Name: How AI Can Help Platform Engineers Build Better Platforms + Networking and Swag
Start: 2025-06-10T22:30:00.000Z
Location: 4205 S Miami Blvd

We're thrilled to be back at Fidelity Investments in Durham for our May meetup! We were last onsite in April of 2023 and it was a truly wonderful experience.

The topic this month is a really good one - **AI 3-in-1: Agents, RAG, and Local Models**. \*Please note, the topic originally scheduled for this meetup was **How AI can help Platform Engineers build better platforms** focusing on Kubernetes and cloud-native infrastructure. That topic and speaker (Carlos Santana of AWS) will be featured at the June meetup taking place Tuesday evening, June 10 at IBM.

**Doors will officially open at 5:30 pm for networking and food and beverages, live programing begins at 6:30 pm ET sharp**. We'll begin the evening with a few community announcements, then we'll quickly move to our speaker.

\*Our speaker, Brent Laster, will also be signing and giving away a limited number of his book “[Learning GitHub Actions](https://www.amazon.com/Learning-GitHub-Actions-Automation-Integration/dp/109813107X/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1 "https://www.amazon.com/Learning-GitHub-Actions-Automation-Integration/dp/109813107X/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1")” at this event.

**Registration and Government ID Required**
Please note, security protocols onsite require everyone attending to register ahead of time using your first and last name as it appears on your government ID. **\*Note, by RSVP'ing for this meetup on Meetup.com you are "registering" for the event.**

**You'll need to bring that ID with you to the event.**

Upon entry you will be directed to a table where your id will be checked and you will be given your pre-registered nametag and you will be escorted into the event space. This will help speed you through the lobby and get you to the food, swag, and content without delay.

**Venue Location & Directions:**
Location: Fidelity Investments, Durham, NC
[[https://goo.gl/maps/VGu89aYsn8qt5xqa6](https://goo.gl/maps/VGu89aYsn8qt5xqa6)](https://goo.gl/maps/VGu89aYsn8qt5xqa6)
If you enter “Select Dr, Durham, NC” into your navigation it will take you to the parking lot access road and then just follow the signs to Visitor parking and then to the building we will be meeting in. Once you have arrived at the Guest Parking area, proceed to the large building on the left.

**Parking:** [[https://goo.gl/maps/VGu89aYsn8qt5xqa6](https://goo.gl/maps/VGu89aYsn8qt5xqa6)](https://goo.gl/maps/VGu89aYsn8qt5xqa6)

**Speaker:** Brent Laster - President & Lead Trainer, Tech Skills Transformations LLC

**Talk Title:** AI 3-in-1: Agents, RAG, and Local Models

**Abstract:**
Learning and understanding AI concepts is satisfying and rewarding, but the fun part is learning how to work with AI yourself. In this presentation, author, trainer, and experienced technologist Brent Laster will help you do both! We’ll explain why and how to run AI models locally, the basic ideas of agents and RAG, and show how to assemble a simple AI agent in Python that leverages RAG and uses a local model through Ollama.

No experience is needed on these technologies, although we do assume you do have a basic understanding of LLMs.

This will be a fast-paced, engaging mixture of presentations interspersed with code explanations and demos building up to the finished product – something you’ll be able to replicate yourself after the session!

**Questions?** Contact us at **info@allthingsopen**.

All Things Open RTP Meetup

Todd Lewis

Alvin

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Chandru

John Ruppel

Kordula Toribio

Jonathan P

Jack YAPI

Chelsea Wood

Rich Niemi

David Fergen

Ameaza Rodrigues

Brian C Newman

Jeffrey Stines

Tate

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Armon Rahgozar

Nick Ferrara

Damien Gu

Tom Damron 

AI 3-in-1: Agents, RAG, and Local Models - Networking + Swag

Fidelity Investments

Our June meetup will be a good one! The topic and speaker are both sensational and are sure to draw a crowd.

The topic: **How AI can help Platform Engineers build better platforms** focusing on Kubernetes and cloud-native infrastructure. The speaker: Carlos Santana, Cloud Solutions Architect at AWS. \*Note, this topic and speaker were originally scheduled for May 6, but we had to move them due to a scheduling conflict that arose.

Host venue will be IBM's RTP campus, a wonderful location with plenty of capacity and parking. Food and beverages will be served and really cool swag will be available.

**Doors open at 6:00 pm ET for networking. Live programming begins at 6:30 pm sharp.**

**\*Note, this meetup is FREE to attend and participate, as always.**

**Location and Address:**
IBM
Building 500, Room G-104
4205 S Miami Blvd
Durham, NC 27703
*\*Questions regarding venue can be directed to Sahdev directly at 336-254-1689.*

**Directions:**
1). Enter IBM campus from Miami Boulevard and Cornwallis Road,
2). Follow signs for IBM Software Group Main Lobby B500 and take third left (DEVELOPMENT LANE) toward Main Lobby 500.
3). Park into the **Visitor Parking lot** which is in the front of the B500. You will be escorted from the building entrance/lobby.

**Speaker:** Carlos Santana, Cloud Solutions Architect, AWS

**Talk Title:** How AI can help Platform Engineers build better platforms

**Abstract:**
While much attention has focused on AI's impact on application development, this talk explores how platform engineers can leverage AI to revolutionize Kubernetes and cloud-native infrastructure. We'll examine how AI tools can automate complex configuration management, enhance observability, streamline vulnerability remediation, and optimize resource utilization in containerized environments—all while reducing cognitive load for both platform teams and their users. Through practical examples, attendees will discover how AI can serve as a powerful ally in creating more resilient, secure Kubernetes platforms that truly accelerate organizational innovation.

**Questions?** Contact us at **info@allthingsopen**.

Thad Parker

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Tanya C

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cdoran

Jared Bailey

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Jonathan Springer

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Abhi

Stacey Dale

Rupali Patil

Tina Wilson

How AI Can Help Platform Engineers Build Better Platforms + Networking and Swag

4205 S Miami Blvd

All Things Open RTP and Open Source South Carolina

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