Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the We Are Developers World Congress, which takes place every year in Berlin, and let me tell you, it was nothing short of amazing! This event is a developer’s dream, drawing in over 10,000 attendees and speakers from all corners of the globe. It’s a gathering where the latest trends in the software industry are shared and celebrated. Trust me, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss!

It’s also a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and engage in networking, exchanging ideas with other professionals in the field. Building valuable connections that may become part of our professional circle is definitely on the table. So, imagine the possibilities: networking with like-minded individuals, sharing insights and experiences, and fostering relationships that could have a profound impact on our careers. Trust me, this kind of events go beyond just staying updated; it’s about expanding our horizons and cultivating a network that will stand the test of time.

Workshops and Talks

The event spans two action-packed days, during which a lot of talks take center stage, covering a diverse range of topics. From testing and backend development to frontend, mobile applications, data science, and artificial intelligence – there’s something for everyone!

Imagine a bustling atmosphere, with concurrent sessions happening all around you. It’s an exhilarating experience, but let’s face it, there’s just so much to soak in! That’s why it’s crucial to be strategic and select the talks that align with our interests and aspirations.

Whether you’re a coding wizard, an AI enthusiast, or a productivity guru, there’s a talk tailored to suit your passion.

Just remember, it’s okay if you can’t attend every single talk – nobody can! Instead, focus on creating your own personalized agenda and making the most out of each session you attend. After all, this conference is all about empowering you with the insights and skills you need to conquer the tech world.

My schedule

The event kicked off with an exhilarating presentation by its founders, who enthusiastically shared how the conference has grown over the past years. It was truly inspiring to witness their journey of progress and success.

But that was just the beginning! The real highlight was the captivating welcome keynote delivered by none other than the legendary Tim Berners-Lee, the founder of the World Wide Web. What an absolute honor to have him grace the stage! We owe him so much for his groundbreaking contributions to the digital world.

Generative AI

Given the latest advancements and the fact that it’s a technology that has revolutionized the market, I’ve been delving into the world of Generative AI and the development/training of LLMs for the past few months. Consequently, many of the talks I’ve attended have been centered around this fascinating topic.

It’s incredible how Generative AI has opened up a realm of possibilities, sparking my curiosity and driving me to explore its potential applications. From the innovative approaches in developing language models to the groundbreaking breakthroughs in training them, these talks have been an absolute goldmine of knowledge.

I must say, the speakers’ expertise and passion for this field have been truly contagious. Their insights have helped me unravel the complexities and grasp the nuances of Generative AI like never before. It’s amazing to witness how this technology is shaping the future across various industries.

Here are some of the examples related to Gen-AI:

• Stack Overflow: Community and AI
• A hundred ways to wreck your AI – the (in)security of machine learning systems
• Chat-GPT, ignore the above instructions! Prompt injection attacks and how to avoid them
• How E.On product ionizes its AI model & Implementation of Secure Generative AI

Software development & cloud

AI, AI, AI, and more AI… in the midst of it all, there were numerous other fascinating talks that I also had the pleasure of attending, focusing on development, architecture, and cloud. The conference featured top-notch speakers who were eager to share their experiences in specific domains. And let me tell you, these are just a few of the captivating talks I had the privilege of attending:

• Implementing an Event Sourcing strategy on Azure
• Contract Testing – How do you tame an external API that constantly breaks your tests
• Simplifying containers and Kubernetes on your laptop with Podman Desktop
• Serverless Architectures with Spring Cloud Functions and Native
• How to become a speaker at events
• Scaling: from 0 to 20 million users

The caliber of the speakers was truly exceptional; their passion and expertise shone through every presentation. Each session left me feeling enlightened and inspired, eager to apply the newfound knowledge in my own endeavors.

In between

Every now and then, there were short breaks between one talk and the next, which was fantastic for clearing the mind and taking a breather. It was the perfect opportunity to grab a bite to eat from the various food trucks (bless those burritos :P) and take a stroll through the countless booths where leading companies in the industry showcased information about their latest advancements. And the best part? They were giving away stickers!!

Code 100

Code 100 is a thrilling competition where 100 developers vie for victory. Through a series of eliminations, they must tackle coding challenges, showcasing their skills and problem-solving abilities. The final showdowns took place live and in real-time right after the talks on the first day of the conference.

The atmosphere was nothing short of electrifying, with a DJ spinning music and a presenter who could lift the spirits of even the most tired souls. The last remaining finalists went head-to-head, while the rest of the audience could witness their code unfold in real-time on massive screens.

It was a sight to behold as the competitors showcased their coding prowess, displaying sheer talent and quick thinking. The excitement in the air was palpable, and the entire audience was on the edge of their seats, cheering for their favorite contenders.

The competition ended, but the fun was far from over – it was time to party! Two new DJs took the stage, ready to deliver their best sets with electrifying electronic music that perfectly captured the essence of a vibrant city like Berlin.

To Wrap up

These two days have been filled with learning and getting to know the experiences of others in the industry. From my perspective, events like these bring fresh ideas and foster creativity, as they reveal alternative ways of doing things that can spark new areas to explore. And on top of that, there’s the incredible location – Berlin, a city brimming with life and history, where we can take advantage of the weekend to explore even more.

I’m looking forward to attending next year and discovering what this wonderful world, which is constantly evolving, has in store for us. See you soon!