AI/ML & Data Community Durban

Data enthusiasts, AI innovators, and tech explorers: let’s pick up where we left off. The hype is still out there, and so are we. 🎸 Data & AI Community Day Durban: AI Unplugged II — The Maskandi Sessions is happening on July 25, 2026, and we’re bringing you another full day of raw, authentic, community-powered learning.

We, Azure, AI/ML & Data Community Durban, are back doing the thing we love most: a packed house, brilliant speakers, and the kind of honest, no-fluff tech talks that have made our events one of the largest community-run tech gatherings in South Africa. 🚀

So, What’s with “The Maskandi Sessions”?

If you’re from KwaZulu-Natal, you already know. For everyone else, here’s the short version: maskandi is our homegrown sound: Zulu acoustic guitar music, born right here in KZN, where one player, one guitar, and a true story is the whole show. No backing tracks. No studio gloss. No autotune. Just skill, soul, and something real to say. 🎶

Which, when you think about it, is exactly what we want from a great tech talk.

Last time, AI Unplugged was our answer to a world drowning in buzzwords: MTV Unplugged, but for tech. It worked, so we’re back for round two, and this time we’re tuning it to a Durban frequency. Same no-hype spirit, but played local: real knowledge, told straight, lessons learned (failures included), and skills you can use on Monday morning. Less “AI will change everything” hand-waving, more “here’s what actually works, and here’s how we’re doing it on this continent.”

That’s what we want to do: strip away the noise and turn up the things that matter: practical depth, local talent, and a community that lifts each other up. For the community, by the community.

(And yes, if you also read the “II” as a cheeky SQL “sequel” joke, you’re precisely our kind of people.)

Following Up on AI Unplugged

We kicked off 2026 in style with Data & AI Community Day Durban: AI Unplugged! True to the name, it was a full house of honest, practical, no-hype talks: a stellar speaker line-up (the feedback scores were so tight it was practically a photo finish 📸), our now-legendary panel discussion, the Future Heroes student showcase, and a hallway track that ran hot all day long. 🔥

Figure 1: Data & AI Community Day Durban: AI Unplugged

Now it’s time for the next chapter. If AI Unplugged proved that stripping things back to what matters is exactly what our community wants, then AI Unplugged II — The Maskandi Sessions turns up the local volume: the same authentic energy, with a sound that’s unmistakably ours.

Data & AI Community Day Durban: AI Unplugged II — The Maskandi Sessions

Think of it as MTV Unplugged for tech, now with a Durban accent. No corporate polish. No death-by-slideshow. No “AI will change everything” hand-waving. Just real people sharing real knowledge with a room full of 200+ developers, data professionals, students, and tech enthusiasts who are hungry to learn.

AI Unplugged II is a FREE full-day, in-person event for the community, by the community, where we deep-dive into the most exciting innovations in AI, data, and cloud technologies. It’s packed with cutting-edge insights and networking opportunities. It promises an exciting, in-depth exploration of artificial intelligence and other hot topics in the realm of Data & AI.

We keep the friendly Durban energy, the slightly cheeky banter, and the serious technical depth.

What to Expect

From the title, you know there will be AI. But “Unplugged” means we go deeper, wider, and more honest than the hype cycle allows. Since the event is organised by Azure, AI/ML & Data Community Durban, we have a mix of topics celebrating everything in Data & AI, and beyond. Expect topics along the lines of:

🤖 AI & Machine Learning

AI Agents & Agentic AI: Multi-agent systems, orchestration, and real-world implementations
Generative AI: LLMs, prompt engineering, RAG, fine-tuning, and what’s actually production-ready
Model Context Protocol (MCP): Servers, clients, integrations, and use cases
AI-Coding: GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, Vibe Coding — how AI is changing the way we build software
Small Language Models: Running AI locally and when you don’t need GPT-scale
Responsible AI: Bias, fairness, ethics — the stuff that actually matters
AI for Africa: Unique use cases, challenges, and opportunities on our continent

📊 Data & Analytics

Microsoft Fabric & Analytics: Data engineering, OneLake, lakehouses, Direct Lake, and business intelligence
Database Development: Performance tuning, architecture, indexing, and modern database tech (because SQL is not dead, and we’ll fight anyone who says otherwise)
Streaming Data & Real-Time Analytics: Kafka, Event Hubs, Spark, Flink, and data in motion
Power Platform & Power Apps: Making AI and data accessible to business users

💻 Development & Beyond

.NET & Development: What’s new, what’s next, and practical developer tips
DevOps & Platform Engineering: CI/CD, infrastructure as code, GitHub Actions
Cybersecurity: Because every developer and data professional needs to think about this
Career & Community: Breaking into tech, levelling up your career, building your personal brand
Real-World Use Cases: Because theory is great, but practice is better!

The event will feature a mix of 50-minute deep dives and 20-minute lightning sessions, delivered by a diverse panel of experts, architects, and Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs), all at the forefront of their fields. As always, we welcome topics covering non-Microsoft tech as well.

And yes, by popular demand (and a touch of infamy), the legendary panel discussion returns, ready to tackle your spiciest AI and data questions live on stage. 🔥

So, whether you’re passionate about AI agents, curious about generative AI, eager to explore data engineering, interested in database development, fascinated by .NET, or want to soak in the latest in Data & AI, there’s something for everyone.

This event is a MUST-ATTEND! 📈🤖🎸

Why Attend

AI Unplugged II — The Maskandi Sessions is a unique opportunity to learn from industry experts, network with peers, and gain valuable insights into the latest trends and technologies in Data & AI. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out in the field, this event offers something for everyone:

Actionable content: no fluffy slides, proven patterns, code, and architectures.
Local + global voices: Microsoft MVPs, architects, thought leaders, and community experts.
Real community: Durban’s friendliest tech crowd, a great hallway track, and plenty of time to network.

Here are some quotes from previous events:

“This wasn’t just a local event but a world class AI and Data Conference for KZN, it reminded me as though I was at the Africa AI Expo last November in Sandton, this is how much this event has grown, and many new corners. Well done to all the amazing speakers and sponsors.”

“Another awesome event 👏 Thanks to the organisers and all the sponsors for having such an amazing conference here in Durban for free. An absolute privilege to attend and listen to such talented individuals and companies do wonders using AI and IT.”

“What an incredible time at the Data and AI event in Durban! We had a blast sharing knowledge and connecting with 230 AI enthusiasts who are as passionate about the future of technology as we are! A massive shoutout to the organisers and sponsors for making this event possible. Your hard work and support made it a huge success!”

“An amazing and insightful event to meet likeminded developers. The speakers were wonderful and the panel discussion was a highlight.”

Speakers

The Call for Speakers for AI Unplugged II is opening soon! 🎤 Watch this space (and our LinkedIn). When it opens, you’ll find the link to submit your session here.

In the meantime, here’s a taste of why you’ll want to get on stage with us:

🔥 Why Should You Speak?

Share your expertise with 200+ passionate attendees from across the AI, data, and developer community
Expand your network by connecting with fellow industry leaders and innovators
Contribute to the growth of the local Data and AI/ML community
Elevate your personal brand and thought leadership: speaking at AI Unplugged II is your maskandi moment: the acoustic set that shows off your real talent 🎸

We especially encourage new speakers to submit. We provide a safe, welcoming environment to get started, whether your session is a 20-minute lightning talk or a 50-minute deep dive. Every maskandi great started with a single song; the same goes for speakers.

Sessions

The sessions will appear here as soon as they are confirmed. As mentioned above, the event is a full day and, in addition to awesome presentations, will allow you to network with your peers.

Student Showcase

The Student Showcase is back. After debuting at Ready Player 2, returning for Merry Christmas People (MCP), and taking the open mic at AI Unplugged, our Future Heroes are now a fully established tradition. 🌟

We know you’re building mind-blowing stuff in Data & AI. The problem? You’re keeping all that genius locked away in your laptops! Time to break out of stealth mode.

This isn’t just another “student corner”; it’s your chance to present your work to industry veterans, potential employers, and your future network.

The Deal

⏰ 50 minutes of pure student power
🎯 Showcase your work (5-10 minutes) to 200+ industry professionals
💼 Direct access to potential employers and mentors
🚀 Launch your reputation in Durban’s tech scene

Got a project that makes you proud? A dataset you’ve tamed? An AI model that actually works? A dashboard that doesn’t look like it was designed in 1995? We want to see it!

Ready to take the stage? Drop us an email at events@aimldatadurban.org with “Student Showcase” in the subject line. Spots are limited (it’s only one session, after all), but if you don’t shoot your shot, you definitely won’t score.

P.S. You need a ticket to the main event first. Then we’ll talk about putting you on stage! 🎫

Registration

Registration has not yet opened. We’ll update this page as soon as it does. We expect a large turnout for this FREE event, so we encourage you to register as soon as registration opens. Space is limited, so don’t miss out!

Agenda

The agenda will appear here as soon as it is confirmed. As mentioned above, this is a full-day event. In addition to awesome presentations, it will give you plenty of time to network with your peers.

Venue

We are once again back at our favourite venue: Richfield College, Umhlanga Campus!

Figure 2: Richfield College, Umhlanga Campus

Richfield College offers modern lecture theatres, strong Wi-Fi, excellent A/V equipment, and secure parking: everything we need for a world-class Data & AI event!

Location Details

Address: Centenary Boulevard, Park Square, 5-9 Park Avenue, Umhlanga

How to get there:

The campus is inside the Park Square complex
Take the elevator in Block C to the first floor, and you’re there!
If you come by car, you enter the parking garage from Centenary Boulevard
Secure parking is available

Get directions to the event

About Azure, AI/ML & Data Community Durban

The Azure, AI/ML & Data Community Durban group is a user group for the community by the community. It is a learning experience where we share insights, learn together, and encourage the community to leverage Azure, AI/ML, and Data to solve problems.

Our Mission: To empower and create heroes of society through Azure, AI/ML, and Data.

We Do Positive Things through innovation and passion.

Contact Us

Have questions? Want to speak? Interested in sponsorship?

Contact the organizing team →