The Azure, AI/ML & Data Community Durban has the pleasure of bringing you: Data & AI Community Day Durban: Season of AI as a follow-up event to the extremely succesful Data & AI Community Day Durban: April:

Figure 1: Data & AI Community Day Durban: April 2024

The Data & AI Community Day was held on April 27, 2024, at the stunning offices of BETSoftware in Umhlanga. Over 175 attendees attended, a record for a free Data and AI community event in Durban! The event was a tremendous success, with a fantastic lineup of speakers, engaging presentations, and a great atmosphere. Attendee feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their excitement for future events. We can’t wait to see you: Data & AI Community Day Durban: Season of AI.

So, what is Data & AI Community Day Durban: Season of AI? Microsoft recently introduced Microsoft Community Pilot. This initiative sees Microsoft supply slides and supporting demos to help anyone in the community quickly deliver a talk around topics important to Microsoft. The content is created by Microsoft but is free to reuse and remix to deliver to local user groups, meetups, and community events. As Microsoft intensifies its focus on AI, it is natural that AI would be the first topic for this initiative, hence Season of AI.

The Data & AI Community Day Durban: Season of AI is a dynamic, full-day, FREE, in-person event taking place on July 20, 2024 at KPMG’s offices at Umhlanga Ridge. It promises an exciting, in-depth exploration of artificial intelligence and other hot topics in the realm of Data and AI.

Yes, there will be many AI topics. Still, the event wouldn’t be organized by Azure, AI/ML & Data Community Durban if we didn’t have a mix of other cool topics. So, expect topics along the lines of:

  • Azure AI & ML Services (obviously)
  • Generative AI
  • Database Development
  • Data Science & Analytics
  • Real-world AI & Data Use Cases
  • Streaming, Stream processing, Streaming databases
  • Power Platform & Power Apps

Even though Season of AI is a Microsoft initiative, there will be topics covering non-Microsoft tech as well. The event will feature a mix of 60-minute and 20-minute sessions, with speakers from a diverse panel of experts, architects, and Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) who are all at the forefront of their fields.

So, whether you’re interested in Azure Open AI, eager to explore the latest in Generative AI, passionate about database development, fascinated by machine learning, or interested in the world of streaming, there’s something for everyone. Our expert speakers are ready to share their insights and experiences, providing you with the knowledge and inspiration to propel your projects and career forward. This event is a MUST-ATTEND! 📈🤖

Click on respective link for more information:

Speakers

The call for speakers (CfS) has now closed, and we are happy to announce that we have a stellar line-up of speakers for the event: thought leaders in their respective fields, Microsoft MVPs, Software Architects, etc. The line-up looks like so:

View Speakers

Even though the CfS has closed, we are still looking for speakers for upcoming events. If you are interested in speaking, please contact us.

Sessions

The awesome speakers you see above will be presenting on the following topics:

View Sessions

Wheen you view the sessions, please note the following:

  • Even though there are rooms and times allocated to the sessions, that may change.

We, the organizing committee, are very excited about the topics and speakers, and we hope you are too!

Agenda

We believe we have a solid agends for the event. The agenda looks like so:

View Agenda

When looking at the agenda, please note the following:

  • Registration starts at 08:00, and the event starts at 08:30 sharp.
  • The event ends at 18:00. Please try to stay for the entire event, as we have some exciting things planned for the end of the event.
  • Some sessions are 20 minute sessions and some ar 60 minutes. In the agenda, we have indicated the start time of the session and the length above the session title.
  • Thera are 10 minute breaks between sessions, and a 40 minute break for lunch.

Just to be clear, the agenda is subject to change. We will update the agenda as and when changes occur. However, we are extremeley excited about the agenda, and we hope you are too!

Registration

Now, when you have see the awesome lineup of speakers and topics you obviously want to register.

Be aware that we have only a limited set of seats available, so please register early to avoid disappointment:

Register Now

When you have registered, please share the event with your friends and colleagues!

Venue

We are hosted by KPMG in Umhlanga’s affluent business district. The venue is easily accessible by car and there is ample parking available. The venue is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a large auditorium, breakout rooms, and a spacious lobby area for networking.

Figure 1: KPMG Head Office

The venue is located at: KPMG, 6 Nokwe Avenue, Umhlanga Ridge, Umhlanga.

If you come by car navigate to 6 Nokwe Avenue and park in the underground car park. From the undeground car park take the lift to the ground floor and follow the signs to the event. If you are dropped off (Uber, etc.) use the entrance at Umhlanga Rocks Drive (south) and Ntusi Road.

Get directions to the event

Sponsors

We are excited to announce the upcoming Data and AI Community Day Durban: Season of AI. If recent events are any indication, this event promises to be a memorable and impactful experience for our community.

Figure 2: Data Saturday Durban 2023

As organizers, we seek sponsors who share our commitment to supporting our community and would like to participate in this exciting event.

Your sponsorship would not only help us make this event a reality but also showcase your company’s dedication to our community. We have various sponsorship packages available to suit different budgets and marketing goals.

By partnering with us, you can promote your brand to a diverse audience, gain exposure through our marketing efforts, and align your company with a positive community initiative.

If you want to learn more about our event and the sponsorship opportunities available, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We would be happy to provide you with a detailed sponsorship proposal and discuss how your support can make a meaningful impact.