Business News and Politics

**From Pilot to Production:** **Why Most AI Projects Die — and What the 10% Do Differently** Everyone is running AI pilots. Almost nobody's getting them to production. This second AI Transformers meetup, in cooperation with **[Emplifi](https://emplifi.io/)**, focuses on what actually happens between “we tried it” and “it runs our business” — the organizational blockers, data gaps, budget battles, and change management challenges that determine whether AI initiatives succeed or stall. We’ll bring together real stories from people who shipped and people who failed, to explore what separates the few AI projects that make it to production from the many that don’t. *** **Theme: From Pilot to Production** We’ll discuss questions like: * Why do so many AI pilots fail to scale? * What are the biggest blockers between experimentation and production? * How do data, governance, and organizational readiness affect success? * What do the most successful AI teams do differently? * How can companies turn AI ambition into real business value? ### **Format** Short lightning talks followed by a moderated panel discussion and networking — focused on practical lessons, real-world experience, and honest conversations about what it takes to move AI into production. **Speakers** Leaders and practitioners from different size companies sharing concrete examples. **[Ohad Hecht](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohadhecht/) –** CEO at Emplifi **[Petra Lovčinská](https://www.linkedin.com/in/petralovcinska/?originalSubdomain=cz) -** AI Business Implementation Lead at Raiffeisenbank Czech republic **[Dario Sapienza](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dario-sapienza-a23a2b14/),** Principal Group Software Engineering Manager at Microsoft **Moderator: [Michal Ličko](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michallicko/)** – CEO, Visionvolve *** **Agenda — 20 May** * **17:30 - 18:00** – Registration * **18:00–18:10** – Welcome * **18:10–19:00** – 15-minute lightning talks * **19:00–19:30** – Moderated panel * **19:30–20:00** – Networking *** **👥 Who Is This For?** * Founders & startup leaders * Product managers & engineering leaders * Corporate innovators & digital transformation teams * Data scientists, AI engineers, and researchers * Anyone curious about how AI is reshaping business and work Whether you’re just starting or already running AI initiatives, you’ll walk away with **practical insights, real examples, and new connections**. *** **Practical Info** * **Date:** May 20 * **Time:** 17: 30–20:00 * **Location:** Emplifi Czech republic, [Pernerova 51, 186 00 Karlín](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x470b94a15eedb553:0xcb4c591e1fcf1e76?sa=X&ved=1t:8290&ictx=111) * **Language:** English * **Attendance is free, but spots are limited.** RSVP to secure your place and join the people building the AI-native future of Prague and Europe. By attending this event, you agree that photos and videos of you may be used for marketing purposes; if you do not consent, please let us know at the venue or contact the organizers in advance.

**AI Prompting Essentials** *Learn how to talk to AI and actually get what you want.* In this hands-on workshop we'll explore the essentials of prompting: how to structure your requests, get more useful outputs and make AI work for you in your everyday life and work. No technical background needed, just curiosity! 💜 *** **You'll leave with:** • A solid understanding of how prompting works • Practical techniques you can use immediately • More confidence using AI tools in your daily life

**The best latin dancing on a Wednesday night in Prague**💃✨ This is an OPEN-AIR event! 🌤️ We dance outdoors, but we are always 100% rain-protected. Forró is a rhythmic Brazilian dance known for its warm, welcoming community and very casual dance floor vibes. ✅ **No experience needed** → We kick off at 7:45 PM with a quick introduction to the basics.🕺 ✅ **No partner needed** → We rotate after every song. If you feel like dancing, simply ask anyone taking a break to join you. 👋 ✅ **No dress code** → Wear casual basics. You can dance in socks or barefoot. 👣 ✅ **Voluntary donations** → Entry is voluntary (usually 150 CZK via cash or QR code). Social dancing is better than the gym, cheaper than therapy and there is no small talk. If you love to move and want to make new friends, simply show up on Wednesday and let's dance!! 💃✨

How are community builders actually using AI in their day-to-day work—beyond the hype and into real workflows? ​Join us for a Community Chatter focused on practical AI tools and approaches that help teams move faster, support their people better, and rethink how communities grow. This session brings together speakers who have built and deployed their own AI-powered solutions—from editorial coaching agents and community automation stacks to internal knowledge assistants employees actually trust. ​You’ll hear how AI is being used to: * ​turn rough ideas into publishable content without bottlenecks * ​better understand and manage growing communities * ​create reliable, accessible knowledge systems inside organizations ​**Speakers & Talks** ​[Jan Meissne](https://www.linkedin.com/in/necasjiri/?utm_source=luma)[r](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-meissner/?utm_source=luma) *Coaching, Not Gatekeeping: Building an AI Editorial Agent for Our R&D Blog* The more AI handles the routine, the more the human stuff matters. This talk is a small story inside that bigger one. A year ago, this would have been a favour I'd ask a senior engineer for - and then keep bothering them about every time something broke. Instead, I built it myself: an AI-powered editorial coach that helps our engineers, PMs and designers turn rough ideas into publishable blog posts. Azure Functions, React, Claude. Things I'd nodded along to at conferences for years and never expected to actually touch. I'll share how it was structured, tuned, and what it changed about how people write and publish. Although I hit a token limit in Claude Code halfway through. It's in production anyway. ​[Láďa Vašek](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ladislav-vasek/?locale=en&utm_source=luma) *From Chat to Code: How We Run a 500-Member Community with AI (Without Being a Developer)* A practical, no-code journey through building and running a community with AI tools. Láďa will walk through his stack and share a surprising insight: not all members matter equally—and AI can help you figure out who actually does. ​[Jirka Nečas](https://www.linkedin.com/in/necasjiri/?utm_source=luma) *Good Input Means Good Output: How We Built an AI Agent Employees Actually Trust* A behind-the-scenes look at building an internal AI assistant that employees actually use. Jirka will show how leveraging existing data, analyzing real employee questions, and embracing imperfect systems can lead to a reliable, everyday knowledge tool. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ​This event is organized for the Czech community of community builders, especially those working with engineering and tech teams—but everyone curious about practical AI in community and team enablement is welcome.

Calling all board game enthusiasts in Prague! Join us for an exciting evening of fun and games at Sophie's Hostel! Whether you're a seasoned strategist or just looking for a casual night of entertainment, this event is perfect for everyone. Bring along your favourite board games or discover new ones from our collection. From classic favorites like Settlers of Catan, Carcassone or Ticket to Ride to modern gems like Codenames, Wyrmspan or Azul; from the simple UNO, Jenga or Pachisi to heavyweights like Brass: Birmingham, Root or Inis - there's something for every taste! Connect with fellow expats, make new friends, and challenge your skills in a welcoming and laid-back atmosphere. Don't worry if you're new to the city or don't know anyone — this is the perfect opportunity to mingle and bond over a shared love of tabletop gaming. Every Wednesday from 19 to... whenever they start preparing breakfast at the hostel. Mark your calendars, gather your game crew, and get ready for an unforgettable night of board game bliss! There is no entrance fee, but please support the hostel by ordering drinks. Let's roll!

**Talks:** **BE-A: AI hotelová recepční: Python, fastapi, langchain, TTS/STT, K8s** *by Lukáš Korous* Na praktickém příkladu ukážeme, jak navrhnout autonomní AI systém, který je spolehlivý a zná své limity. Nemusí umět všechno, ale to, co dělá, musí fungovat bez chyb. Podíváme se, jak se to promítá do architektury, testování i provozu. **Schedule** **18:30** – Doors open **19:00** – Talk “BE-A: AI hotelová recepční” 19:45 – Lightning talks: add yours to [https://bit.ly/prpylight](https://bit.ly/prpylight) after 20:00 – Networking **Good to know** * You don’t have to register for this meetup – the actual attendance is much bigger (40–70 Pythonistas) than indicated in the “Going” list here. * **Cash only payments – club doesn’t accept cards.** * Talks at Pyvo are mostly in Czech but it there’s somebody who doesn’t understand Czech talks are switched to English if the speaker is able to do so. * Besides both soft drinks and beer it's possible to eat at the club. Choice is variable and consists of 4 to 7 options ranging from toast, sausages and soup to fried cheese in a bun, goulash or schnitzel. * Club closes at midnight.

We are a group of runners who meet most weeks for a run around the beautiful Vltava River's edge. You can bring your running shoes straight from the office/home office if you don't have time to stop at home. There will be a place to put your bags in the Cafe. We will run about 9 km along the river and have a drink afterwards. Paces vary! We will meet in the square near Kavarna Liberal (Hermanova 6), near the Vltavska metro/tram stop at 6:30 on Wednesday. See you there!

\*\*MPORTANT! Please register on [Luma page](https://luma.com/qmxm93hj)\*\*​ Are you a strong designer with a solid portfolio, but still feel like your true impact remains invisible? We often believe that simply creating good mockups is enough. But the reality is: design almost never creates results in isolation, and the market pays for business impact, not just execution. ​**🎤 [Vova Safonov](https://www.linkedin.com/in/vova-safonov/) — From a Reactive Designer to a Proactive Leader** We will break down the illusion of "I complete tasks = I work well" and discuss why strong designers often lose in the market. You will learn how to: * ​Stop waiting for tasks and start taking responsibility for solutions. * ​Understand business expectations (impact on revenue, conversion, retention). * ​Develop an entrepreneurial mindset inside the company. ​**🎤 [Ivan Rohovchenko](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanrogovchenko/) — 1+1=3: How a Designer Creates Real Impact.** The greatest value is born at the intersection of functions. Ivan will share tools and real cases from his experience building design functions across 10+ companies. You will learn: * ​**The Three Levels of Influence:** How your value creation changes from IC to Design Lead to CDO. * ​**Perspective vs. Power:** Why designers often lose influence by proposing solutions to problems nobody has acknowledged yet. * ​**Practice:** Concrete tools for effective cross-functional collaboration, including stakeholder mapping. ​Huge thanks to **[Nagarro](https://www.nagarro.com/en/?utm_source=luma)** for hosting us, providing the space, and supporting the local design and tech community! Let’s gather to exchange experiences, build cross-functional strategies, and network with like-minded professionals!

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **This is a curated, small-group meetup make new friends in Prague.** Each meetup brings together 4–6 like-minded people for casual conversations over brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to organize and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com](https://groupvibe.com) Once you register, and **buy a ticket or become a Groupvibe member**, we’ll share the exact location and match you with your group. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier \* Matching helps avoid awkward dynamics **Note:** RSVPs here on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. This meetup is organized by **Groupvibe**, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

We’re shipping faster than ever… and also explaining way more why things didn’t turn out quite right 😄 This Product Tank brings two sides of the same story: 👉 How to survive (and function) as a PM in AI chaos 👉 How to write specs that AI can actually build from Talks: 🎤 Jindra Regál () You Are the Ultimate Product: Creating Value in Non-Tech Fields In the AI era, everything gets built multiple times a day. So what problems are still worth solving? After working with companies like Avast, Productboard, Better Stack, Ataccama, and BottleCap AI, I found the most meaningful work came from solving small, practical problems for real people and businesses. A talk about applying product thinking outside IT companies, expanding your perspective beyond software, and learning to treat yourself, your skills, curiosity, and adaptability, as the ultimate product to manage. ⸻ 🎤 Jakub Elias (Similarweb) PMing in the AI era PMs are having an identity crisis. Designers prototype with AI. Engineers spec with AI. You hear about CEOs shipping features from the back of an Uber. So what's left for you? Turns out, still quite a lot. This talk is about what the job actually becomes when building gets cheap and deciding gets hard. How the trio holds together when everyone's on everyone else's turf. How to keep a roadmap alive when the ground shifts every few weeks. And lastly, what's now expected of a PM - being a real builder. ⸻ 🎤 Dominik Ilichman (Productboard) AI coding agents have compressed software delivery like never before — features that used to take weeks now ship in days. But here's the catch: agents don't improvise. They don't fill gaps, ask clarifying questions, or read between the lines. Ambiguity doesn't get resolved — it gets built wrong. The bottleneck has moved from engineering capacity to clarity, and the product specification is now the most critical artifact a PM produces. In this talk, Dominik explores how the PM's role is fundamentally shifting as a result. We'll look at what great AI-ready specs look like in practice: grounding them in your codebase and real customer feedback, using prototypes as a diagnostic tool, and why the spec — not the code — is becoming your team's true intellectual property. He'll also show how tools like Productboard Spark are flipping the traditional workflow — instead of the PM writing and AI helping, AI drafts and the PM steers — making it possible to go from opportunity to delivery-ready specification in a fraction of the time. If you're a PM figuring out how to stay high-leverage in the age of AI, this talk is for you.

Roll up, roll up! Come and join us for an exciting evening of fun and games at Dear Watson! Bring your favourite board games or discover new ones from our collection. Don't worry if you're new to board games - we have plenty of experienced players who'll introduce you to a game you'll love. Join us on Thursday from 19:30 until late. There is no entrance fee, and you will get a 10% discount on food and drinks.

This group is for anyone who writes - for any reason. Have a thesis or article you need to write? Trying to finish a novel or an academic paper? This group is for you. We are currently meeting in-person at Locus Workspace. If you have any questions, contact Sonya Lano here or on Facebook or Messenger (https://www.facebook.com/sonya.lano). We start at 9:00, introduce ourselves, and share a few words about what we're working on and what we hope to accomplish during the session. At the end of the session, you can give us a brief recap of how it went. We'll break at noon. The afternoon session starts at 2:00 pm. You're welcome to join both sessions or just one. Please come as close to 9:00 as you can if you come for the morning session. If you come to the afternoon session, we are usually back by about a quarter to 2:00.

As many of you already know [1touch.io](http://1touch.io%2A%2A/) has joined Everpure to combine its AI-driven data discovery and classification capabilities with Everpure’s global scale, accelerating the delivery of next-generation data management solutions. This meetup will be special! **Speaker:** **[Ashish Gupta](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashishgupta2025/)** - CEO and President of [1touch.io](http://1touch.io/) Ashish drives a bold vision to redefine how enterprises discover, understand, and secure sensitive data in the age of AI. A dynamic and highly regarded technology leader, he brings more than two decades of experience scaling high-growth companies across cybersecurity, enterprise software, and data infrastructure. Prior to joining [1touch.io](http://1touch.io/), Ashish served as CEO of Bugcrowd, where he accelerated the company’s growth, strengthened its market position, and expanded its platform to meet the evolving demands of modern security teams. His earlier leadership roles at global technology companies including Microsoft, Infoblox, Genesys, Actian, and Vidyo reflect a consistent track record of building innovative products, leading high-performing teams, and delivering impactful go-to-market strategies. He now joins Everpure as the General Manager of Data Management. **Talk:** Ashish will talk about why, in today’s AI world, the quality and structure of your data directly impact how well your models actually perform, and why many organizations are still limited by the way their data is set up. He’ll break down why traditional systems fall short and introduce knowledge graphs as a critical foundation for modern AI - connecting data through relationships, not just storing it in isolated tables. Instead of fragmented datasets, you get a connected view: customers linked to purchases, products tied to categories, and patterns that AI can actually understand and act on. You’ll see how this approach brings real-world context into your data, enabling smarter use cases like better recommendations, stronger fraud detection, and more meaningful insights. Ashish will also explain how adding a semantic layer transforms raw data into actionable intelligence, helping AI systems make more accurate predictions by understanding how things relate, not just what they are. If you're working on AI (or planning to) this session will show you why this isn’t just an upgrade, it’s the foundation for making AI actually work. **Time Agenda:** 17:30–18:00 – Doors open and registration with snacks and beer 18:00–19:00 – Talk 19:00–20:00 – Networking time 20:00 – Doors close

Some people go to pubs. Some people conquer galaxies, build empires, trade spices, or outsmart dragons. Nerdy Fridays are our open board game nights for anyone who prefers strategy over small talk and dice over disco lights. Come solo or bring your crew. We’ll help you find a table, explain the rules, and match you with a game that fits your vibe. From light party games to deep strategic battles, the shelves are open. Entry fee: 50 CZK if you drink something, 100 CZK if not (includes access to games and rule explanation) Friday nights don’t have to be loud. They can be legendary. 🎲✨

Free monthly networking for Columbus business owners. Real conversations, real connections, no forced formats. Space is limited. RSVP now. Good marketing starts with good relationships. That is what this event is built around. Networking Night is a free monthly event for local business owners in Columbus who want to build real connections with other serious operators in their market. No structured rotations. No forced elevator pitches. Just a room full of local business owners who are worth knowing, in a space that makes it easy to have an actual conversation. Register here: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/local-marketing-networking-night-tickets-1988510112275](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/local-marketing-networking-night-tickets-1988510112275)

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!

**PLEASE BUY TICKETS THROUGH EVENTBRITE. RSVP THROUGH MEETUP IS NOT A TICKET PURCHASE CONFIRMATION.** Strive welcomes you to 'General Business Networking', Columbus' hottest networking event! We are set in the perfect central location in Downtown for all to join. Are you interested in business? Want to elevate your career? Meet Consultants, Analysts of all types, Bankers, Software Engineers, Entrepreneurs, and more who are active in the space or are eager to get started. **\*\*This will be a multi-vertical event\*\*** **There will be professionals with backgrounds in the arts, finance, tech, real estate, healthcare, and more. Come with an open mind, and leave with connections that wouldn't be possible otherwise!** Pack some business cards and come with an open mind! Meet your future business partners, employers, coworkers, investors, and friends. You don't want to miss this opportunity to expand your network and create a brighter future. We will have a space for our event to check-in. The event will go from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (feel free to come at any point in this timeframe). Name tags will be provided. Business casual dress code. Job fair attire. **Remember, it's not who you know, it's who you meet tomorrow!** We look forward to meeting you at the event! Sincerely, Strive Networking Team *Refund requests are permitted up to 24 hours after purchase, so long as we are not within 48 hours before the event start time. Refunds will be made in full and repaid to your method of payment. Note that we are unable to reimburse PayPal fees.* *Disclaimer: By attending Strive Networking events you agree to photos/videos taken during the event being used to promote future events.*

To secure your spot please register on the official registration site here --> [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/building-opportunities-government-contracting-construction-panel-tickets-1988031527816](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/building-opportunities-government-contracting-construction-panel-tickets-1988031527816) Part of the Pathways to Procurement series. Hear from construction and government leaders, followed by networking. Join us for an engaging panel discussion designed to connect businesses within the construction and government ecosystem. We're bringing together experienced professionals from local government, construction, and related industries to share insights on upcoming projects, procurement processes, and what businesses need to know to successfully engage in public-sector opportunities. Panelists will discuss trends, expectations, and real-world considerations when working with government entities. Following the panel conversation, attendees will have the opportunity to **network with panelists and fellow business owners**, build relationships, and continue the discussion in a relaxed setting with light food and refreshments. **Event Highlights** * Networking * Light food and drinks * Panel Discussion: Expert guidance on upcoming city projects and opportunities Whether you are actively pursuing government contracts or looking to better understand the landscape, this event offers valuable perspectives and meaningful connections.

Please reserve your spot by registering on the below link : **Reserve** https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-biggest-community-investors-founders-columbus-online-tickets-1988563717610?aff=meetup **QUESTIONS ?** Pls Reach out to; Ridhi - +971504724873 ( WhatsApp Only)

Have a small business? Ever wish you could just ask some questions around how to grow your business, get more customers or just know what the freak you are doing with sales? Now is your chance!! Every month we are hosting the "Ask an Expert" at the Columbus Metro Library, Main campus. I will be there to answer your Sales related questions. Drop-in for sales coaching designed to help small business owners, entrepreneurs, and sales professionals sharpen their sales approach. Whether you have questions on how to refine your pitch, are looking to close deals more quickly, or are working on building better client relationships, Smashing Your Sales Goals Coaches are here to help. Drop-in to get expert insights, actionable strategies and real-time solutions to grow your business and generate higher profits. Drop-In Sales Coaching is FREE + OPEN to the public. No appointment needed. First come, first served. EPIC Learning created. Accelerate Columbus supported.