Workshop: Bringing AI to Java: from Function Calls to Context-Aware Applications

AI is rapidly moving from experimental prototypes to reliable components of modern software systems. For Java developers, the challenge is no longer if AI can be integrated, but how to do it effectively—bridging the gap between traditional enterprise architecture and the dynamic, context-driven world of Large Language Models (LLMs).

This session explores how LLMs and orchestration frameworks like LangChain4J can be leveraged in Java applications using function calling, tool integration, and the Model Context Protocol (MCP). We’ll look at how these concepts transform AI from a conversational assistant into a predictable, composable system component.

The discussion will cover:
The principles of LLM function calling and how context transforms AI responses from “guesses” into deterministic operations.
How to integrate AI workflows into Java backends using Quarkus and modern APIs.
The trade-offs, pitfalls, and real-world lessons learned while building production-ready AI-assisted tooling.

This is a workshop-style session designed for both hands-on participants and observers. If you plan to explore the code examples on your own machine, please ensure your laptop has at least 32 GB of RAM, as AI workloads are not lightweight.
Join us to discover how AI can become a practical and dependable part of Java-based systems—empowering developers to build applications that are not just intelligent, but contextually aware and operationally sound.

Bio
With over 25 years of experience in IT, Andras Fejes has worked across diverse business domains, including finance, public transport, telecommunications, media, bioinformatics, and more. He is highly skilled in Java technologies, with deep expertise in Spring Boot, WildFly, Quarkus, and Java/Jakarta EE. Currently, Andras is a Software Engineer at LivePerson, where he focuses on building real-time, cloud-based services using Spring Boot, Kafka, and Cassandra. He’s passionate about creating high-performance, scalable solutions and exploring the latest innovations in cloud-native development.

Location
For the first time, the Technische Hochschule Mannheim will be our host. Thanks a lot for this opportunity! We also welcome all interested students!

Eine Veranstaltung des iJUG e.V..