Meetup #2 - Practical AI Development with Python, Ollama, LangChain & RAG

Curious about how AI applications can go beyond simple chatbots? On Thursday 10/04 at fromScratch Studio HQ in Thessaloniki, we’ll dive into practical AI development—showcasing how Python, Ollama, LangChain, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) can be used to build real-world AI applications.

In this hands-on session, Dimos Homatas will guide you through key concepts, tools, and workflows that enable AI-powered solutions, all while building a personal AI-powered photo library. Along the way, you’ll learn:

• How to run Large Language Models (LLMs) locally with Ollama.
• How LangChain helps orchestrate LLMs, agents, and tools in Python.
• Why vector databases and RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) are crucial for AI applications.
• How to embed and search images using AI.

About the Speaker

Dimos Homatas wrote his first lines of code at the age of 10, programming in BASIC on an Amstrad CPC 6128. Since then, he has worked across a wide range of domains—from legacy systems to cutting-edge technologies.

Currently, he is SVP at WeAre8, a social media platform, while staying true to his roots as a tinkerer and hobbyist, always exploring new personal projects. When he’s not coding, you’ll find him immersed in sci-fi books or headbanging to metal.

What to Expect

This 2-hour session is designed for software engineers, data scientists, and AI enthusiasts who want to get hands-on with modern AI development. You’ll follow an end-to-end process while working in Google Colab, learning key concepts like vector search, document embeddings, and chunking.

💻 A laptop is required for participation as this will be an interactive, code-along session.
🖼️ Participants must bring a collection of personal (or not) photos (at least 15) to use during the hands-on exercises.

By the end, you’ll have built your own AI-powered photo search tool and gained practical skills for working with LLMs beyond chatbot applications.

🍻 Stick around after the event for networking over beers! This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow AI enthusiasts, exchange ideas, and discuss what you've learned.

Who Should Attend

This event is for anyone interested in the real-world application of AI—whether you’re a professional, student, or AI enthusiast. Bring your curiosity, and your laptop with some basic Python knowledge, to dive into hands-on experiments.

Registration

We will meet from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at fromScratch HQ (Themistokli Sofouli 70Α). Don’t forget to RSVP to secure your spot!

Please note that all presentations and discussions will be conducted in Greek.

We look forward to seeing you there and exploring the world of AI together!