MongoDB

On the 1st of July we will host the next iteration of our monthly Audio Developer Meetup where **Peggy Sylopp** from [sinceare](https://www.sinceare.com/) will be presenting her work on personalization approaches for hearables, and **Vlad Litvinenko** will demo 'Spotykach', a looping playground. See below for details! As always, there will be a chance to network over drinks and pizza. Anyone interested in Audio development is welcome! Doors open at 18:00, talks start at 18:15. Please note: Attendance is **strictly limited** to people who have RSVP'd. Talk details: **Can users train their own audio system?** \- Peggy Sylopp In this talk, we present Sinceare’s closed-loop personalization approach for hearables. Instead of relying on predefined fitting rules or static presets, users teach the system how it should sound through interaction and feedback. These preferences are transformed into personalized machine-learning models that learn how to control existing audio processing algorithms according to individual preferences. Rather than replacing audio DSP algorithms, the generated models act as an adaptive control layer that continuously adjusts algorithm parameters based on user-specific listening preferences. Based on more than eight years of research and a recent study conducted with Fraunhofer IDMT and Charité, we will share insights into user-driven audio model generation, human-in-the-loop machine learning, and the path from research prototype to future embedded hearable deployment. **Spotykach, a looping playground** \- Vlad Litvinenko Vlad is a Berlin based software developer doing e-commerce by day, bleeping machines at night and sometimes music in between. The talk is about device they’ve recently built. It’s “Spotykach”, a looping playground, as they call it. It started from an attempt to do a simple Beat-Repeat kind of plugin, but then evolved into a community project within Synthux Academy with people from different backgrounds and countries.

**Creative Session for Song-Writers & Writers to connect, share & grow. Together.** We create a safe and inspiring space guided by our DNA. Members and invited Artists - where Writers of all styles and backgrounds are welcome. **WHAT TO EXPECT:** * Introduction: Connect, meet fellow artists, and ease into the space together. * Writing Session: Work on Your own project / get inspired by our creative prompts. * Feedback Round: Share Your work and receive thoughtful, constructive feedback. * Stage Time: If You feel comfortable, You are welcome to perform Your lyrics, poem / song. **STAGE PERFORMANCE:** If You would like to perform, please bring Your instrumentals / backing tracks on Your phone. You can connect via Bluetooth to our mixer. A keyboard and guitar will also be available if needed. **GUIDELINES:** * Offer encouraging and constructive feedback: “This part was strong—lean into it. You might explore this further…” * Be mindful that some pieces may be personal or sensitive. Please include trigger warnings where needed. * We create this space together - with respect, openness, and care - so everyone feels safe to express themselves. **TICKETS:** available at the Box Office before the class ‍ ***Get ready to explore different writing styles, deepen your craft, and connect with new people.*** Get ready to explore different writing styles, deepen your craft, and connect with new people. ‍ ...for more info check out www.dna-artclub.com / follow us on IG: @nightart.club See You soon :) Love. DNA. *** \*Members of Dair Night Art e.V. and Subscribers of DNA. Art GbR. \*\*By entering the DNA. ART HOUSE, You agree to comply with the Hausordnung of Dair Night Art e.V. and Geschäftsordnung of Dair Night Art e.V. Please ensure You review these documents thoroughly in advance.

**We’ll now be meeting twice a week at Denizen House (Köpenicker Str. 40, 10179 Berlin), on** **Mondays and Wednesdays!** * **Mondays:** **levels A1 to B2** * **Wednesdays:** **levels A2 to C1** **We work with dedicated materials tailored to each level, so everyone will have a place to practice and improve.** **Event schedule** * **18:00 – 18:30** **Arrival and registration** * **18:30 – 19:50** **Sprachcafé** * **19:50 – 20:00** **End and clean up** **Please be aware that the moderated event starts at** **18:30. Before this time, we are busy setting up the space. Registrations usually take place around** **18:15 / 18:20. Participants are kindly asked** **not to arrive too far in advance** **at the house.** **If someone arrives much earlier, Denizen may ask them to pay either for a drink (consumption) or for a** **day pass, as the space is a co-working environment during the day.** **Please remember, our event is only happening from 18:00 to 20:00** **How the Sprachcafé works** **We use different materials to help participants gain confidence in German. Together with whiteboards and our volunteers, the Sprachcafé is based on** **interactive conversations** **in small groups.** **Participation fee** **The Sprachcafé has a** **participation fee of 5 €, which helps cover organizational costs and** **includes one soft drink for free.** **Tickets can be purchased directly on the day of the event, card and cash payments are accepted.** **As the Sprachcafé has become very popular, we now need to** **limit the number of participants. Please understand this measure; it ensures that everyone has a comfortable space to practice.** **We kindly ask you to be** **rücksichtsvoll** **and only RSVP “Yes” if you are certain you can attend.** **If your plans change at the last minute, please update your RSVP so someone on the waiting list can take your spot.** **Getting your ticket early can help secure your place.** **Please note** **Our event will begin** **promptly** **at the scheduled start time.** **If you arrive late, we cannot guarantee your participation, even if you have a ticket or have RSVP’d. We encourage all guests to arrive on time to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.** **About Denizen** **Denizen is a new-style co-working space focused on being an integral part of local communities. Located on the ground floor of the historic Eiswerk on Köpenicker Straße in Kreuzberg, Denizen House is a communal place providing work, refreshment, and recreational facilities throughout the day. Think of it as a living room for the neighborhood.** **If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to let me know. If you’d like to contribute to this night, send me a message!** **Ich freue mich schon!** **Grüße,** **Nacho**

***Safe Space to explore spontaneity, creativity & connection through improv theatre.*** This Improv Theatre Lounge is a playful yet professional environment where You can experiment, take risks & grow. Through dynamic games, excercises & group interaction, You’ll build confidence, sharpen Your instincts & learn to trust the moment. Each session invites You to co-create scenes, characters & stories – fully in the now. Set in our urban art club in the heart of Kreuzberg - at Kottbusser Tor - with a huge stage & beautiful terrace, the class offers a unique & inspiring atmosphere with an authentic vibe. > Whether You’re new to improv or already experienced, this drop-in class is open to anyone ready to express, connect & have fun in a supportive atmosphere **DURATION:** 60 – 90 minutes (depending on the group size) ‍ **AFTER (PARTY):** After the Workshop, we stay over for a Drink on the terrace, good Music & some new Connections. Everyone is welcome to join. ‍ **ABOUT YOUR COACH:** Geoff is a dedicated, professional teacher and actor. He is also active as a writer, director and producer of small-scale projects here in Berlin. He has performed on many stages – as actor, host, and improvisor – and in many short films, across the UK and Germany. He loves to meet and work with new actors, and has a real passion for discovering new talent. His acting profile may be found [here](https://www.filmmakers.eu/en/actors/geoff-mills). ‍ **SPOTS:** Everyone is welcome. Beginner-friendly. No sign-up needed. Tickets available at the Box Office. **LEVEL:** Beginners & Intermediate **WHAT YOU NEED:** Good vibes only :) **COSTS:** €15 regular \- available at the Box Office\|[Free for DNA. Members](https://www.dna-artclub.com/membership) ‍\*\*..for more info check out www.dna-artclub.com / follow us on IG: @https://www.instagram.com/nightart.club/\*\* **See You soon :)** **Love.** **DNA.** **__________________** \*This Workshop is free for DNA. Members ... more Info to Membership here: https://www.dna-artclub.com/membership \*\*By entering the DNA. HOUSE / DNA. CLUB, You agree to comply with the Hausordnung of Dair Night Art e.V. and Geschäftsordnung of Dair Night Art e.V. Please ensure You review these documents thoroughly in advance.

**DNA. presents: "CREATIVE WRITING & WINE"** \- A space where creativity flows and every sip inspires\. Settle into Your Wednesday evening with a glass of wine in hand and step into a cozy, inspiring atmosphere made for sharing stories, listening deeply, and letting Your own voice come alive. Our storytelling and poetry evenings are open to everyone — whether You're just beginning to explore spoken word or You’ve been writing for years. No pressure, just presence. ***With gentle, uplifting prompts and space to express Yourself, You'll create, share, or simply enjoy the power of words in a warm, welcoming circle.*** Whether You’re planning a soulful midweek date, coming alone to unwind, or meeting friends for something different, this is Your moment to connect, reflect, and celebrate the beauty of language. ***Each gathering offers something new: fresh themes, meaningful conversations, unexpected moments of truth and a community that listens with its whole heart.*** See Us Soon :) Love. Garen & DNA. *** ‍ For more insights, follow us on IG: [@nightart.club](https://www.instagram.com/nightart.club) \*Members of Dair Night Art e.V. and Subscribers of DNA. Art GbR.

led by L (Isadora Expert)\* Monthly meet-up for Isadora users in our Berlin studio. Join us as we cover special topics and offer guidance on the projects you are already working on. If you are new to Isadora, we provide a free Isadora 7-Day license to jump start your work. Beginner to advanced. All are welcome! **Isadora** is a software created by and for artists to use interactivity in performance, installations and more. Learn about Isadora [here](https://troikatronix.com/isadora/). **\*L** is a media artist, technical design consultant, multimedia show control programmer, as well as a projection, lighting, interactive technology, and live feed video designer. Their work has most recently been seen at Berliner Festspiele, Nationaltheater Mannheim,Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus, Deutsche Oper, and La MaMa Galleria. They’re particularly interested in using various sensors to use the human body as a source of data for manipulating media

📆 Agenda * 19:00 Welcome to the PUB (Python Users Berlin) – setting up * 19:15 Main talk * 20:00 Lightning talks * 20:30 Social gathering 🎙 Main talk by [Sam Bail](https://www.meetup.com/de-DE/members/57634242/): PySpark PySpark is a powerful library that brings Apache Spark’s distributed computing capabilities to Python, making it a key tool for processing large-scale data efficiently. In this talk, data engineer and analyst Sam Bail provides a structured and hands-on introduction to PySpark, starting with an overview of Apache Spark, its architecture, and its ecosystem, such as Databricks. Learn about Spark’s core concepts, such as the DataFrame API, transformations, lazy evaluations, and actions, before setting up a lab environment and working with a real dataset. Plus, gain insights into how PySpark fits into a broader data engineering ecosystem and best practices on running PySpark in a production environment. 👩‍💻 About [Sam Bail](https://www.meetup.com/de-DE/members/57634242/) Data engineer and engineering leader with 10+ years building platforms and teams across healthcare, marketplaces, and data infrastructure at NYC tech startups. I teach data engineering courses on LinkedIn Learning and O’Reilly, focused on making complex topics accessible to everyone. I also founded Bright Nights Social, an alcohol-free nightlife community that’s produced 100+ events across NYC. You’ll probably find me on a dance floor or running around Berlin this summer (training for the Berlin marathon). 📚 Resources * [Apache Spark](https://spark.apache.org/) * [PySpark](https://spark.apache.org/docs/latest/api/python/index.html) * [PySpark DataFrame API](https://spark.apache.org/docs/latest/api/python/getting_started/quickstart_df.html) ⚡️ Lightning talks We would like you to give a lightning talk (shorter than 10 minutes) about what you are doing with Python. 📍This will be a face-to-face meeting.

Nice! You are looking for real long time friendship! You might have already lived in Berlin or other big cities and experienced the "Anonymous" culture for a while. Meeting random people over and over and never see the same person again! In order to find "Real Long Term Friendship" in Berlin, do as follows: * You should not care how many people are joining this meetup. You RVSP. Even if only one person is joining. Because if everyone are waiting for everyone else to RVSP, nobody joins and nobody finds a new friend. * You do not care how many people of the opposite sex are joining. You are looking for friends. Finding the best romantic partner in the world, while avoiding not very attractive others, can be your other goal, for another time. Here we are looking for Friends. Real ones. * You are going to risk a very precious property of yours: Your time! Yes, there are thousands of opportunities in Berlin, there might be a rock concert for free, a birthday party you might miss, an important person might call you and invite you spontaneously, but you never find new friends until you decide to risk your time and meet people anyway. "I will check my calendar and get back to you" also does not work. Commit your time and spend it. Trust me, you won't go bankrupt ;-) * You are ready to use your phone as a real phone! You might have been using your phone as a tablet to visit Instagram and Facebook and watch movies. But if you want to find friends, you must know that people might take your phone number and give you theirs. That means they will Call you! And you have to pick up the phone and answer it. If you want to find new friends, you must be ready to do something really hard for the first time after years: Call people first, and if they called you: Answer your phone! * You are going to meet some people twice! That's the point of friendship. We already can experience random encounters with random people in random places one at a time. But that is not called friendship. If you want friends, you must be ready to meet the same person more than once. If you agree with above, RVSP and COME! You will meet other people who think the same way. P.S: Now that you've read all the way down to here, I suggest you [watch this animation](https://player.vimeo.com/video/547249272?h=22f3dd0f6f).

Join us for the **Berlin DevOps Summer Meetup**: our last edition before the summer break! We're excited to be hosted by **Parloa** for an evening of interesting talks, discussions, and networking. There will be food and drinks provided, and plenty of time to connect with fellow DevOps enthusiasts. **📌 Please register at least 24 hours before the event.** We need to share the attendee list with the Parloa office in advance, and **spots are limited**. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Agenda** 18:30 Open Doors, Networking with Food and Drinks 19:00 Welcome words by Parloa and BLN DevOps team 19:25 **Running K8s with AI: Automating** **the SRE Lifecycle with Grafana MCP and GitLab** 19:50 **The Pipeline Was Green — AI Agents and CI Trust** 20:15 Short Break 20:30 **Managing Uninvited Guests: Securing Open Source Dependencies** 20:55 Networking 21:30 Closing ➡️ Interested in hosting an event? Fill out our [Call for Hosts](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScBpga8Yp-QAQt2lGskZWOThaKyQ_MbMbZaNcklgeXxqr5Vrg/viewform?usp=sf_link) and let's set up a meeting. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- *Christoph Ebeling* **Running K8s with AI: Automating** **the SRE Lifecycle with Grafana MCP and GitLab** What does it look like to run 30+ microservices, 8 databases, and a Kafka cluster almost entirely through AI agents? This talk walks through a practical demo of automating the full SRE lifecycle: from incident investigation to deployment validation, using Grafana MCP and the GitLab Agent Platform, and where humans still need to stay in the loop. *Serhii Vasylenko* **The Pipeline Was Green — AI Agents and CI Trust** We’ve spent years building CI/CD pipelines that tell us when code is "technically correct," but are they capable of telling an autonomous AI agent if a change is safe to apply? This talk explores a real-world incident where an AI-powered automation -- pairing Renovate with Claude Code -- successfully executed a "green" pipeline that broke a critical QA cluster for three days, how the team reacted, and how we evolved our vision toward the future of human-agentic collaboration with code. *Frithjof Hoffmann* **Managing Uninvited Guests: Securing Open Source Dependencies** Open source software is the ultimate neighborhood party, but what happens when an uninvited guest slips through the door? This talk digs into the messy reality of dependency hell and its role in software supply chain security: from typosquatting attacks to maintainer account takeovers, and the abandoned projects with known CVEs quietly living in your codebase rent-free.

***An Evening of Authentic Relating, Attunement and Connection*** What becomes possible when authenticity and belonging meet? This first Authentic Belonging Circle is an invitation to slow down, arrive more fully in yourself, and explore genuine connection with others. Together we'll create a space rooted in play, supported by clear boundaries, and open to depth. During the evening, we'll explore a blend of Authentic Relating games, partner exercises, embodied practices, and Circling. Some moments may be light and playful, others more intimate and reflective. You are invited to: • connect with yourself and others in new ways • practice deep listening and authentic expression • explore what it feels like to stay connected to yourself while relating • cultivate greater presence, attunement, and belonging No previous experience is needed. Whether you're new to these practices or already familiar with them, you're warmly welcome. The circle is held by Manuela, a systemic coach and facilitator trained in Authentic Relating, Heart IQ, TEPP, and other relational and embodiment-based approaches. (Learn more at [authentic-belonging.com](https://authentic-belonging.com/)) **Practical information** 📍 Private location in Berlin-Schöneberg (shared after registration) 🗣️ Language: English & German 👥 Maximum 10 participants 💰 Contribution: €15 / €20 / €25 Choose the amount that best reflects your current financial situation. 📱 **Registration required.** Please register & message me here or via WhatsApp: [https://wa.me/4915731655758](https://wa.me/4915731655758) I'll confirm your spot and share the exact location. *Spaces are limited to 10 participants. This event is also shared through other channels, so Meetup RSVPs will not reflect the current number of registrations.* **Belonging without performing. Connection without masks.**

We're helping spread the word about the upcoming Berlin FinOps Foundation Meetup and would love to see more of our Meetup community there. Please note: **registration is handled by the FinOps Foundation**, not through Meetup. Secure your spot here: [https://community.finops.org/event/berlin-finops-foundation-meetup-july](https://community.finops.org/event/berlin-finops-foundation-meetup-july) The event brings together FinOps practitioners, cloud cost leaders, and community members for networking and knowledge sharing. If you're interested in FinOps, cloud financial management, or connecting with peers in the Berlin area, this is a great opportunity to join the conversation. We're also excited that Henrique Amorim, who recently started as the FinOps Foundation's EMEA Community Lead, will be joining this event. Henrique is eager to connect with the community, share ideas, and discuss the future of the FinOps community across Europe. Bring your questions, feedback, and thoughts on where the community should go next. Register via the FinOps Foundation event page above and we'll see you there.

This is a 3 phase meetup. You can come at any time. 1.) 6:30 - 7:00 p.m.: Gathering at the meeting spot (see link and photo!). 2.) 7:00 - 7:30 p.m.: Walk & Talk through Tiergarten. 3.) 7:30 - 10:00 p.m.: Immerse conversations in the Zollpackhof beer garden (reserved tables for the meetup). **1.) Meeting spot is Henriette Herz Park.** Copy the coordinates into your maps app: **52°30'38.9"N 13°22'24.1"E** The exact meeting spot can also be seen in the photo. Look for a meetup sign or organizer wearing a black or red lanyard with "staff" written on it. **Best ways to get there:** 1\. S\-Bahn: Get off at Potsdamer Platz by S1, S2 or S25 and walk to the designated meeting spot. 2\. U\-Bahn \(subway\): Alternatively you can get off at Potsdamer Platz by U2 and just walk 5 min straight to the park. 3\. Bus: If you change at mainstation you can take the M41 or M85 to S Potsdamer Platz /Voßstr. and walk to the park. **2.) Walk & Talk through Tiergarten** (the best part imho). During these weird times it essential to connect with nature and like minded people. You will feel instantly energized and an inner calmness afterwards. **3.) How to the find the Zollpackhof beer garden:** https://goo.gl/maps/vDYYaJcFvTmd7hei7 Elisabeth-Abegg-Straße 1, 10557 Berlin We will be sitting outside. Click the gmaps link with the exact meeting spot if you can can't find us! If you enter from the Magnus-Hirschfeld-Ufer, just go to the left part of the beer garden where the self-service is. If you enter from Elisabeth-Abegg-Str, enter the beer garden from the right. *Who is this meetup for:* 1\. Internationals who want to practice German or any other language\. 2\. Germans who want to improve their language skills\. 3\. Anyone who is interested in cultural exchange and wants to socialize\. *What you can expect:* 1\. A professionally organized meetup that can adapt to any changes given the current situation\. 2\. A Walk & Talk to break the ice\. 3\. A collaborating venue where you can further socialize with other members\. *important:* This event is at the same time and meeting location like the "Asian Languages & Culture Exchange 日本語, 한국어, 汉语" one. So I'm basically organizing 2 events at the same time which means that you can expect way more people than on the list. *** Whenever you attend a meetup, the most common as well as first question you get is: "Where are you from?" You probably heard this question a million times. Well, at least I did. From my own experience of attending over 200 international meetups in various countries such as Germany, Japan, Australia and Thailand, I can tell you that asking for the name is a better approach. “A person’s name is to that person, the sweetest, most important sound in any language.” - Dale Carnegie If you really want to connect with like-minded people you should remember their name, but you don't have to remember every persons name you've talked you. Be picky about that, don't be me who can somehow remember everyones name easily. Don't tell yourself sth. like "I'm bad at remembering names." It's all about developing the habit of asking for a name and keep the conversation going on. Furthermore, you want to learn German or any other language. Learning the local language is crucial to connect with the locals and developing a true friendship. This can be accomplished with immersion. My goal is to inspire you to go out of your comfort zone and improve yourself each time you join this meetup.

We have moved to guild.host. Look us up there. https://guild.host/events/buckeye-cocoaheads-rcavwd

Start your week the right way with Manic Mondays. Giving you an enjoyable Bachata lesson with a push of cool moves. The second hour has Beginner/Intermediate Salsa on 1. You must understand basic Salsa skills to participate. 730pm-830pm Bachata Cool Moves 830pm-930pm Salsa On 1 (Beginner/Intermediate) 15 for One Class 20 for Both Free Parking & Plenty of Dance Space. Viva Dance Columbus 2809 Festival Lane Dublin OH 43017

Our monthly PHP meetup. A virtual shindig courtesy of Zoom. Check back here for the details around 6:15 pm

**Latest Dojo Location!** **Knotty Pine Brewing** 1765 W 3rd Ave, Columbus, OH 43212 We're going to try a new dojo location for a few weeks and see how it works Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we'll have extension cords and power strips). If there's something you want to learn leave a comment on this invite so we can plan ahead. We're looking for speakers for our Monthly Meetups! Fill out the form if you are interested in presenting to the Python Community. https://forms.gle/ehSfUAC2WgR34Crq9

Monthly working lunch for Columbus business owners. One specific topic, one to three actions you can run this week. You can be the best at what you do and still be invisible. If local buyers cannot find you, the phone does not ring. Marketing Monday Lunch + Learn is a monthly working lunch for Columbus business owners focused on building relationships, local networking, and local marketing. Every kind of local business welcome. No pitch round, no pressure, no upsell. **This month** Most local businesses pick one or two places to be visible and call it good. The result is inconsistent calls and a feeling that marketing is not working. We will walk through the three places every local business needs to show up, plus the fourth place most owners ignore that quietly produces the warmest leads. **What to expect** Doors open at noon. Order lunch and drinks at the cafe counter or bring your own. You get real conversation with other local owners and a focused marketing lesson. You leave knowing people and with one to three actions to run that week. The room is reserved through 1:30 PM. **Who this is for** Any local business owner who wants clearer marketing direction and real local relationships. Service businesses, retail, home services, professional services, online owners building local presence, anyone serious about being part of the Columbus business community. **Not the right fit if** You are here to pitch the room or recruit for an MLM. **Details** * Second Monday of every month * 12:00 to 1:30 PM * Good Cafe Easton, 4400 Easton Commons, Ste 150, Columbus, OH 43219 * Order lunch and drinks at the counter when you arrive * Free to attend, RSVP required, space is limited **About the host** Rita Suzanne is a local marketing strategist and the founder of Local Marketing Method. She runs Visibility is Profitability, the membership where local business owners build the system that keeps their phone ringing. Learn more at learnlocalmarketing.com. Register here: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1989964540509?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1989964540509?aff=oddtdtcreator)

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.