AI and Society

Build //localhost:Zürich **@Microsoft** *Join us in person at Microsoft offices (The Circle)!!* **RSVP Here: https://globalai.community/e/f06j3reb** **(meetup does not host any registration so register on the above link)** For the uninitiated — Build //localhost is a globally coordinated developer event series where builders, engineers, and AI enthusiasts gather locally to demo, discuss, and discover what's being built in their own backyard. Think: real talks, real demos, real conversations — no fluff. 𝗔𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 //𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗵𝗼𝘀𝘁:Zurich, 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁: ⚙️ Live technical sessions & hands-on demos 🤖 AI-first conversations with practitioners 🔗 Meaningful networking with Zurich's builder community 💡 Spontaneous ideas, collaborations, and maybe a few "𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁" moments **Agenda:** * **14:00 - 14:15** Welcome session * **14:15 - 14:45** Keynote - Latest and greatest about GitHub Copilot and AI Agents in the SDLC - Dominique Broeglin (Microsoft) * **15:00 - 15:30** Microsoft Agent Framework at Build: From Chatbots to Agentic Workflows - Jose Luis Latorre (Swiss Life) * **15:30 - 16:00** Talk 2 - Roundtable - Dr. Alexander Wachtel (ESC Deutschland) * **16:00 - 16:30** Break * **16:30 - 17:00** Microsoft IQ and the New Enterprise Context Layer - Dr. Alexander Wachtel (ESC Deutschland) * **17:00 - 17:30** Agents at scale - Bernhard Merkle (Blockbrain) * **17:30 - 18:00** Break * **18:00 - 18:30** From Aspire to Azure Container Apps: Building Secure Containers with SBOM and CVE Checks - Damien Bowden (isolutions) * **18:30 - 19:00** Endnote - Bring Copilot to your app: real integrations with Copilot SDK - Emanuele Bartolesi (Xebia) * **19:00 - 19:30** Closing & Networking (also a small apero) The event is held in English.

**Trust, but Sandbox** Agents are becoming more autonomous, are expected to work more independently, and are being granted greater privileges. They install tools as and when they need them. And they can access all files on the system, use the browser with existing cookies, and much more. How can we allow the agent to work while still maintaining control? The talk will present three methods for isolating coding agents and compare their advantages and disadvantages. First, I’ll outline the capabilities of a local agent and the risks that come with them. In a live demo, I’ll show just how simple sandboxing can be and how great it feels to switch to ‘YOLO mode’ without a second thought and let the agent work on his tasks. Finally, we’ll take a look at some practical features that a separate environment for agents can offer. **Michael Krämer** is working in software development for over 20 year and works as a Software Architect at INNOQ. He is very commited to work out component designs with clearly defined responsibilities and to find appropriate solutions for requirements. Besides that he is engaged in Machine Learning, the integration of ML models in production environments and works as a trainer for Software Architecture.

**Save-the-date** Details folgen

**Und was Unternehmen daraus über Sichtbarkeit, Kontrolle und Vertrauen in der KI-Welt lernen.** «Stöck, Wyys, Stich.» In der Schweiz weiss jeder sofort, was gespielt wird. Die grossen KI-Modelle kennen unser Kulturgut jedoch nur oberflächlich. Wo das Trainingsmaterial dünn ist, erfinden sie die Regeln mit voller Überzeugung. Dasselbe Problem hat fast jede Firma mit ihrem internen Fach- und Produktwissen. Remo Prinz zeigt, wie man durch strukturierte Daten Teil des KI-Training Korpus wird, verlässlich zitiert wird und dieses Fundament über ein autorisiertes Model Context Protocol (MCP) zu einer kontrollierten, vertrauenswürdigen Live-Quelle ausbaut. Ist es ausserdem möglich, ein Modell zu trainieren, das nicht nur perfekt jasst, sondern als geduldiger Mentor jeden Zug erklären kann? Ein Abend über Tradition, strukturierte Daten – und die Frage, wie Organisationen in der KI-Welt zur Quelle werden, der die Maschinen vertrauen.

**If your design feels right, how do you prove that it works?** Creatives are taught to trust their instincts, and rightly so. But intuition alone can leave your best work undefended in the room, and it cannot tell you whether a design actually changed anything. What looks better in a critique still needs to prove that it creates value in the real world. So, the real challenge is knowing what works, not just what looks good. In this keynote, **Mario Stipetic**, product designer, engineer, and product manager based in Zürich, introduces data-driven design as a practical way to use evidence without killing creativity. With over 14 years of experience designing and building SaaS web and mobile products end to end, including as Head of Product Design at a US-based fintech, Mario works at the intersection of design, product, and engineering. Join us on **June 30** as Mario shows, through real before-and-after case studies, how simple data can help teams test ideas, iterate faster, and build products people keep coming back to. **💡 What will you learn?** * Why creativity and data work best together, and how measurement helps you defend your design decisions * How simple methods like a 1–5 survey, a funnel, or a fake button can give you real proof without a big team or budget * How to set a clear hypothesis and one metric before you design, then measure before vs after * How to read what the data is telling you and turn it into sharper copy, visuals, flows, and product decisions *Connect with Mario* [LinkedIn](http://linkedin.com/in/mariostipetic) —— **📍 Where?** [Kulturhaus Helferei](https://maps.app.goo.gl/AJuPTcLTmihXxHyn9), near the Grossmünster in Niederdorf. \> Kirchgasse 13\, 8001 Zürich (Tram-Station Helmhaus) **📅 When?** Tuesday, June 30, 6:45 PM / 18:45 Uhr **⏰ What’s the schedule?** 6:30 PM → Doors open 6:45 PM → Keynote + Q&A 7:30 PM → Networking 🔗 **Discord** Get event reminders and connect with other members on Discord: ➡️ [discord.gg/PAyRBDhKkk](https://discord.gg/PAyRBDhKkk) —— **Who’s Visual Fields?** Visual Fields is a network of designers and creatives built for people to connect, support, and share with fellow experts. We have upcoming events in Zürich, Basel, and Luzern. [Check out upcoming events](https://www.visualfields.ch/) —— **Event policies** We have zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment. Be mindful not to make assumptions about gender, sexual orientation, or identity. Always ask for consent - for physical contact and work critique - and treat everyone and the space with respect. [All policies](https://www.joyed.com/experiences/ep) **Fine print (the friendly kind)** By joining, you agree that photos or videos taken at the event may be used by Visual Fields for promotional and communication purposes. See you there! 😇

A non-obvious English stand-up night with comics from Zurich and beyond. Expect loose ideas, polished bits, unexpected jokes, and laughter from places you don’t expect. **Tickets** on >> **[Eventfrog here](https://eventfrog.ch/jokes-jokes-jokes)** << Hosted by Swiss-based comedian **Łukasz Segiet aka Woocash ([@woocash.comedy](https://instagram.com/woocash.comedy))**, known for off-beat, unpredictable, vibe-driven comedy and a favourite among fellow comedians for his distinctive, non-obvious approach. He invites a lineup of friends and local comics to share the stage each edition. **Doors Open: 19:00** **Show Begins: 19:30** **Tickets** on >> **[Eventfrog here](https://eventfrog.ch/jokes-jokes-jokes)** <<

Anybody who wants to practice their programming skills is welcome. We share our ideas, learn from each other, do some exercise, ask questions, etc. This meetup is the best for those who want to improve their skills by programming and learning in a group If you want to learn more about our Co-Learning, please have a look at our website: [https://opentechschool-zurich.github.io/](https://opentechschool-zurich.github.io/) \*\*\* We have a chat group you can join to get more information: [https://app.element.io/#/room/#ots-zh:matrix.org](https://app.element.io/#/room/#ots-zh:matrix.org) (You need to create a free account if you don't already have one) Remote participants are also welcome. You first need to join the Element chat and then get into the video call that we start at around 19:00 (if we forget, pleas ping us in the Element chat!) \*\*\* Our main languages are Python and Javascript, but we welcome every programming languages. Some of the skills we can help you learning: * Python and * ... PyGame (Zero / Play) -.... Flask * ... Jupyter and data science -... PySide2 / PyQt * ... Shoebot * C++ and * ... Qt * ... cmake * ... and modern C++ * Flutter for Apps * PHP and * ... Vue.js * ... Wordpress * JS and React.js We have a few Github repository that can be interesting to browse:: https://github.com/opentechschool-zurich/

Two complementary takes on what actually decides whether AI delivers value in an organization. One on why role-based structures are the real enabler, the other on what happens to teams when AI starts resolving the tickets. Here's what's planned for the evening: 17:30 - 18:00 - Arrival and first drinks 18:00 - 18:45 - AI Value Creation Starts Beyond Technology by Ralf Günthner 18:45 - 19:30 - When the Bot Takes the Ticket: Keeping Teams Effective as AI Rewrites the Rules by Dagmar Muth 19:30 - 20:30 - Networking, Open Space & More drinks\* **AI Value Creation Starts Beyond Technology** Many companies are currently investing heavily in AI agents, copilots, and automation, yet the expected gains in productivity and innovation often fail to materialize. The reason is rarely technological, but structural: classic hierarchical organizational models are not designed to collaborate effectively with learning, adaptive systems. This keynote explains why role-based work is the decisive enabler for successful AI adoption. In role-based organizations, responsibilities are clearly defined, decision rights are decentralized, and collaboration is dynamically organized, exactly the conditions under which AI agents can deliver maximum value. Drawing on current research (including McKinsey, MIT CISR, and Harvard Business School) and practical examples from industry, mechanical engineering, and chemicals, the keynote shows how companies can combine AI agents with role-based structures to: * drastically shorten implementation timelines * increase acceptance and trust in AI * enable continuous optimization instead of one-off pilot projects * significantly improve the ROI of AI investments The core message: AI does not transform organizations, organizations determine whether AI creates impact. Those who invest today in role-based ways of working, shared leadership, and decentralized decision logic build the operational foundation to not only introduce AI, but scale it strategically. **Ralf Günthner** Ralf Günthner is a transformation expert, entrepreneur, and lecturer with over 25 years of experience in digital transformation, AI, IoT, and organizational development. In his keynotes, he shows why AI value creation does not emerge from algorithms, platforms, or tools, but from leadership, culture, decision-making logic, and effective collaboration. He combines deep technology expertise with systems thinking, neuroscience, and hands-on transformation work. As Co-CEO of Team-Factory GmbH, he supports companies in anchoring AI strategically, creating orientation, and delivering sustainable impact, beyond hype and technology fixation. **When the Bot Takes the Ticket: Keeping Teams Effective as AI Rewrites the Rules** AI agents are starting to resolve incidents, write code, and close tickets. That's great for throughput, but what happens to the humans in the team? Motivation, ownership, skill development, and psychological safety don't disappear as team development topics just because productivity metrics go up. In this talk, Dagmar Muth draws on her work with engineering and product teams navigating AI-driven transformation. She shares what it takes to make AI integration work for the whole team: how to preserve ownership and purpose, keep accountability clear, and build the patterns that distinguish teams that thrive from those that merely adapt. You'll leave with a clear mental model for thinking about team health in AI-augmented setups and concrete questions to bring back to your own team or organization. **Dagmar Muth** Dagmar Muth is a systemic organizational developer and agile coach with 20 years of experience guiding teams and companies through transformation. As a co-worker of pragmatic solutions ag in Zürich, she supports organizations in finding the right setup, processes, and culture to sustain performance from vision to go-live, increasingly in contexts shaped by AI. She works with cross-functional tech and product teams, coaches leaders, and lectures on agile project management at SIB. Her particular focus right now: how organizations integrate AI without losing what makes their teams actually work. Many thanks to our **sponsors**: * Catering Sponsor: **DevOpsDays Zürich** https://www.devopsdays.ch/ * Location Sponsor: **Digicomp** https://www.digicomp.ch/ \* contact us min. 3 days prior to the event if you prefer a vegan option.

We live in an age of unprecedented progress. Advances in medicine, technology, education, and human rights have given us opportunities and freedoms that previous generations could not even imagine. Yet, despite these achievements, many of us feel increasingly anxious, restless, exhausted, and overwhelmed. How can a society that has gained so much leave so many feeling depleted and always lonhing for more? The philosopher Byung-Chul Han argues that this is not a contradiction, but a defining **feature** of our time. In his book *The Burnout Society*, he suggests that the crisis of modern life stems not from **oppression**, prohibition, or negativity, but from an **excess of positivity**—the constant pressure to achieve, optimize, perform, and become more. Han captures this paradox in one of his most famous observations: *"The complaint of the depressive individual, 'Nothing is possible,' can only occur in a society that thinks, 'Nothing is impossible.'"* In a world where limitless possibility has become an expectation, failure, exhaustion, and inadequacy are increasingly experienced as personal shortcomings rather than social problems. Today, we will explore Han's diagnosis of the modern condition, why burnout has become so widespread, and what his philosophy reveals about a possible way out. **Preparation:** You can get a good introduction of the topic by watchin one of the below videos: [Why We're All Burning Out: Byung-Chul](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlRlWuEyt8E) [Achievment Society - Byung-Chul Han | Philosophize This](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm56nQ31kBk) **For Philosophical Minds Zurich theme events in general:** At our theme events, we begin with a brief topic introduction, followed by engaging discussions in small groups. It’s all about conversation, not just listening. Also, please note, we keep the atmosphere relaxed and informal—**there’s** **no pressure to speak in front of anyone**. **Important:** When you register for the event, please commit to it and don't be a NO SHOW. Presumably, when the ancient philosophers decided to go to an event, they kept to it.
 We look forward to seeing you. **Payment:** You can pay at the venue (Twint/Revolut/Cash). Thus, if you want to register at Meetup just click attend - no more needed ;). We look forward to seeing you.

### **Poolside Chats: Design, Research, Engineering & UX** Join us for a relaxed summer gathering at one of Zurich’s local Badis. This is a casual community meetup for designers, researchers developers, product managers, and other curious builders who enjoy thoughtful conversations, sharing ideas, and spending time outdoors. We’ll gather by the pool to discuss topics such as: * Passion projects * Design, technology, and product thinking * Ethical and responsible uses of AI * Creativity, learning, and experimentation * Personal philosophies and ways of working * Interesting questions about the future The format is intentionally informal. Feel free to join a conversation, listen, ask questions, or share something you’ve been exploring. Need a break? Take a swim, cool off, and come back with a fresh perspective or a new idea to discuss. This is not a recruiting event, job fair, or transactional networking meetup. While meaningful professional relationships may naturally develop over time, the purpose of the gathering is not to find clients, hire employees, or look for your next job. Instead, the goal is to create a welcoming space for genuine conversation, intellectual curiosity, and human connection. Bring your curiosity, a towel, and whatever ideas have been occupying your mind lately. \*Come to exchange ideas, not business cards.\*

Are you looking for a way to start your Sundays on the right foot? Look no further! Our weekly Sunday morning yoga class is the perfect way to energize your mind, body, and soul. This Sunday morning yoga class is designed to help you relax and find inner peace, leaving you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the week ahead on a positive note. In this class, you will experience a combination of physical postures, deep breathing and mindfulness that will help to reduce stress, improve your focus and concentration, boost your energy levels, and enhance your overall well-being. You will also develop greater body awareness, increase flexibility, and strengthen your muscles. The peaceful and calming environment will allow you to disconnect from the world and focus on your own well-being. This is the perfect opportunity to prioritize self-care and invest in your physical and mental health. The hybrid yoga class, both online and in-person, is for everyone. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned yogi, you'll benefit from this yoga class. I promise that you will feel much more relaxed, recharged and rejuvenated after this yoga class, 100% guaranteed :) Your contribution: 25 CHF (online live, first time 15CHF), 30 CHF (first time 15CHF, in the Yoga Studio at Oerlikon, Zurich). Note: We're excited to announce the new Referral Program! Share your love of yoga with your friends or colleagues and receive a free class for every referral who signs up. Plus, your friends can enjoy their first class for just 10 CHF. Please let me know which format (online or in-person) you like to join. See you on the mat :)

Discover the magic of Aerial Yoga - a practice that not only enhances flexibility and builds strength but also offers a unique way to relieve stress on the spine and alleviate lower back pain. The hammock gently supports your body, allowing for deeper stretches and decompression of the spine, making it an ideal practice for anyone seeking both physical and mental relief. **Why Join?** **\* Relieve Spinal Stress**: The anti-gravity nature of Aerial Yoga helps to decompress the spine, reducing tension and promoting spinal health. **\* Alleviate Lower Back Pain**: Experience gentle inversions that stretch and strengthen your back, providing much-needed relief from lower back discomfort. **\* Accessible to All Levels**: Whether you're new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, Aerial Yoga is adaptable and welcoming for everyone! **\* Boost Flexibility & Strength**: The hammock supports your body, enabling deeper stretches and enhanced core stability. **\* Stress Relief & Relaxation**: Unwind in a tranquil environment, letting go of the day’s stress as you float through the air. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today and embark on a journey to a healthier, happier you! ✨ Class in English // Open-level (beginners are all welcome :)) ✨ Props provided or bring your own ✨ Location: Zürich Oerlikon, Wattstrasse 3, 8050 Zürich ✨ Please contact me if you like to join to reserve the hammock / Registration via [Yoga Nest Eversports page](https://www.eversports.ch/s/yoga-nest-1) See you in the hammock :)

**[>Ticket needed<](https://link.social-circle.ch/x0RD)** Using your phone more intentionally starts with understanding why we reach out for our phones in the first place (*hint: it has nothing to do with your lack of discipline*). One moment you unlocked your phone to text a friend, and the next time you looked up, an hour has gone by. This workshop will be led by **Michelle**, a neuroscientist with **a PhD in the study of human emotions**. She's spent years researching why we feel what we feel, and strives to bring science into the room in a way that's warm, accessible, and useful. Join us to understand why you scroll, and what you can actually do about it. Grounded in neuroscience, this is a hands-on afternoon of self-reflection, group discussions, and practical tools you can use starting immediately. Join our craft group: **[https://link.social-circle.ch/Bbsq](https://link.social-circle.ch/Bbsq)** Want more events like this? Join our community! **[https://link.social-circle.ch/4kfX](https://link.social-circle.ch/4kfX)** No experience needed—just bring your curiosity and an open mind! Please note that pictures might be taken and used, if you don't want to be on them please let the host know. Tickets are not refundable.

Most people use LLMs by feel: ask a question, read the answer, decide whether it “seems good,” and move on. That works for casual use. It does not work when you are building software, automating workflows, writing important documents, or relying on AI for anything that needs to be repeatable. In this talk, we’ll look at how to improve and evaluate the inputs and outputs of LLMs using practical measurement techniques. We’ll cover how prompt changes affect results, how to compare outputs, how to build simple evaluation sets, and how math-based methods like similarity scoring can help you move beyond guesswork. This will be beginner-friendly, so even if you don't know anything about AI, you should get something out of it. However, this will be a little more technical than our intro talks. You do not need to be an AI researcher, but programmers and technically curious attendees will get a lot out of it. We’ll cover: * Why “it looks good” is not enough * How to improve prompts by changing the input, context, and constraints * How to compare LLM outputs more systematically * Basic evaluation techniques for accuracy, consistency, and usefulness * How embeddings, cosine similarity, and scoring can help evaluate results * Where automated evaluation works — and where humans still need to stay in the loop By the end, you’ll have a practical mental model for treating LLMs less like magic and more like systems you can test, measure, and improve. LOGISTICS AND PARKING: The talk starts at 7:00 PM. The first half hour is reserved for everyone to get set up and mingle. Free pizza and drinks! The cheapest parking option is to find street parking, which will only cost you a few bucks. Otherwise, park in the nearby veteran's museum lot for $8. It's highly recommended you avoid the nearby $15 garage parking.

This is an in-person meeting. At this meeting you will get answers to depression and anxiety. Find out the source of them and how to get rid of them. Did you know that unwanted emotions like anxiety, depression, unhappiness, loneliness, hopelessness, anger, fear, or feelings of irritation don’t just fall on you for no reason. They are not random occurrences that simply happen to people's minds. They are definitely not due to a chemical imbalance in your brain from some nebulous chemical reaction "by chance". Your negative emotions are the symptoms of the painful experiences that you have which are not healed, and which are still affecting you. The effects of these painful experiences are exacerbated by the pressures or difficulties of the other problems in your life. Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is created by the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation of Central Ohio and Church of Scientology of Central Ohio.

NFT's are here to stay folks! This is a group for like minded people interested in understanding, leveraging, using, creating for, profiting from, trading too i suppose, NFT's.. everything around them, complexity, fear and exploits, best practices and more. **PLUS** This group will talk AI ART tools, techniques, artists, video, audio, prototypes and more in the AI assisted production space- ART specifically, but we can get into any aspect of some of the cooler things happening in AI in general.

**Practical Curiosity: Learning from Everyday Data** How do we actually get better at utilizing our day-to-day data? Fancy dashboards and complex models might look nice and draw attention, but that’s not where most of us spend our time. In fact those shiny outputs frequently sit unused, while the real insights are drawn from the analyst’s daily practice. Sometimes it’s as simple and as powerful as noticing that a segment is shrinking, a channel is underused, or certain links keep getting all the clicks. There’s many different places that the spark of insight can come from, but you have to keep your head in the data and know where to look. In this session, we’ll explore real-world examples of how segmentation, testing, and click behavior can uncover practical digital marketing opportunities. You’ll leave with inspiration for your own use cases, along with a few simple ways to ask better questions, spot meaningful patterns, and make smarter decisions without overcomplicating it. **About Our Speaker:** [Elaine Armbruster](https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainearmbruster/) is a Director of Digital Experience at the [American Diabetes Association](https://diabetes.org/), where she focuses on using data and insights to create smarter, more effective digital experiences. A lifelong Columbus resident, she has built her career in email marketing and the broader digital user journey, and is finding she most enjoys working in the messy middle where systems, data, and big ideas don’t quite line up yet. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

Whether you're a big baseball fan or not, you might like the social twist we put on a Clippers game! $5.00 Fridays: Select small beers are $5! They also have your favorite hard seltzers and wine. **PREGAME**: Meet at ***Barley's Brewing on 467 N High Street***, just a few blocks east of the ballpark. **HAPPY HOUR** is 4-7pm with pregame specials and $4 pints! *At 7pm, we'll walk from Barleys to Huntington Field.* **TICKETS**: $10.00 at gate, purchase **STANDING ROOM ONLY**. **MEETUP**: We'll be near the Right Field bar stools/picnic tables. **RAIN?** Unless it's a thunderstorm or heavy rain, they play. We have a nearby plan B, indoors at Grandview Yard, if raining. **PARKING**: The garages near Nationwide will be busy with concert goers. *Find space in lots next to the ballpark (along W Nationwide Blvd) and near Crew Stadium. Short walk.* SRO (standing room only). These are the cheapest seats to purchase. WE WILL NOT BE STANDING much at all. The areas we land on have bar stools or picnic tables. There are also plenty of "lean on" along the first and third base line. Play ball!

We're planning a hands-on technical session focused on building AI solutions in ServiceNow - think skills, agents, and real-world use cases. If you’re curious about AI on the platform, RSVP now and stay tuned for more details. Let's build together!