Python I/O performance, AI/LLMs, and a Journey

Want to learn more about Python and meet other Pythonistas?

Please register here: https://ti.to/sfpython/jan-8th-sf-python-sentry

👉 Submit your 5, 15 or 25 mins talk proposals here: https://bit.ly/sfpython-cfp

SCHEDULED TALKS

🔎 Lightning talk (5 mins)
My Python Journey: From Machine Learning to Full-Stack
Presenter: Astha Thakur

🔎 Short talk (~15 mins + Q&A)
Prompt engineering & social justice: what we know so far
Presenter: Tilde Thurium
Abstract: Large language models are only as good as the data we feed into them. Unfortunately, we haven't quite dismantled racism, sexism, and all the other -isms just yet. Given the imperfect tools that we have, how can we write LLM prompts that are less likely to reflect our own biases? In this session, Tilde will review current research about LLM prompt engineering and bias, including practical examples. You'll leave with some ideas that you can apply as both users and builders of LLM applications, to iterate towards a more equitable world.
Bio: Tilde Thurium is a Senior Developer Educator at LaunchDarkly. Ask them about how to paint an algorithm, the intersections between mutual aid and biology, or which coast has the best vegan croissants.

🔎 Short talk (~15 mins + Q&A)
Issue Resolution in Python
Presenter: Tillman Elser
Abstract: Tillman Elser from Sentry will be showing Autofix, a new generative AI tool designed to speed issue resolution in Python.
Bio: Tillman Elser is an Engineering Manager at Sentry.

🔎 Main talk (~25 mins + Q&A)
Journey to the center of `read()`
Presenter: Cody Maloney
Abstract: Python code reads data and configuration with `pathlib.Path().read_text()` and a family of friend functions. In this talk we’re diving to understand what, and critically why, the CPython `io` library and its implementations do what they do. Batteries included, we’ll be spelunking through the design, engineering, and implementation of just one function, `read()` inside Python’s I/O subsystem.
Bio: Cody has been trying to speed up common Python I/O patterns for CPython 3.14 over the past couple of months. Each attempt to evolve the code has lead to new discoveries about what the `io` library does and why it differs from the speaker’s mental model coming from C++ systems programming. The speaker enjoys exploring systems to understand how they work and learn how to evolve them.

AGENDA
6:30p Reconnect with friends!
7:00p Opening remarks, sponsor acknowledgement
7:10p Scheduled talks and Q&A + networking break
8:30p Wrap up last talk, more networking

THIS EVENT IS PRODUCED BY
SF Python, a volunteers-run organization aiming to foster the Python Community in the Bay Area