Product Management

**Topic: Engineering AI Agentic Systems: Decisions, Tradeoffs, and Production Reality** Agenda: 6:00 PM – Networking and refreshments 6:30 PM – Presentation commences 7:15 PM – Q&A 7:30 PM – Networking and refreshments 8:00 PM – Event concludes **Abstract:** Everyone can get an agent working in a weekend. Shipping one to production is a different problem. This talk is a systems engineering lens on agentic AI, starting from the moment a single LLM call becomes a decision loop through the architectural tradeoffs that determine whether it survives contact with reality. We'll cover the control spectrum between deterministic workflows and autonomous agent loops, multi-agent coordination, state management, and what a real control plane looks like beyond rate limiting and logging.We'll also cover the failure modes that don't appear in demos: runaway costs, missing stopping conditions, and observability gaps. You'll leave with a framework that treats human-in-the-loop design, model selection, and control plane engineering as first-class architectural decisions, because agentic systems are not prompt engineering problems. They are systems engineering problems.

Event Organizers Wanted for this group. Let us know what it is you wish to Organize from time to time. RSVP yes for this meetup or contact the groups Organizer.

The MLAI Meetup is a community for AI researchers and professionals which hosts monthly talks on exciting research. Our format is: * 6:00 - 6:20: Socializing * 6:20 - 6:40: Announcements and AI news * 6:40 - 7:40: Talk(s) and Q&A * 7:40 - 8:00 Networking * 8:00: Head to the nearest pub for dinner Joint event with the Statistical Society of Australia! **Felicia Bongiovanni: "Inferring Time of Infection Based on Antibody Data Through a Hierarchical Bayesian Framework"** **Abstract:** Time-since-event prediction is a powerful tool to reconstruct histories of an event. It is commonly used in biomedicine to predict the beginning of tumor growth, to predict how long ago someone was infected with a disease, and even to predict the time since death for criminal investigations. Inference through Bayesian statistics and mathematical modelling can allow for time-since-event prediction and provide insight into the mechanisms driving an event. Machine learning is also used for time-since-event prediction but lacks the mechanistic insight Bayesian inference can provide. However, Bayesian inference, especially through Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods, can be computationally expensive and time-consuming. In this talk, I describe a method for combining Bayesian inference with machine learning to improve computational efficiency while also maintaining mechanistic insight. This is demonstrated through the case study of estimating time-since-infection using antibody data. **Speaker bio:** Felicia is a PhD candidate at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research where she is conducting mathematical modelling of the immune response to understand more about infectious disease dynamics. In another life, she was a data analyst for the National Health Funding Body in Canberra through the Australia Bureau of Statistics Data Graduate Program.

Are you looking for an opportunity to learn more about Buddhism and meditation? Come and join us for our regular Buddhist meditation sessions every Tuesday. Every session will start with a short introductory and will be followed by a guided, 20 - 30 minute meditation. Feel free to join us after the session for some social time and questions and answers. The evening is free of charge, but donations are always welcome. More info can be found here: https://diamondway.org.au/centres/melbourne

Join us for a relaxed LinkedIn networking walk — a casual way to connect with others in a friendly way. This event is only open to people who have an active LinkedIn account. Whether you're working, studying, running a business, or figuring things out, you're welcome here. It's a great opportunity to grow your LinkedIn network and meet like-minded people. We ask that everyone comes with the intention to build genuine connections — not to pitch or sell. Please remember to RSVP to this event if you wish to attend. **Please note:** We won’t accept RSVPs from individuals who have previously breached our group guidelines. **Meeting Point:** Let's meet infront of Timeout at Fed Square at 7 PM. We will be at the meeting point till 7:10 PM before walking. We will finish the walk around 8:30 PM at Fed Square. Please don't be late. Map: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/CnfUeKQ4XQZwkbrb8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/CnfUeKQ4XQZwkbrb8) **Total Walking Distance:** 4km, Easy, mostly flat Cost: FREE Please follow me on LinkedIn for updates: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheolsu](https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheolsu) Explore Melbourne is the largest meetup group in Australia with more than 43,000 members. We know these group rules won’t suit everybody, and that’s okay—there are many other groups where you might feel more at home. To keep things safe, fun, and positive, we have 8 simple rules for people attending our events. Over the past 9 years, we’ve removed 342 people (around 0.8%) for breaking them—so please read carefully! ❌ Not a dating group! – We’re here to make connections, not find soulmates. 📵 No phone numbers, please! – Feel free to swap LinkedIn if both parties are cool with it, but please don’t share or ask for phone numbers. Please don’t add people to WhatsApp or other groups. 🔞 Our events are only open to people aged 18 and older. 📢 Please do not advertise other events or groups. 🚗 We don't allow carpooling due to safety incidents/our public liability insurance not covering motor related accidents. 💰 **No sales pitches! – No selling, no MLMs, no pyramid schemes, no “life-changing mentorship” offers—let’s keep things scam-free.** By joining an event, you agree to follow these rules. Breaking them means removal from all our groups—no exceptions. Thank you! **Liability Waiver:** The organizer of this group cannot accept any liability for any loss, damage, injury, or accident to participants or their property at this event. By participating in this event, you're taking responsibility for your safety and well-being. By joining this event, you agree to the liability waiver mentioned here: [https://exploremelbourne.au/explore-melbourne-liability-waiver/](https://exploremelbourne.au/explore-melbourne-liability-waiver/ "https://exploremelbourne.au/explore-melbourne-liability-waiver/")

Come talk maths over a drink or two and maybe a meal. If you have any mathsy puzzles, games or toys, bring 'em along. There'll be a puzzle sheet to solve if you wish, but it's not competitive. No maths background necessary, all welcome. Email melbourne@mathsjam.com to join our mailing list for monthly puzzle sheets. The event is very informal so don't worry if you can't arrive exactly at 7:30pm or have forgotten to RSVP (but please do RSVP if you can!).

Join us this month for a panel with PMs who have experience shipping and working daily with Ai. Bring your stories and questions as there will be plenty of time for Q&A. **Our Panel** * [Daragh Kan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/daraghkan/) \- Head of Product at Cuttable * [Dave Slutzkin ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveslutzkin/)\- Co\-founder and CEO at Cadence * [Melissa Cupples](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcupples/) \- Head of Product \(AI & Automation\) Doors 6pm Start 630pm Thanks to our fabulous hosts for our location **InvestorHub.** [InvestorHub](https://www.linkedin.com/company/invhub/) is a Melbourne-based scale-up with the mission to make being listed a superpower. Our software allows listed companies in Australia and the UK to manage their end-to-end investor relationships, from their investor-facing website, a detailed investor CRM, analytics, and more. We're [hiring](https://investorhub.pinpointhq.com/) for Product Managers, Product Designers, Engineers and more right now! If you're interested in co-sponsorship please let us know. Some beverages will be provided but right now it's BYO food.

* **Topic:** Journey to Open Lakehouse * **Date:** Thursday 23rd April 2026 at 6.00 pm - 8.00 pm * **Networking:** 6 pm - 6.30 pm and 7.20 - 8 pm * **Presentation Time**: 6.30 pm - 7.20 pm *(includes welcome, presentation 30 mins & community marketplace)* * **Location:** Thoughtworks HQ Level 35/360 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000 * **Ticket:** Free of cost, however, registrations and RSVP are required! * **Sponsor:** Thoughtworks **Journey to Open LakeHouse** This session explores the practical realities of migrating to an Apache Iceberg lakehouse to reduce analytics costs and minimise vendor lock-in. We’ll cover architecture choices, migration pitfalls, operational lessons, and the measurable outcomes of adopting open table formats. Ideal for data engineers, platform teams, and architects evaluating the next evolution of their data stack. **About The Speaker** Karel Alfonso is a Software Engineer with experience working with reputable organisations, including Block and Thoughtworks. He studied in Havana before moving to Australia around twenty years ago, where he has built a strong track record in software delivery, distributed systems, data platform engineering, real-time streaming, and technical leadership. Karel is known for his collaborative, friendly approach and is highly regarded within the data engineering community. He has presented at FlinkForward Seattle 2023, Programmable 2023, 2024 and other community meetups. We’re excited to bring the Data Engineering Melbourne Meetup group together for an evening with Karel and his insights!

Thanks again to MinterEllison, who host the amazing space we meet in each month. **Session Details:** * **Date & Time:** 6:00pm AEDST, Fourth Wednesday of each month * **Format:** Virtual session on Teams * **Agenda:** * 6-6:30 pm networking * 6:30-7:45pm exploration of the topic * 7:45-8pm wrap up * 8pm dinner for those interested. KMLF has run monthly, almost uninterrupted since 1998, serving the Victorian Knowledge Management community with close ties to Change Mgt, Records Mgt, Information Governance and Academic communities.

**Melbourne Python's Meetup April 2026!** Join Melbourne’s Python community for another night of learning, sharing, and connecting. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been coding in Python for years, our monthly meetup is the perfect place to learn something new and connect with fellow developers. This group is for developers, data scientists, web programmers, and anyone passionate about Python. 📅 **When:** 5:30 PM, Thursday, April 23, 2026 📍 **Where:** Judo Bank, Queen and Collins Building Level 26/376-390 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia 👉 [https://maps.app.goo.gl/A9JQTYGrMqGn8AzAA](https://maps.app.goo.gl/A9JQTYGrMqGn8AzAA) **Note:** The entrance is next to Rustica Cafe. Press level 26 when you arrive, and you'll find us there! **Agenda for the Evening** **5:30 - 6:00 PM**: Networking **6:00–6:10 PM** : Welcome and logistics 🎉 **6:10–6:35 PM** - **Talk 1:** Geoff Matheson - Learning Specialist Heathmont College/Digital Technologies Subject Matter Expert at Department of Education on Streamlit in the Secondary Classroom. In this session, Geoff will share his experience using Streamlit and GitHub Codespaces to teach Python to Year 10 and VCE Data Analytics Year 12 students, covering what made it work, the obstacles to watch out for, and how quick-reward tools can drive engagement in secondary education. **6:35–6:45 PM**: Break – Connect with someone new! **6:45**–**7:45 PM** - **Talk 2:** **EMPLOYER'S PANEL.** HR staff from some of the city's biggest Python companies will be taking questions about the Python job market here in Melbourne: We've got Bureau of Meteorology for science and government, MYOB and JudoBank for data/finance, and Kogan for ecommerce. Here's your chance to ask anything you've been wanting to know. **8:00 PM**: Event concludes 🌟 **Special Thanks** 🌟 A huge shoutout to our sponsors **Judo Bank**, **AWS** and **Neo4j** for making this meetup possible. Your support means the world to us! **Interested in Speaking or Sponsoring?** We’d love to hear from you! Email us at **melbournepython@gmail.com** or fill out our speaker interest form at https://forms.gle/S5T1SL4ULY5aogf47. We can't wait to celebrate Python and the incredible Melbourne community with you. See you on April 23! 🎉

The discussion topic for this meetup will be identity and whether or not history is a necessary condition for consciousness as Dretske proposed. James

We all recognize that if things were better organized, people would be better off. We have all had experiences with a business or government, school or a group that was not well organized and we experience the confusion, delays and upsets of trying to deal with disorganization. On a personal level, trying to get something started - a plan, some new bright idea you had, perhaps starting a new business - without organization can be a nightmare. Organization is a key and often missing factor in personal success. It is also essential for a flourishing family, group, organization or business. Attaining one's goals, no matter how large or small, requires a knowledge and application of organization.

Spec-driven development flips the traditional workflow on its head: instead of code being the source of truth, the specification becomes the backbone of design, collaboration, and delivery. In this session, we’ll explore how GitHub Spec-Kit enables teams to treat specifications as first-class artifacts—living documents that drive architecture, implementation, and verification. You’ll learn how Spec-Kit helps teams clearly express intent using structured, version-controlled specs that live alongside code. We’ll walk through a practical workflow that starts with defining system behavior and constraints, then progressively refines those specs into testable, automatable outcomes. Along the way, we’ll show how specs can reduce ambiguity, improve cross-functional collaboration, and make design decisions explicit before a single line of production code is written. This talk will cover: --What spec-driven development is (and what it isn’t) --How GitHub Spec-Kit fits into modern developer workflows --Using specs to align product, engineering, and AI-assisted development --Real-world examples of turning specs into implementations with confidence Whether you’re building greenfield systems, integrating AI into your stack, or trying to reduce costly rework, spec-driven development offers a scalable way to move faster without sacrificing clarity. Attendees will leave with concrete patterns and a clear mental model for adopting GitHub Spec-Kit in their own projects.

Join us for an evening of deep product insights and conversation with Steve Johnson, CEO of Product Growth Leaders. Most product managers aren’t struggling because they lack frameworks, data, or AI tools. They’re struggling because they’re talking to the wrong people. Instead of learning directly from customers, they rely on second-hand input—sales requests, executive opinions, support tickets, dashboards, and now AI-generated summaries of all of it. The result? Noise. Misalignment. And products that look good on paper but miss the market. AI can process more data than you ever will—but it can’t replace direct human understanding. It can’t see hesitation. It can’t hear what’s not being said. And it certainly can’t build trust with a customer who doesn’t believe you yet. That’s where product managers have an advantage—if they choose to use it. In this session, you’ll learn how Customer Conversations cut through the noise and become your most powerful differentiator. Not as a research technique, but as a leadership behavior that builds market insight, credibility, and better decisions. Through real stories and practical methods, you’ll learn how to: • Talk to the right people at the right time in the product lifecycle • Ask questions that uncover real problems • Validate ideas before you build them Because in a world where AI can generate answers at scale, the product manager who understands customers firsthand becomes the one who asks better questions—and makes better decisions. AGENDA 6:00 - 6:30 pm: Welcome and Registration. Refreshments provided. 6:30 - 7:00 pm: Talk by Steve Johnson (CEO at Product Growth Leaders) 7:00 - 7:15 pm: Q&A 7:15 - 8:00 pm: Networking ABOUT THE SPEAKER Steve Johnson is a product success coach focused on removing the chaos from product planning. He uses modern methods to guide product teams from idea to market in only a few weeks. Steve has trained tens of thousands of product professionals in his career. He is a former instructor and vice president at Pragmatic Institute and the chief architect of the popular Quartz Open Framework.

We invite you to an in-person session in Seattle exploring the real impact of AI on knowledge-driven industries — from shifting economics and the disruption of traditional SaaS and consulting models to where organizations can still build lasting competitive advantage. As AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini continue to redefine how work gets done, organizations face a critical question: how can they adapt, remain competitive, and create lasting value? We’ll discuss practical strategies for integrating AI while preserving human expertise, along with actionable approaches to upskilling teams for an AI-driven workplace. Drawing on real-world experience from training thousands of professionals and deploying AI solutions, this session will provide clear, applicable insights for today’s evolving landscape. Following a short presentation, the session will open into an interactive discussion where attendees can share perspectives and explore key questions around the evolving role of humans, organizational adaptation, and staying competitive in an AI-first world. **Who should attend:** • Executives and managers in SaaS, consulting, and knowledge-driven organizations • Professionals exploring AI upskilling and workforce transformation • Anyone interested in the future of AI and knowledge work 📍 **Location:** Data Science Dojo, 5010 148th Ave NE, Suite 200A, Redmond, WA, United States 🔗 **Google Maps:** [https://lnkd.in/d8WA-yNc](https://lnkd.in/d8WA-yNc) **💻 Online Access:** A livestream will be available for those unable to attend in person; however, the full interactive experience is reserved for in-person participants.

**IMPORTANT! Please register on [Luma page](https://luma.com/klm98cuc)** *Ignore the displayed time — it’s 5:30pm VA time.* AI is making us faster than ever — and at the same time, quietly questioning our place at work. ​We’re all feeling it: tools that boost output in minutes, automate entire workflows, and sometimes… do the job better. So where does that leave the human? ​This conversation dives straight into that tension — no sugarcoating, no generic optimism. Just real perspectives from people working inside the shift. ​ **Speakers:** [Nina Borysova, MBA ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nborysova/?utm_source=luma)**Director, Product Management Technical (PMT), Data Analytics and AI Solutions, Mastercard** **​**[Dr. Volodymyr Tkach ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/volodymyr-tkach/?utm_source=luma) CEO \| Ph\.D\, Associate Professor \| MIT Research Fellow \| Cybersecurity\, Threat Intelligence\, Anomaly Detection\, Artificial **​We’ll unpack:** ​– where AI actually boosts productivity vs. where it replaces thinking ​– which roles are evolving — and which are quietly disappearing ​– how teams are restructuring around AI (and what that means for individuals) ​– how to stay valuable when execution becomes automated ​– what “creative work” even means when AI can generate ideas on demand ​– the psychological side: anxiety, denial, adaptation ​If you’re feeling both excited *and* uneasy about AI — you’re not alone. And you probably shouldn’t ignore either feeling. ​Come for clarity. Leave with a more honest map of what’s ahead.

Important: Register on [AICamp website](https://www.aicamp.ai/event/eventdetails/W2026043014) is required for admission. **Description:** Join us for a community-led developer event focused on AI-assisted coding with GitHub Copilot. This event brings together developers to explore practical workflows, real-world use cases, and hands-on experiences using GitHub Copilot. Whether you are new to GitHub Copilot or already using it, this event will help you better understand how to apply AI-assisted coding techniques in everyday development. **Speakers/Topics:** \- Reynald Adolphe\, Microsoft\. Stay tuned as we are updating speakers and schedules. If you have a keen interest in speaking to our community, we invite you to submit topics for consideration: [Submit Topics](https://forms.gle/JkMt91CZRtoJBSFUA) **Sponsors:** We are actively seeking sponsors to support AI developers community. Whether it is by offering venue spaces, providing food, or cash sponsorship. Sponsors will not only speak at the meetups, receive prominent recognition, but also gain exposure to our extensive membership base of 5,000+ AI developers in D.C and 500K+ worldwide.

**Meet Shannon Eastwood and Paul Maguire - Product Design & Launch** Interested in product inventions? Do you have a concept in mind, one that needs to be prototyped? Should you create a new venture, or license it for another firm to commercialize it? Join the conversation... **Shannon Eastwood** is a human-centered strategist with more than 20 years of industry experience, including Corporate Strategy, Brand Management, Product Development, UXUI Design, Product Strategy, Technical Design, Global Sourcing & Project Management. Shannon holds a Master's of Product Innovation from the da Vinci Center at Virginia Commonwealth University alongside a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance from VCU School of the Arts. Shannon is a relentless advocate for Social Justice and Human Rights. She believes in the power of change for good and believes that each of us as individuals has the ability to design our collective future. Beyond the boardroom, Shannon is a Yoga teacher and is the CEO and Founder of [Our Lotus Society](https://www.ourlotussociety.com/), a lifestyle brand dedicated to making Yoga accessible to everyone. Shannon is a mother, an auntie, an animal lover, and is never afraid to take bold leaps for the sake of progress and creativity. She has studied in Italy, Romania, England, and Nicaragua and is a lifelong world traveler. [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-eastwood-4b48b48a/) **Paul Maguire** is a product development engineer and innovation leader, with manufacturing and supply chain experience. He explains, “I am an Open Innovation advocate, and I am passionate about helping product developers of all sizes along the path to their success with new products and businesses. I use my foundation in Plastics Engineering and manufacturing as a springboard to turn dreams into reality.” Maguire has spent over twenty years working directly with factories in U.S. and Asia. “Products that I have worked on have sold in excess of 100 Million units.” Maguire holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Massachusetts and attended Design Thinking and Master of Management courses at Cambridge College and Harvard University. At Adept Product Solutions, Maguire has shared his passion and experience in product development and manufacturing to help entrepreneurs create prototypes. He leverages deep expertise in Product Development, Manufacturing, Quality Management and, Supply Chain. Magurie also served on the Board of Directors of VINE, the Virginia Innovators Network, promoting small innovators in central Virginia. [LinkedIn Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauldmaguire "https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauldmaguire") **The Discussion.** This series of hybrid events is perfect for budding entrepreneurs, experienced executive mentors cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset, early-stage investors, and students exploring innovative product design. At each session, business founders serve as guest speakers share about their career, their firm's business model, as well as the successes and challenges in the product development process. Participants learn from the speakers’ experiences, discuss valuable insights, and connect with other entrepreneurs, students, faculty, and investors. **Logistics.** A light lunch is served, as entrepreneurs connect with one another, learn from peers, and contribute to the conversation: * Friday, April 24, 2026 * 11:30am EST - Coffee & Connection * 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST - Presentation & Discussion No pre-registration is required. Join us: Robins School of Business 102 UR Drive, iLab Room 123 University of Richmond, VA 23173 **Parking.** Free parking is available in the U5 and U6 lots immediately adjacent to the Robins School. Please enter the main foyer, turn to the left and proceed to room 123 (EY Innovation Lab) on the ground floor. Please note that visitors have a two-hour parking window. Please sign in when you enter the room, providing your license plate number. **On Zoom Webinar:** https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89608419334?pwd=am0F9r85xPfh7aBaxtdUDILYsvNAwJ.1

This training is designed for real estate agents who want to learn how to play the Agent Investor game. The goal of this training is to help you flip your income into ownership. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ **Inventory is the lifeblood of every market.** **And whoever controls inventory controls the opportunities, the buyers, and the leverage.** How to Generate a Steady Stream of Motivated Sellers teaches you a focused, repeatable system to consistently find and serve motivated sellers—without chasing random lead-gen tactics or relying on luck. Motivated sellers create multiple pathways: traditional listings, cash offers, creative solutions, rental opportunities, and investor deals. When you know how to help people in distress, you create impact and income at the same time. In this session, you’ll learn the core framework for building predictable motivated seller opportunities using ZONE: * Zero in on your target * Own the mindshare * Nurture the list * Expand your influence You’ll also learn the highest-probability seller funnels, including: * Pre-foreclosures (homeowners who need real help and clear options) * Absentee owners / tired landlords (10+ years ownership, deferred maintenance, vacancies, tax pressure) We’ll walk through the exact steps to build your first seller ZONE: get the list, segment it, create messaging, call the list, market weekly, build relationships—and control inventory. You’ll also get a proven seller message that converts because it offers real options: * 24-hour cash offer (speed + convenience) * traditional listing (maximum price) * renovate now, pay at settlement (maximize equity with zero upfront cost) This positions you as a problem solver, not a salesperson—and one strong seller ZONE can feed your business for years. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ **Did you miss it?** [Watch all GRID Reston event playback on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOTh5kxLLJI1G3VH6Pqhlhu0uTA8yrdpi) ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ **Join the GRID Facebook Community** [Join the online GRID community here](https://www.facebook.com/groups/gridinvestor) to post deals, ask questions, and connect with other investors across the globe.