Critical Design

Hi everyone! We’re continuing the conversation. For the next **Cloud Platforms Switzerland Meetup**, we’re moving from listening to *working together*. Join us on **24.02.26** at **18:00 at isolutions @ Circle ZH** for a short welcome before we dive straight in. This edition is about **co-defining cloud platforms** \- and questioning the idea that a single\, universal platform model can realistically serve every organization\, team\, or context\. ️ At **18:35**, **Philipp Kuntschik and Marcel Wiedemeier** will set the stage with a structured introduction to platform definitions. What do we actually mean when we talk about “platforms”? Which definitions hold up in practice, and where do they start to fall apart? ️ From there, we’ll shift into a **hands-on workshop format**. After a brief setup, we’ll split into groups by **platform type** and work through concrete questions around scope, responsibilities, and trade-offs. The objective isn’t to force alignment - it’s to make differences explicit and actionable. Each group will briefly present their key takeaways, followed by an open discussion to compare patterns, tensions, and open questions across platform types. We’ll conclude the structured part around **20:00**, then move into networking and apéro , and wrap up the evening at **21:00**. If you’re involved in designing, operating, or governing cloud platforms - and you’re not fully convinced that existing models fit your reality - you’ll feel right at home. See you there!

**⚠️ Ticket needed :** [https://social-circle.ch/](https://social-circle.ch/) **Deutsch Speed Conversations & Games – in Partnership with [Hallo Deutsch Schule](https://hallodeutschschule.ch/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=887633649&gbraid=0AAAAADgIap3Ei0f6tHPwfMKIsym12KWLW&gclid=CjwKCAiA8vXIBhAtEiwAf3B-g9Ki9iwAShuA0wQ5A96YP-oEdJnsu9nl2rOjHVhChh3driKygxI9JxoCyF4QAvD_BwE) ** Want to practice your German in a relaxed and fun way? Join us for an evening full of conversations, laughter, and games — open to all levels from A1 to B1! Together with **Hallo Deutsch Schule**, one of the city’s most engaging language schools focused on interactive, practical learning, we’ve prepared a social night where you’ll meet new people and boost your German confidence. Join our WhatsApp chat to keep up with the event: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/Fba97ffO0DwL91sVW2u7mv](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Fba97ffO0DwL91sVW2u7mv) (if you run into trouble open it in WhatsApp Web on your desktop) **Evening program:** **Speed-friending Conversations:** Rotate every few minutes and chat with different partners. Great for practicing spontaneous speaking in a low-pressure environment. **Games** Play games like "Tabu" for higher levels or "Quick buzz" or "Das Dings" both word guessing games for lower levels. There will also be conversation cards. Whether you’re just starting or already conversational, you’ll leave feeling more confident — and with new friends. Want more events like this? Join our WhatsApp community: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/DNCKCapTzlSKqBqS8EQckJ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/DNCKCapTzlSKqBqS8EQckJ) ​P.S. Pictures might be taken during the event, if you do not want it please let the organizer know. Tickets are **non-refundable.**

Speakers: RAG with Docling – Panos Vagenas (Docling) Earth Observation for Enhanced Risk Awareness of Commercial Properties – Patrick Jayet (AXA) Agenda: RAG with Docling – Panos Vagenas (Docling) Join this session from the core Docling team to learn how to fully utilize your unstructured data in your AI workflows, be it for RAG, information extraction or, ultimately, any document-related agent. We will go over Docling’s main capabilities, covering how it can help address your enterprise needs, as well as giving a sneak peek of upcoming developments. Earth Observation for Enhanced Risk Awareness of Commercial Properties – Patrick Jayet AXA insures millions of commercial properties worldwide. To strengthen risk awareness across its insured portfolio and streamline Risk Engineering workflows, AXA’s Global Data & AI (GDAI) innovation unit has created some time ago a new initiative combining Earth Observation and computer vision. This talk will describe how the project was initiated and developed, and how it supports risk engineers by providing scalable, data-driven insights for commercial property risk assessment.

An der OST Rappeswil, Zimmer 1.262, [siehe hier](https://geometalab.gitlab.io/campus-maps-with-openstreetmap/ifs-campus-map/?search=way/902580361) (Öffentlicher Anlass) **Worum geht’s?** Wir treffen uns regelmässig als Community of Practice rund um **Software Crafting** – sauberes Design, TDD, Pairing, CI/CD, Observability, Security by Design, kontinuierliches Lernen, Erfahrungsautausch und diverses mehr. Dieses Treffen ist hands-on und praxisnah, ideal für Einsteigerinnen und Profis. **Fokus dieses Mal** «Functional Programming in JavaScript (with Theory)». Genaueres [hier](https://github.com/orgs/Software-Crafters-Meetup/discussions/10) **Themenliste & Voting:** [Themenliste](https://github.com/Software-Crafters-Meetup/Software-Crafters/blob/main/themenliste.md) Trage dein Thema ein und vote mit. **Ablauf** Wir werden Pizza bestellen. **Mitbringen** \- Laptop **Code of Conduct** Wir pflegen einen respektvollen Umgang, teilen Wissen offen und geben konstruktives Feedback. Kein Gatekeeping, kein Verkaufs-Pitch. **Fragen?** Melde dich via Issue/Discussion oder per Mail an *mail@marcokuoni.ch* Wir freuen uns auf dich – und auf deine Themenideen!

**About** Home Assistant is an open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first. It is powered by a worldwide community of tinkerers and DIY enthusiasts. **Presentations** 1. 15’: Welcome (Urs/Reto and SCS) 2. 45’: Intro to Home Assistant and Open Home Foundation, technical deep dive on Home Assistant and Home Assistant Operating System (Stefan Agner) 3. 30’: Intro to Home Assistant integration development and current work at GARDENA (Ezra, Florian) Presentations start at 19:00. Afterwards we’ll have plenty of time to discuss and socialize. **About the speakers** * [Stefan Agner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-agner-6a43066a/) is the team-lead Home Assistant Operating System and works at the Open Home Foundation. * [Ezra Bühler](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ezrabuehler/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/ezrabuehler/") is a senior embedded software developer. He maintains the GARDENA smart gateway and currently works on allowing offline operation. * [Florian Schweikert](https://mistkratzer.li/ "https://mistkratzer.li/") is a data engineer at GARDENA and works on a Home Assistant integration. * [Lukas Woodtli](https://ch.linkedin.com/in/lukaswoodtli) is a senior embedded software developer. He develops and maintains services on the GARDENA smart gateway.

Join us for an immersive Fullcontact Karate workshop in Zurich where you will have the opportunity to learn and master traditional Japanese Martial Arts techniques. This event is perfect for Karate enthusiasts of all levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners. Our experienced instructors will guide you through various forms and stances, helping you improve your skills and deepen your understanding of this ancient practice. Come and experience the discipline, focus, and strength that Fullcontact Karate promotes. Whether you are looking to enhance your technique, improve your physical fitness, or simply connect with like-minded individuals in the world of martial arts, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself and grow in a supportive and inspiring environment. Don't miss out on this chance to elevate your Karate practice and embrace the spirit of Japanese Martial Arts!

**Are you tired of ending up in 4.5-star tourist traps?** We've all been there: Google and TripAdvisor promise the ‘best steak in town,’ but you end up in a sponsored ranking that doesn't match your vibe. In a world full of bought reviews, the question arises: How can we find a restaurant that suits our taste from the wide selection and ratings available? Meet **[Tobias Tröhler](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobias-troehler)**, CEO and co-founder of Bern-based shooting star **[Taste Match](www.tastematch.io)**, at the next **Young Talents Club**. He answers questions from [Stephan Oehen](www.linkedin.com/in/stephanoehen), founder of the Young Talents Club and Managing Partner of Oehen PR. Tobias and his team are revolutionising the restaurant scene by replacing the ‘uniformity’ of 5-star systems with a mixture of social feed and intelligent matching. Find out first-hand: * Why the classic algorithm has had its day. * How to find a free table in a suitable restaurant at short notice? * What highs and lows has the founding team of this tech start-up experienced from the initial idea to the present day? * How hyper-personalised data will change our decisions in the future? A big thank you in advance to our location sponsor **[Starbucks](https://www.starbucks.ch/de)**. The first drink is on us! *** **Bist du es leid, in 4.5-Sterne-Touristenfallen zu landen?** Wir alle kennen das: Google und TripAdvisor versprechen das „beste Steak der Stadt“, aber am Ende sitzt man in einem gesponserten Ranking, das nicht zum eigenen Vibe passt. In einer Welt voller gekaufter Bewertungen stellt sich die Frage: Wie finden wir in der grossen Auswahl und Ratings das Restaurant unseres Geschmacks? Triff **[Tobias Tröhler](www.linkedin.com/in/tobias-troehler)**, Co-Founder des Berner Shooting-Stars **[Taste Match](www.tastematch.io)**, im nächsten **Young Talents Club**. Er stellt sich im Talk den Fragen von **[Stephan Oehen](www.linkedin.com/in/stephanoehen)**, Young Talents Club-Gründer und Managing Partner Oehen PR. Tobias und sein Team revolutionieren die Gastroszene, indem sie den „Einheitsbrei“ der 5-Sterne-Systeme durch eine Mischung aus Social Feed und intelligentem Matching ersetzen. Erfahre aus erster Hand: * Warum der klassische Algorithmus ausgedient hat? * Wie in kurzer Zeit einen freien Platz in einem passenden Restaurant finden? * Welche Höhen und Tiefen durchlebte das Gründerteam dieses Tech-Start-ups von der Idee bis heute? * Wie hyper-personalisierte Daten unsere Entscheidungen künftig verändern werden? Ein herzliches Dankeschön schon voraus unserem Location Sponsor **[Starbucks](https://www.starbucks.ch/de)**. Das erste Getränk geht auf uns!

**About the talk** Conversational assistants aren’t “just another feature”. They are full experiences shaped by countless design decisions that must hold up in real life: messy inputs, high expectations, edge cases, and the constant tension between speed, quality, and cost. In this talk, Gea and Alberto share what they’ve learned while designing AI-enabled assistants in different contexts (from support to retail-like journeys). Instead of focusing on hype or theory, they’ll unpack the practical choices that make the difference: how to keep conversations actionable, how to design a consistent “voice” without overdoing personality, how to define (or intentionally limit) the assistant’s identity, and how the interface and the underlying logic need to evolve together. They’ll also touch the less glamorous, but most decisive parts of the work: when AI is the right tool (and when it isn’t), why data is the elephant in the room, what “testing” means in conversational design, and how to guide users so the assistant is easy to understand and hard to misuse without overwhelming them. Expect a set of clear takeaways you can reuse with your own team, whether you’re starting from scratch or improving something already in production, shared through real design trade-offs, not spoilers. **About the speakers** [Gea Sasso](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gea-sasso/) is a Senior Service Designer at Sketchin focused on service experiences where journeys, touchpoints, and contexts come together. Her work explores how services can be shaped across channels, including the interplay between digital and physical environments. [Alberto Andreetto](https://www.linkedin.com/in/albertoandreetto/) is a Lead Interaction Designer at Sketchin specialized in interaction design and complex digital systems. He works on defining how products behave, respond, and communicate, especially when interfaces become conversational and adaptive. [Sketchin](https://www.sketchin.com/) is an advanced strategic-design studio that helps forward‑thinking organizations explore technology and face their next sustainable change. They combine business opportunities with customer expectations to design and deliver end‑to‑end experiences, often leveraging deep tech and AI to reshape products, services, and customer engagement. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ** The Talk is in English** ** \*Note\* The event is happening in a new room \*note\* The event will be held at ETH Zürich Maschinenbau ML, Room F34** *We kindly ask you to arrive 10 minutes early of the event start, so everyone can find a seat due to high attendance. Thank you!*

**Pizza, Pasta & UX: Join us for the Post-Meetup Dinner!** Want to keep the conversation going after the UX meetup? Join us for dinner right after! We have reserved a table at our favorite local Italian restaurant. They have welcomed us many times with delicious food and a cozy atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to unwind and discuss the evening's topics over some tasty pizza or pasta. **Important:** Please register here to save your seat. This reservation is exclusive to attendees of the main meetup of the same day. See you there! The LTT Team

We manage attendance via this WhatsApp group, https://chat.whatsapp.com/LGzReBVGyfa3VM3qVGLEUU?mode=ac_t The actual number of players is on WhatsApp. Contact the host to know how many people signed up. We play every week regardless how many people signed up in Meetup. Saturday morning kick about. Aim to play on small pitches, 6v6, 7v7 or 8v8. If you have bibs or a football please bring it along. The field is artificial grass. Meet in Juchhof in any of the 3 pitches depending on availability. Please remove yourself from the RSVP list by 17:00 on Friday so any waitlist players have enough time to plan to play. If you RVSP and fail to attend you will be removed from the group.

A single broken type can ripple through your entire stack, turning a seamless deployment into a debugging nightmare. But when your types are watertight, the magic happens: code that documents itself, databases that talk to forms, and modularity without the risk. This February, we’re stripping away the guesswork and looking at the architecture that keeps modern web apps unbreakable. Whether you’re looking to harden your infrastructure or automate your validation logic, join us for an evening of deep-dive demos and technical insights that go way beyond the documentation. **Agenda** * 17:30 – **Doors open** * 18:30 - 18:50 – **Settling in & Intro** * 18:50 - 20:30 – **Talks and pizza** * 20:30 – **Networking** **Explore the detailed agenda and speaker info: [https://zurichjs.com/events/march-2026](https://zurichjs.com/events/march-2026)** **About the organizers** * **[Bogdan Ilie](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilie-bogdan/)** is a user advocate. He's dipped his toes into Web Development, Technical Writing, Marketing, Design, and more. That makes him uniquely predisposed to identify improvement opportunities anywhere in the chain, or come up with unique solutions to problems. Nowadays, he's building websites and webapps at novu ag, using his beloved framework, Vue. * **[Faris Aziz](https://www.linkedin.com/in/farisaziz12/)** is a front-end master and Staff Software Engineer at Smallpdf, after his Engineering management job at Navro, a fintech company in the UK. Faris is a mentor, conference speaker, and workshop instructor, most recently at CityJS and other major conferences. He has contributed to open-source projects like Raycast and has mentored on platforms like Mentor Cruise. His projects include work on GCN, Eurosport, Discovery+, Fiit (a top UK fitness app), and he was the founding engineer of Navro in London. He also serves as a technical mentor at the Bletchley Institute. * **[Nadja Hesselbjerg](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadja-r%C3%B8mer-hesselbjerg-47002a12b/)** is a Zurich-based frontend developer with a flair for crafting sleek, user-friendly web experiences. With a passion for innovative UX/UI design, she transforms complex ideas into intuitive digital solutions. Her multicultural background adds a unique perspective to her work. When she's not coding, Nadja is likely exploring the latest design trends or enjoying the vibrant Swiss tech scene. **Who are the awesome sponsors and partners?** * **[Vercel](https://vercel.com/?utm_source=zurichjs&utm_medium=sponsored_meetup&utm_campaign=zurichjs_partner_2026)** is THE platform for frontend developers, providing the speed and reliability needed to create at the moment of inspiration. We love Vercel because they’ve turned the "manual labor" of deployment into a simple `git push`. By handling the heavy lifting of global infrastructure and serverless scaling, Vercel allows us to focus on what we actually enjoy: building great user experiences. Whether you’re using Next.js, Nuxt, or SvelteKit, Vercel is the gold standard for shipping fast and staying in the flow. * **[GYFF](https://www.getyourfreefast.ch/?utm_source=zurichjs&utm_medium=sponsored_meetup&utm_campaign=zurichjs_partner_2026)** is a Swiss platform that facilitates connections between IT experts and businesses, where they vet both the companies and the freelancers, so the collaboration goes smoothly. **Get involved** * Have an interesting idea? * Something missing from all meetups in this space? * Do you have feedback? * Wanna buy us a coffee? * **Got a venue idea?** We love rotating locations to showcase Zurich’s tech ecosystem. Reach out, we’re always scouting fresh spots for our upcoming events. There are multiple ways to get in touch: * **[conf.zurichjs.com](https://conf.zurichjs.com)** \- get your conference ticket and find out more\! * **[zurichjs.com](http://www.zurichjs.com/)** \- the source of truth for all things zurichjs\, including all social links to follow us and interact with us online Our goal is to create a space where everyone can bring value and feel like they are getting something out of it. We are open to sponsorships and partnerships, and we would appreciate you **sharing the event** and message us about opportunities. We are also committed to fostering a respectful and psychologically safe space where anyone can share their ideas. If this is your first time speaking, or if you need help preparing for a talk, we are happy to offer guidance and support.

Schnitze und drucke dir dein eigenes Kunstwerk. Du lernst die Grundlagen des Linolschnitts von der Skizze über das Schnitzen der Softmatte bis hin zum Druck. Am Ende kannst du deinen Linolschnitt und deine Drucke mitnehmen. Perfekt für in dein Zimmer oder als Geschenk. Wir stellen verschiedene Motive zur Verfügung. Du kannst aber auch dein eigenes Motiv/ Ideen mitbringen. Anmeldung über unsere website [kreativwerkstatt.design](https://www.kreativwerkstatt.design/service-page/linolschnitt-workshop?referral=service_list_widget)

We're planning the next Hackergarten Zurich We're looking forward to see some familiar faces and share knowledge within the open-source community. Spread the word — everyone is welcome! Bring your project, a bug, a feature, a question... or just your time and enthusiasm As always there will be free drinks, beer and pizza, sponsored by Quatico. As usual we briefly present the open-source projects we'd like to work on, break up into groups and try to make an actual contribution. We offer free pizza, beverages and depending on weather conditions a great view on Zurich West from the rooftop terrace. Many thanks to Quatico (https://www.quatico.com) for hosting the event!

**Welcome to the inaugural meeting of the International Relations / Foreign Policy Group Columbus!** This group brings together students, professionals, academics, and anyone interested in global affairs, diplomacy, and geopolitics. Our first meetup will be an informal discussion focused on current international developments and global trends. This is a great opportunity to: • Meet others interested in international relations and foreign policy • Discuss current global events and geopolitical developments • Exchange perspectives and ideas in a respectful environment • Build a network of globally minded individuals in Central Ohio (Columbus and periphery) **Discussion topics may include:** * Strategic planning for the group and the way forward * US foreign policy priorities in 2026 * Major geopolitical developments (Europe, Asia, Middle East) * Global security and strategic competition * International economic and diplomatic trends No prior expertise is required—everyone is welcome, whether you're a student, professional, or simply interested in world affairs. **This will be a casual, friendly, and intellectually engaging conversation.** I look forward to meeting everyone and building a strong international relations / foreign policy community in Central Ohio.

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** *Spec-Driven Development with GitHub Spec-Kit: From Intent to Implementation* 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. **YouTube Link** TBA

**Web Design Decoded: Tools, Practices, and Proven Processes:** **Semantic HTML** At WebDev Columbus, we are exploring some of the most important topics of professional high-end web design and page building. Primarily focused on site building in the WordPress environment, our group explores tools, tips, and techniques for building the best WordPress sites possible. Additionally, we focus on disciplines and technologies that take website design from visually appealing to optimized spaces for delivering you and/or your client's message effectively and with a nod towards extended reach. Each session combines practical demonstrations with real-world insights, giving you actionable knowledge you can apply immediately. Whether you're a seasoned developer looking to enhance your design skills or a newcomer wanting to understand design best practices, this series offers valuable insights for every skill level. **What to expect:** * Hands-on demonstrations of popular design tools * Best practices for design-to-development workflows * Tips for creating responsive, accessible designs * Real-world problem-solving scenarios * Interactive Q&A sessions * Networking opportunities with fellow developers **Each meetup features:** 60 minutes of focused presentation 30 minutes of live demonstrations 30 minutes for questions and discussion **See you there!** Our casual, collaborative environment encourages learning from both presenters and fellow attendees. Bring your questions, share your experiences, and connect with Central Ohio's web development community! **Stay tuned for specific session topics and dates.**

Join other experienced and aspiring agile coaches and professionals to: * develop and practice your coaching skills in a peer-to-peer environment * share current successes and challenges in your work environment and get support from each other * learn from each other, build better relationships and experiment with new ideas

**TBA**

We will show a variety of methods for building agents that run in Microsoft Foundry. This covers the different types of agents: Prompt, Multi, and Hosted, as well as the development lifecycle using evals and traces.

Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! https://sessionize.com/cbus-hug-2026/