through LLMs: Tracing Origins & Charting a Safe Future by ChengCheng Tan
What are language models and how did they get so large? We’ll trace the evolution from humble rule-based systems to the cutting-edge large language models of today. Explore how transformers have revolutionized the field and discover the key factors that contribute to their effectiveness. Looking ahead, we’ll delve into how language models are used in technical AI safety research. AI has captured the world’s attention. Let’s better understand their incredible benefits as well as their potential risks.
5.10–5.50: BigQuery Studio and BigFrames: Unlocking the Power of Scalable Data Science by Jeff Nelson
BigQuery Studio and BigFrames are a powerful combination for scalable data science & analytics. Unify data management, analysis, and collaboration with BigQuery Studio’s intuitive interface. Scale data science and machine learning with BigFrames’ powerful Python API. Get deeper insights, faster.
5.50–6.30: LeetCode interview session by Bryan Bergo
In this LeetCode-style interview session, students will be given a coding problem to solve within a specified time frame. These problems can cover a wide range of topics, including data structures, algorithms, and problem-solving techniques. The goal is to assess the ability to write efficient and correct code under time constraints.
The individual who successfully solves the problem in the shortest amount of time will be awarded exciting prizes!
6.30–7.10: Breaking into AI - A career talk by ChengCheng Tan
Learn actionable strategies to leverage your existing skills and break into the world of tech, regardless of your background or career stage. Redefine your career and seize the opportunities AI has to offer!
7.10–7.40: Upping Your LinkedIn Game by Matt Kaufman
LinkedIn isn't a weird social media for work, it's a backdoor to getting an interview. Join us as we learn how to improve your LinkedIn profile and leverage it to getting an interview at that company you want to work for.
About GDG & DevFest
Google Developer Group DevFests are the largest Google related events in the world! Each DevFest is carefully crafted for you by your local GDG community to bring in awesome speakers, great topics, and lots of fun! While no two events will be exactly alike, each GDG DevFest will, at its core, be powered by a shared belief that when developers come together to exchange ideas, amazing things can happen!
Agenda
4:00 PM: Doors Open, Networking
4:30 PM: Pro & Student Track Tech Talks
We will have two tracks focused on either professionals or students, but everyone is welcome to attend either track. See above for detailed information!
7:30 PM: Networking
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Speakers
Vikram Tiwari - Omni Labs (Co-founder, Tech)
Vikram Tiwari is Co-founder, Tech at Omni Labs and manages all the tech responsibilities. At Omni, Vikram and team are working on “Personalizing automation for the web”. Professionally Vikram’s work has been in web, cloud and machine learning technologies with a focus on making highly available, resilient and secure products. He is also a Google Cloud certified developer and architect. Vikram …
Jeff Nelson - Google (Developer Advocate)
Jeff is a Developer Advocate at Google Cloud based in Los Angeles. He has a background in data analytics and is passionate to enable developers of all abilities to use data to solve real-world problems. He enjoys blending storytelling with technology to teach analytics principles and practices to developers. Prior to Google, Jeff worked as a data engineer at a global systems integrator in the …
Vaishnavi Venkata Subramanian - Electronic Arts (Software Engineer)
I am a dedicated Software Engineer driven by a fervent passion for collaborative teamwork
and a staunch advocacy for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), neurodiversity, andaccessibility. My belief in the power of breaking down silos and fostering opencommunication fuels my conviction that teams can accomplish remarkable feats together.I have successfully revived …
Michelle Brenner - Netflix (Senior Software Engineer)
Michelle Brenner (she/her) is a Senior Software Engineer with 13 years of experience. She started in engineering support and now leads large-scale development projects. A Philadelphia native who currently calls Los Angeles home, she is an art school graduate and a self-taught engineer. During her career, she has most enjoyed creating software that enables others to succeed, from digital artist…
ChengCheng Tan - Cheng2 Designs LLC
ChengCheng Tan is the Founder and Managing Director at Cheng2 Designs LLC where she is focused on using large language models in AI safety. With over two decades of experience, ChengCheng has a strong background in AI/ML/NLP consulting, UI/UX research, design, and programming, with a focus on delivering customized solutions for clients. As a Google certified Tensorflow developer and Women Tech…
Moderator
Emily Anderson - Blue Shield of California (Application Developer / Programmer)
Emily has a background in social work and technology, making her uniquely qualified to translate and liaise between two groups with very different terminology and perspectives. She's heavily involved in the developer community as a Women Techmakers Ambassador - Culver City, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Columbia, SC & Twin Cities, MN Chapters and as GDG Organizer - Culver City, CA…
Hosted By
Marsha Swallow, GDG Organizer
A coding bootcamp graduate, when she's not hard at work as a startup technical project manager, Marsha is involved in the developer community both as a Google Developer Groups Organizer for Los Angeles, and also as a Google Women Techmakers Ambassador.
Her motto? Motivated by changing lives through technology. Learning new things everyday.
Matt Kaufman, GDG Organizer
Matt Kaufman founded MK Partners in 2006 to provide custom-tailored Salesforce solutions. He has over 25+ Salesforce certifications and two decades of experience as a Salesforce leader, author, and trainer.
Since 2012, he has volunteered as a community organizer for GDG Los Angeles and GDG Cloud San Fernando Valley. He's passionate about technology and using it to solve problems.
Emily Anderson, Senior Application Developer
Women Techmakers Ambassador -- GDG Organizer - Columbia, SC; Twin Cities, MN; Los Angeles, CA and Culver City, CA Chapters -- ⠀
Emily has a background in social work and technology, making her uniquely qualified to translate and liaise between two groups with very different terminology and perspectives. Emily intends to grow in her knowledge of information technology, application support, application development, and operations management. Emily's dream job would be to work for the Digital Public Library of America.
Mariam Hussain, Women Techmakers Ambassador
Mariam is a technology and diversity evangelist who's been in the technology space for 7+ years. She started her career in talent consulting and overtime transitioned into product marketing. Her digital skills are backed by certifications from MIT, Google, and IBM.
Mariam truly believes in the notion 'Empowered women, empower all' and her personal goal is to support 5000 women entrepreneurs, artists, and professionals in 2022. She champions several fem-led initiatives like Pakistani Women in Computing (PWiC), Young Women in Business Canada, and Women of Influence Canada to advocate for diversity and women leadership. Mariam is a certified coach for #IamRemarkable with an average workshop score of 4.8/5 and a Google WTM Ambassador for North America.
Jason Jones, GDG LA Team Member
I am a lifelong student with a love for learning. My ethos is immersed in the thrill of learning, leading, and having a positive net contribution to the world.
Siena Aguayo, Staff Android Engineer
Siena is a staff software engineer and team lead with experience in full-stack web and Android, currently working at Tapcart in Santa Monica. She is a co-organizer of GDG LA Android. A Los Angeles native, Pokémon master, and international public speaker, Siena enjoys playing video games, knitting, and studying Japanese. You can find her on Mastodon at @siena@androiddev.social
Michael Sim, GDG LA Android
Dhwani Vaishnav, Co Organizer
I am a seasoned professional with a decade of experience in the technology industry. As a graduate student specializing in Information Systems, I have combined my real-world insights with a deep passion for all things tech. My insatiable hunger for knowledge has led me to dive into emerging trends like Big Data and Business Intelligence, enriching my expertise in process development and system dynamics. Throughout my journey, I've not only cultivated technical prowess but also honed my leadership, mentorship, and collaborative skills, consistently adding value through teamwork and innovation.
Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-los-angeles-presents-devfest-2023-greater-los-angeles/.
