Machine Learning

A decade. Hundreds of conversations, ideas, and inspirations. And we're celebrating with a meetup that truly delivers. Three exceptional speakers, topics that matter, and plenty of room for what has made this meetup special for 10 years: real people, real conversations, real networking. **The Evening at a Glance** 17:30 Doors open, first drinks, familiar faces and new ones 18:00 Welcome and a brief look back at 10 years of DevOps Meetup Zurich 18:15–18:45 **Claws in the Dark: Bringing DevSecOps to Legacy Hardware with Robotics and Playwright** by Alexander Friesen 18:45–19:15 **Beyond Agile: Structuring Organizations for Real Autonomy** by Lea Düker 19:15–19:25 Short break 19:25–19:55 **From Bottlenecks to Flow: OKRs, Value Stream Management, and Governance Done Right** by Vasileios Konofaos 19:55–20:15 Panel discussion with all three speakers 20:15 Networking, Open Space, snacks, drinks, and anniversary cake 🎂 **Claws in the Dark: Bringing DevSecOps to Legacy Hardware with Robotics and Playwright** What do you do when your software’s "deployment target" is a piece of security hardware embedded in a concrete wall for 20 years? In the world of access control, we don't have the luxury of "move fast and break things"—if the integration fails, the door stays locked. For decades, hardware development at Primion relied on manual bit-shifting, incomplete specifications, and the "read, write, and pray" method. When the pandemic decentralized our R&D department—scattering 60 developers across Europe—the traditional model of physical bench testing collapsed. We couldn't send a lab to everyone’s home, so we brought the developers to the lab through robotics. In this session, we deep-dive into how we bridged the physical-digital divide by building a fully automated hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing farm. We will explore: * The Architecture: How we orchestrate GitLab CI, Azure ephemeral environments, and Playwright to drive physical interactions. * The Hardware Hack: How a 200 CHF robotic claw replaced manual testing, allowing developers to "touch" hardware from anywhere in the world. * The Shift-Left Strategy: Moving from "praying for compatibility" to robust integration testing that catches bit-level errors before they ever hit the factory floor. * Scaling on a Budget: How a single working student scaled our setup to 20+ (and rising) automated test cells. Join us to see how "claws moving in the dark" turned hardware debugging from a nightmare into a breeze, and learn how to apply DevSecOps principles to the most stubborn, physical environments. **Alexander Friesen** Aexander is a **Lead IT Architect** with over a decade of experience in software architecture and technical leadership. He specializes in building and scaling modern ecosystems for major enterprises like **Swisscard** and **Siemens**. DevOps & Platform Engineering Highlights * **Platform Leadership:** Directed technical strategy for Siemens’ IoT flagship "BuildingX" and managed multi-million dollar budgets for large-scale SAFe trains. * **Automation & Compliance:** Expert in **DevSecOps**, achieving ISO27000 compliance through automated CI/CD pipelines and security scanning. * **Efficiency Gains:** Improved software team productivity by **30%** through the implementation of AI Ops and Internal Developer Platforms. * **Cloud Native Stack:** Certified **AWS Architect** with deep expertise in Kubernetes, Terraform, Serverless, and **Data Mesh** architectures. * **Global Teams:** Proven track record of leading cross-functional engineering teams across Switzerland, Germany, the USA, and India. **Beyond Agile: Structuring Organizations for Real Autonomy** Many organizations invest in agile methods, DevOps, and new technologies, and yet the desired impact on collaboration, accountability, and decision-making often fails to materialize. A key lever for change lies in how organizations are structured. This talk provides an introduction to Holacracy as a model for radical self-organization and places it within the broader landscape of organizational development. It explains what defines Holacracy, the principles behind it, and the problems it aims to address. The focus, however, is not solely on the organizational model. The talk also presents concrete tools and practices of self-organization, such as clear role definitions, structured decision-making processes, and transparent governance, that can be applied regardless of the organizational structure in place. **Lea Düker** * Since 2024: IT Project Manager and Scrum Master at digital agency Unic AG * 2021–2024: Project Manager and Deputy Head of IT at the Building Department of the City of Zurich * 2018–2021: Consultant for Process Management at Join GmbH * 2016–2018: Master's degree in Business Management with a specialization in Process Management **From Bottlenecks to Flow: OKRs, Value Stream Management, and Governance Done Right** In our session, we'll be delving into the advanced flow engineering practices we've implemented at KPMG CH for our Cloud Platform. These methods have truly transformed how we deliver outcomes—faster, safer, and with an even greater level of satisfaction. During the session, we'll take a closer look at how we leverage OKRs to align teams and drive strategic goals, and how Value Stream Management helps us optimize workflow and eliminate bottlenecks. Our robust Governance model will also be discussed, highlighting how we maintain compliance without sacrificing agility. Beyond sharing the technical details, we'll reflect on the lessons learned and valuable insights we've gained throughout our journey. Our goal is to provide actionable takeaways that will benefit the DevOps community and inspire organizations seeking to enhance their delivery pipelines and nurture a culture of continuous improvement. **Vasileios Konofaos** Head of Business Services CH Group Digital Vasileios Konofaos is a seasoned technology leader with more than 20 years of experience driving large‑scale software engineering, cloud infrastructure, and digital transformation initiatives. As Director of Business Services CH Group Digital at KPMG Switzerland, he leads high‑impact programs that advance innovation, operational excellence, and AI‑enabled capabilities across the organization. His career spans senior roles in global financial institutions and consulting firms, where he has successfully delivered complex projects in software development, automation, DevOps, and machine learning. Certified in Azure, ITIL, PMP, PRINCE2, and Scrum, Vasileios is recognized for his strategic mindset, strong leadership, and ability to empower teams to achieve exceptional results. He brings deep expertise in systems analysis, project delivery, and process improvement, consistently enabling organizations to scale technology solutions with quality and precision. Many thanks to our **sponsors**: * Catering and Location Sponsor: **KPMG** https://kpmg.com/

Map the World, Change the World. Join Our Mapathon! Got a laptop? Ready to make a difference? 💥 We're on a mission to create life-saving maps for disaster response, and we need YOU. No experience? No problem. Whether you're a mapping newbie or an OpenStreetMap Pro, you'll learn, collaborate, and help create maps that matter. What to bring? Your laptop (mouse = bonus points!) Why join? Learn cool mapping skills Make a real impact in crisis zones Meet like-minded change-makers Ready to map for good? Let’s do this.

**[⚠️>>Ticket needed (click here)<<](https://eventfrog.ch/en/p/sport-fitness/yoga/yoga-sound-healing-7437531987315800493.html) or** **[www.social-circle.ch](http://www.social-circle.ch/)** 🌿 **Social Circle Yin Yoga & Soundbath – Reset & Reconnect** 🌿 Join the Social Circle community for a deeply restorative evening designed to help you slow down, reset, and reconnect — with yourself and with others. 💖✨ 📲 Join our WhatsApp chat to keep up with the event: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/EsTccDt6vB2A8z3OXbPUbW](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EsTccDt6vB2A8z3OXbPUbW) (if you run into trouble open it in WhatsApp Web on your desktop) We’ll begin with a gentle **Yin Yoga practice**, featuring long-held, calming postures that release tension and soothe the nervous system. No rush, no pressure — just space to arrive and soften. 🧘‍♀️ As you rest into stillness, you’ll be immersed in the healing vibrations of a **soundbath** with crystal and Tibetan bowls. The sounds will guide you into a meditative state, helping you drop out of your head and into your body. 🎶 After the workshop we will go in a cafe for a drink to relax and socialize. This combination of Yin Yoga and sound healing is perfect if you’re looking to: 🌸 unwind after a busy week 🌸 calm your nervous system 🌸 reconnect with yourself in a warm, welcoming group setting **What to bring:** – Comfortable, loose clothing – A bottle of water Come as you are. Leave feeling grounded, relaxed, and gently connected. 🌙💫 We’re looking forward to creating a calm and supportive space together as part of Social Circle. ​📸 Photos and short videos may be taken during the event. Let the host know if you prefer not to be in them. Tickets are non refundable. Want more events like this? Join our community! [https://chat.whatsapp.com/DaGFCvKs6iu62pftk5cotM](https://chat.whatsapp.com/DaGFCvKs6iu62pftk5cotM)

"Behind the Curtain" is a women’s group built around real conversations and genuine connection. It’s a place where you can show up as yourself, talk about the things that actually matter, and feel truly heard — without pressure and without judgment. We intentionally leave work, small talk and our phones at the door, making space instead for honest stories, thoughtful questions and meaningful connection. To keep the space intimate and make sure everyone has room, spots for each gathering are limited. While each event stands on its own, the hope is that familiar faces will return over time, allowing trust to grow and real friendships to form. Whether you come with something on your heart or simply to hold space for others, you’re welcome here exactly as you are.

The Sketch Circle Zürich at the Coin Coin COIN COIN\. \- Specialty Coffee \+ Matcha \| Wine Bar \| Art "OFF"space \| Co\-Working \| Events Ernst-Nobs-Platz 1, 8004 Zürich https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q7VHzNZLSktsrRtE6 It’s an informal meeting to chat, chill, network and have a beer between artists and art-interested people. People bring their own sketchbooks, tablets, markers etc. and sketches, draws, paints stuff. But no one is forced to create. You can also just come to have a drink and enjoy the creative vibe of a diverse and inclusive artistic group. In these reels you see how such evenings look like… Here you see how such evening looks like https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKy9hUeqn9F/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== See you there.

As it is sometimes difficult in Switzerland to practice high german, in 2010 we decided to organize a conversation group that is free to everyone who wants to practice german and socialize. WhatsApp group for easier contact: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KmMkpiQxs291vTPv2RBNm4

**WALK THE TALK** Zurich Toastmasters is the place to be if you want to improve your public speaking, communication, and leadership skills. **Walk the Talk** offers a friendly and inspirational environment for all levels of public speaking experience. Guests and new members are always welcome! A typical meeting includes 1–3 prepared speeches by members, evaluations of the speeches, and Table Topics – impromptu speaking. This meeting is Hybrid. "You can speak well if your tongue can deliver the message of your heart." John Ford DISCLAIMER: We may take pictures/videos of our events and share them online or on social media. If you do not wish to be in the pictures, please let us know before the meeting starts. We will do our best to respect your wishes.

The **Digitec Galaxus Product Development Meet-Up** is back — this time diving into **recommender systems** with two talks bridging data science and engineering practice. **Talk 1: Insights from Building and Operating a Recommender System for Migros Supermarkets** *Max Nolte – Data Scientist & Team Lead at Supermarkt IT, Migros-Genossenschafts-Bund* When you think of a Migros supermarket, you don't usually think about recommender systems. Over the past four years, my team and I have built and operated the engine behind personalized Cumulus coupons and a few other digital touchpoints. I'll share how it works, why we invest in it at a brick‑and‑mortar retailer, and what we've learned, covering data, models, measurement, and the practical realities of running it day to day. **Talk 2: Recommendations at Digitec Galaxus — From Data Science to Engineering Practice** *Michael Weiss, Senior Software Engineer & Robert Rosenbach, Senior Data Scientist – Digitec Galaxus* How do you go from a promising model to a recommender system that is fast, scalable, and maintainable in production? We will walk through the Digitec Galaxus recommendation stack end to end: the engineering architecture that keeps recommendations snappy and reliable, and the data-science side of model training — what to optimize for, which input signals matter, and the trade-offs involved in both. The two presentations will take roughly a combined hour, leaving plenty of time for discussions, questions, and exchange afterwards over drinks and snacks. Whether you come from a software engineering, data science, product, or any other background — we'd love to have you join us!

PLEASE PURCHASE **CHF 59 (early bird)** TICKET VIA [LUMA](https://luma.com/rii1rycb). Most AI workshops show you slides. This one gives you something to take home. ​In 2-3 hours you'll build a personal AI assistant that actually knows how you work: what drains you, how you prioritise, what you keep forgetting. No coding. No fluff. Just your laptop and one problem you wish would solve itself. ​You leave with something working. Tonight. ​**What to expect:** You'll learn how to build your own AI assistant using Claude and taking advantage of Claude skills and MCP connectors. All whilst you get to sip on your Aperol (or San Bitter as an alcohol-free alternative). **What to bring** A Claude account (free plan works). Claude Pro recommended if you want to go further on the night. ​**Works even better if you use one of these:** Notion, Asana, Linear, Jira, Google Drive, Gmail, Slack, ClickUp, [Monday.com](https://monday.com/). Claude connects directly to all of them, so your assistant can see your actual tasks without you pasting anything. **In Hottingen, Zurich, detailed location will be revealed after ticket purchase via [luma](https://luma.com/rii1rycb).** ​Don't use any of these? No problem, you'll still build something that works.

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Update 25.03.: We are fully booked.** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Hi everyone — I'm Michael from **Digitec Galaxus**, where I'm responsible for the integration of recommender systems. Together with my colleagues at Digitec Galaxus' recommendations team, we’ve recently taken over the **Zurich Recommendation Systems** meet-up group and consider reviving it as a regular series. To kick things off, we're joining forces with the **Digitec Galaxus Product Development Meet-Up** for an evening on recommender systems in practice. We will present two talks: * **Max Nolte (Migros Genossenschaftsbund)**, amongst other things, on four years of building and operating the engine behind personalized Cumulus coupons — covering data, models, measurement, and the practical realities of running it day to day at a brick-and-mortar retailer. * **Michael Weiss and Robert Rosenbach (Digitec Galaxus)** on the full recommendation stack in Switzerlands leading e-commerce platform — from the engineering architecture that keeps things fast, scalable, and maintainable, to insights from model training: what to optimize for and which inputs matter the most. Each presentation will take roughly 30 minutes, including questions, leaving plenty of time for discussion and exchange afterwards. To participate, please sign up for the events in both groups: * **Digitec Galaxus Product Development Meet-Up** — Primary organizer: This is the sign-up that counts, and you’ll also find a more comprehensive announcement of the talks there ;-) [https://www.meetup.com/digitec-galaxus-zuerich/events/313707996](https://www.meetup.com/digitec-galaxus-zuerich/events/313707996) * **Zurich Recommendation Systems** (i.e., this event) — to help us gauge interest in running this as a continuous series going forward Looking forward to seeing you there!

**Bachata Fusion Workshop — Social Dancing & Connection** *with Marcel & Jasmin* *Sunday April 12* *3pm–4pm* Join us for **Bachata Fusion!** A hands-on workshop series focused on what actually matters on the social dance floor: **Simple, easy-to-follow moves on the dance floor,** **fluid movement, and dancing that feels good for both partners.** 🎯 **What to expect** We don't just learn new moves; we delve deeply into the underlying technique. 📅 **Dates:** April 12, 19, 26 🕒 **Time:** 3pm – 4pm 📍 **Location:** Fuego Dance Studio (at Ella's Fellas), Hohlstrasse 192, Zürich *(next to Hardbrücke / Hardplatz)* 💸 **Free workshop** Try it for free, no commitment. 👥 **No partner needed** — just show up and dance. 🔥 **Stick around after?** Javier runs his **Salsa Lab** right after at 4pm. Perfect if you want to keep moving and make a full afternoon of it. 📆 **Reserve** your spot in Meetup.com ℹ️ **Website**: https://www.eversports.ch/activity/0f830c9a-7d73-418b-8f4b-b0026b485402 **Level:** Improver, beginner are welcome to try! **Style:** Bachata Fusion with focus on social dancing & connection See you on the floor!

Hello everyone, Since there will be sun, I changed the location to Zürich Buchlern. Therefore, we will also get 2 fields :) During this event, you’ll have the chance to meet new people, play friendly matches and learn the basic techniques, if you wish. This event is aimed at everyone that has never played before or a long time ago and is not sure to be able to pass the ball properly over the net or to someone. If you think you're comfortable playing, I invite you to join the advanced events of Marius: https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-avsypajv/. Let's meet on Court 1 and 2 at the Buchlern sports centre in Zurich. **Tips:** \- Bring a water bottle \(there’s a drinking fountain next to the courts\) \- Bring sunscreen/sunglasses/a cap \- The court can usually be watered\, except in rare cases — so it’s good to bring suitable socks if it’s hot **A few practical details and participation conditions:** \- A small contribution is required for court rental and other organisational expenses\, please pay before the event via TWINT at \+41784053495 by **writing your name and date of the event** or cash the day of the event. \- Please only sign up through Meetup for an easier organisation \- Please cancel at least 24 hours in advance if you can’t make it\, so others can sign up or I can reschedule the session \- If you don't cancel and do not show\, please cover your share to keep it fair for everyone\. **Price per person:** CHF 6.5 **!No shows!** Lately, there has been quite some no-shows. Therefore, I remind you to please sign out 24 hours before the event if you're not sure to come. So that people in the waiting list can join instead. The court is not free, any no-show means wasted cost. In case of two no-shows, I have no choice but to impeach you from signing up again by excluding you from the group 😣 If you want to join the Whatsapp group for any updates, events and other activities, let me know after the event 😊

**[⚠️ >>Ticket needed (click here)<<](https://eventfrog.ch/en/p/dating/speed-dating/mystery-matches-blindfolded-speeddating-7432017503818140259.html) or** **[www.social-circle.ch](https://social-circle.ch/)**[ ](https://social-circle.ch/) ✨ **Mystery Matches: Blindfolded Speed Dating in Zürich** **Beyond Looks – Find Real Connection (25-40y)** Had enough of small talk and superficial dating? Dive into an experience where true chemistry sparks *before* appearances come into play. **The Vibe** Imagine sitting across from someone you can’t see. No distractions. No snap judgments. Just their words, their voice, and their energy. That’s **Mystery Matches**—Zürich’s one-of-a-kind blindfolded speed dating event designed for deeper connection. Join our WhatsApp chat to keep up with the event: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FoJN0DzRQgF232huSHiGOi (if you run into trouble open it in WhatsApp Web on your desktop) **How It Works** * Rotate through a series of short, blindfolded conversations. * Exchange a card with your name so your partner remembers who they spoke with. * With sight switched off, you’ll naturally tune into personality, tone, and presence. * After the rounds, blindfolds come off and the evening flows into a relaxed mingle—this time with faces revealed. (Name tags included!) * Stay for vynil music! **What’s Included** * A welcome drink * A guided, well-paced format that keeps things fun and easy * A welcoming, pressure-free atmosphere for playful connections **Where & When** * Venue: *Raedli bar* * Time: *19:00 sharp – please arrive on time!* ️ **Tickets** * Early bird: **19.-** Want more events like this? Join our newsletter: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/DaGFCvKs6iu62pftk5cotM](https://chat.whatsapp.com/DaGFCvKs6iu62pftk5cotM) ​**Important:** Tickets are **non-refundable**. Pictures might be taken during the event, if you do not want it please let the organizer know.

AI is changing how art is made. But when does it stop being your work and start being the machine’s? This month we're going to be doing a panel with with digital image, music, and written word artists, talking about at what point, while using AI in the creation process, does the work become not the artist creation? We encourage audience participation during this event that will be moderated by Chris Slee. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services) Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/55umjqta)

**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** GitHub Copilot is powerful, but what if you could scale from a solo AI assistant to an entire team of specialized agents working in parallel? This session introduces Squad: an open-source framework for multi-agent orchestration that lets you define teams of AI agents with specific roles, responsibilities, and expertise. We'll progress from Copilot basics to the Copilot CLI, explore how Agents add autonomy, and see how Instructions and Skills let you customize agent behavior. Then, the climax: a live demo where a Squad team of 3 agents (Lead, Developer, Tester) stands up and builds a working application in real-time, showcasing true multi-agent collaboration. Whether you're new to AI or exploring how to scale your use of Copilot, this session will show you what's possible when agents work as a team. **YouTube Link** TBD

If you enjoy knitting, crocheting, working with yarn, this is the group for you. Meet new friends, bring your projects, learn from others.
We normally meet a few times a month during the week from 6-8pm. We will occasionally meet on weekends during daytime hours.

Join us for an in-depth workshop on Agentic AI through AWS, where we’ll explore foundational concepts, real-world use cases, key AWS services, and how to get started building your own intelligent systems. Led by AWS Solutions Architect and Dev Advocate Fabricio Flores. Hosted at Pomerene Hall 250!

**The Data-Driven Brand: Using Analytics to Shape Perception** Can you use analytics to improve tacos? This being CBUSDAW, we think the answer is probably “yes”, but we’re not sure how to implement or test this theory. For our April meetup we’ve got Sara Kear, CMO of Condado Tacos, to investigate this delicious question. Sara will explore how she blends quantitative data and qualitative customer feedback to shape brand positioning and drive business decisions. We all know that marketing and analytics go way beyond attribution. Sara will show how Condado uses customer insights to inform product and pricing strategy. She’ll also highlight how Condado leverages customer feedback at scale to influence operational priorities, positioning marketing as the voice of the customer across the organization. In the last 12 years Condado has gone from one location in Columbus to 52 locations across 10 states, so we’re guessing there’s more to that growth than really good guac (though the guac probably helps). Ultimately, this talk focuses on the intersection of art and science—using data to inform creativity and build a brand that resonates with customers in a measurable way. **About Our Speaker** Sara Kear is Chief Marketing Officer at Condado Tacos, where she oversees brand, restaurant design, menu and pricing strategy, off-premise including catering, and customer data strategy. Since joining in 2021, she has helped grow the brand from 19 to 52 locations while building a data-driven marketing organization focused on loyalty and customer insights. Condado has since been named to the Inc. 5000, recognized as Breakout Retailer by Chain Store Age, and consistently ranked among FastCasual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers. 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)