The Power of Reinforcement Learning

Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-cloud-calgary-presents-the-power-of-reinforcement-learning/.

Unlock the potential of Reinforcement Learning (RL) in this fast-paced, 60-minute masterclass. Moving beyond traditional data-crunching, Dr. Richard Zhao explores the world of "Learning by Doing." You will see how AI agents navigate complex environments, learn from trial and error, and solve problems that traditional programming cannot touch.

Key Takeaways:

The RL Advantage: Why "learning from rewards" is a game-changer for AI.

Agent Dynamics: A look at how AI mimics human trial-and-error.

Rapid Use Cases: Real-world applications in robotics, gaming, and optimization.

Accelerated 60-Minute Event Plan

To maximize the one-hour window, the session is designed to be lean, shifting quickly from theory to discussion.

Time

Segment

Focus

0:00 - 0:05

Quick Start

Opening by the TypeShift team; speaker introduction.

0:05 - 0:15

AI & ML Context

Brief overview of where RL fits in the broader AI landscape.

0:15 - 0:35

Core Presentation

Dr. Zhao on RL mechanics: Agents, Environments, and Rewards.

0:35 - 0:50

Applications & Why RL

Real-world examples and why this technology is trending now.

0:50 - 1:00

Rapid Q&A & Wrap

High-speed audience questions and closing feedback.

This is a hybrid event. Join the event virtually at https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-cloud-calgary-presents-the-power-of-reinforcement-learning/
or in person at

Platform - 407 9 Avenue Southeast, Calgary, AB T2G 2K7

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Agenda

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Speaker

Richard Zhao - University of Calgary (The Power of Reinforcement Learning)

Dr. Zhao is a highly decorated professor, and the acting co-department head at the department of Computer Science at the University of Calgary. Dr. Zhao has a deep expertise in machine learning and Al, and he is also the leader of the Serious Games Research Group at the University of Calgary.
Through his teaching, mentorship, and research initiatives, Dr. Zhao has played a key role in sh…

Hosted By

Antarpreet Singh, Platforms

Ben Nakaska, Technical Expert, Activation ᐳᐅ!DEVFESTYYC

Greg Bennett, Chapter Founder

Founder GDGYYC and Producer of DevFestYYC.
President & CEO, AIRIA Cloud Corp.

Jocelyn Phu, GDG Organizer, People Experiences

Jocelyn specializes in AI governance, digital equity, and inclusive policy development. She's a committed community builder working on modernizing public sector processes to ensure that technology benefits everyone.

Working on internal consulting projects in the public sector, she has introduced automated strategies, UX/UI principles, and digital literacy initiatives to help teams and internal clients better navigate the complexities of increasingly virtual spaces and evolving community needs. She focuses on designing practical, user-friendly systems that ensure AI is an enabler not a barrier.

A passionate advocate for public service transformation, Jocelyn works to promote policies that foster digital literacy, intellectual freedom, and equitable access to technology. She's always looking for more ways to simplify information retrieval and enhance the user experience, making sure that individuals, regardless of their tech background, can fully benefit from AI advancements.

Outside of work, she volunteered for initiatives that helped bridge gaps in access to educational resources for Albertans. Her past roles included serving on the boards of The Calgary Public Library and Alberta Library Trustees and chairing the Bow Valley College Creative Technologies working group. Most recently, she contributed to the planning of the 2023 and 2024 Google technology conferences (ᐳᐅ!DEVFESTYYC) and the Calgary Chapter's 2025 Google Women Techmakers International Women's Day conference.

Renato Niro, Director, Production ᐳᐅ!DEVFESTYYC

Rebecca Sharpe, Director, Operations ᐳᐅ!DEVFESTYYC

Sherry Yang, GDG Organizer, Women Techmakers Ambassador

Engineering leader by day, tech champion by night, Sherry Yang spearheads high-performing engineering teams at The Adaptavist Group. With over a decade of code mastery, she builds killer crews and fights for intersectionality in tech as a Women Techmakers Ambassador and Google Developer Groups Organizer. In her downtime, you might find her conquering mountains, exploring worldly flavours, or seeking for a cup of coffee – all ways to fuel her fire for innovation.