DevFest London 2024
I have attended DevFest events around the globe — from India to Sweden, Norway, and the UK. DevFest London was a standout experience this year, buzzing with the energy of 28 speakers, 4 tracks, and over 260 attendees.
Having previously presented on cloud, data, AI platforms, and responsible AI in Stockholm and India, I was naturally drawn to the AI track. The sessions were a fascinating exploration of cutting-edge topics, ranging from:
- Generative AI model performance: A deep dive into the capabilities and limitations of today’s most advanced AI models.
- Prompt injection attacks: A critical look at the security vulnerabilities of LLMs and how to mitigate them.
- Avoiding common LLM pitfalls: Practical advice on navigating the challenges of working with large language models.
- The rise of LVMs: Insights into why Large Vision Models are poised to revolutionize how we interact with visual data.
- Harnessing the power of Gemini: Expert tips on leveraging Google’s latest AI model while staying within ethical boundaries.
- AutoML with Vertex AI: Empowering business users to build and deploy machine learning models without coding expertise.
- Google’s Secure AI Framework (SAIF): A comprehensive overview of Google’s approach to building secure and trustworthy AI systems.
My DevFest secret weapon: granola.ai
In the whirlwind of back-to-back sessions, I discovered a game-changer: granola.ai. This incredible tool transcribed the sessions in real-time, allowing me to fully engage with the presentations without worrying about taking notes. If you’re a meeting maestro juggling a packed schedule, granola.ai is your new best friend.
Taking LLMs offline with Ollama and Open Web UI
One of the most exciting takeaways from DevFest was the potential of running LLMs locally. Tools like Ollama (https://ollama.com/) and Open Web UI (https://docs.openwebui.com/) make it surprisingly easy to experiment with LLMs on your machine, opening up a world of possibilities for privacy-preserving AI projects.
More DevFest discoveries
DevFest London also introduced me to some promising tools and platforms:
- Codemagic: (https://codemagic.io/start/) A CI/CD platform for mobile app development.
- Flutterflow: (https://www.flutterflow.io/) A low-code platform for building Flutter apps.
My robotic endeavor 😂
I even attempted to build a robot! You can see the results in the GIF below.
Final thoughts
DevFest London 2024 was a whirlwind of AI innovation, insightful discussions, and inspiring connections. These passionate developers and forward-thinking companies are clearly shaping the future of technology. I can’t wait to see what next year’s event holds.
