GDG Cloud Sydney

GDG Cloud Sydney is back for a meetup this May! Join us for an evening of interesting technical talks.

Come Hire!
The meetup allocates 10 minutes to people seeking technical jobs or with open roles at their company.

This meetup is in the in-person format; there are no plans to stream the event*

Partners
This meetup is organised in partnership with Mantel Group. They harness technologies that transform business operations in the real world. With capabilities spanning Cloud, Data, Digital and Security, they merge emerging technologies with innovative design and industry expertise to enhance your business. With deep technical specialisation and as leading Amazon, Google and Microsoft cloud partners, the depth and breadth our solutions offer is unparalleled. Mantel Group is your partner for end-to-end digital transformation.

Ranked in Australia's top 10 Best Workplaces by Great Place To Work Australia for four years in a row, we are people-focused and uphold strong values. Our culture champions trust, empowerment, and diversity with a lean structure emphasizing collaboration, direct communication, and equity.

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"Dented Code teaches coding skills that you need to become a full stack developer and help you advance your career, pursue your dream job, or enjoy the freedom of life as a freelancer." - Learn more on their website.

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We will also give out two 1-year subscriptions from JetBrains  to any of JetBrains' IDEs in a raffle. You can use the 100% discount code on CLion, DataGrip, DataSpell, GoLand, IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate, PhpStorm, PyCharm, ReSharper, ReSharper C++, Rider, RubyMine, WebStorm, or dotUltimate.

Talks
Talk 1: Kubernetes: Orchestrating the Container Symphony - From Pods to Production on GKE - Anupam Phoghat

Let's explore the world of Kubernetes with a simple yet solid, story-telling approach. We'll discuss core concepts like Pods, Deployments, Services, and Jobs, understanding how they orchestrate containerised applications. Then, we'll look at how Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) simplifies Kubernetes management, letting you focus on building and deploying applications with ease. This talk covers Kubernetes fundamentals with practical insights into managed cloud solutions.

About the speaker - Anupam

Anupam Phoghat is a Google Developer Expert and the Founder & CTO of Nebulous Action, a cutting-edge consulting company helping organisations navigate their digital transformation journeys. With deep consulting experience across enterprise IT, Anu is a T-shaped consultant—broadly skilled across various domains, with deep expertise in platform engineering and AI. A strong advocate for Google Cloud technologies, Anu has created several in-demand online courses on platforms like KodeKloud, focusing on Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) and automation. Passionate about solving real business problems through design thinking, Anu is committed to delivering impactful outcomes, not just outputs. Known for using storytelling to simplify and share technical insights, Anu actively contributes to the developer community, inspiring others through engaging talks and real-world lessons.

Talk 2:  Agentic AI: Challenges and Opportunities - Tanya Dixit

Agentic AI pushes beyond narrow task-oriented models by embracing autonomous planning and adaptability, drawing inspiration from human decision-making. However, building such systems raises unique challenges, including rigorous evaluation, benchmark creation, and robust session and memory management—crucial elements for ensuring sustained coherence and reliable performance during real-world deployment.

In this talk, we will examine these core challenges and introduce practical strategies for addressing them in real-world use cases.

About the speaker - Tanya

Tanya is a Generative AI Solutions Architect at Google, where she drives AI innovation and strategic programs, leveraging technologies like Vertex AI and Kubeflow. Previously, she led machine learning initiatives at Crayon, specializing in LLMOps and cloud platforms such as AWS and Azure. As the former Editor-in-Chief of The Future Stack, Canberra’s first AI newsletter, she helped shape AI thought leadership. Tanya’s experience spans across industries, including developing AI solutions for bushfire risk analysis and quantum decoders, as well as a strong academic foundation with a Master’s in Machine Learning from ANU.

Event Schedule
5:30pm - Event doors open

5:45pm - Introduction and hiring connect for those hiring/wanting to be hired (5 mins for each group, and every individual gets 1 min max)

6:00pm -  Kubernetes: Orchestrating the Container Symphony - From Pods to Production on GKE - Anupam Phogat

6:45pm - TBD - Tanya Dixit

7:30pm - Raffle for the 2 JetBrains IDE licenses

8:00pm - Event end

Agenda

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Speakers

Anupam Phoghat - Nebulous Action (Founder)

I am a seasoned IT professional with years of experience in the field. I have extensive experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and currently hold many professional level Google Cloud and other industry certifications. I am also certified in Kubernetes, and have a deep understanding of the core concepts of Kubernetes.
I am passionate about sharing my knowledge with others by activel…

Tanya Dixit - Google (GenAI Solution Architect)

Tanya is a Generative AI Solutions Architect at Google, where she drives AI innovation and strategic programs, leveraging technologies like Vertex AI and Kubeflow. Previously, she led machine learning initiatives at Crayon, specializing in LLMOps and cloud platforms such as AWS and Azure. As the former Editor-in-Chief of The Future Stack, Canberra’s first AI newsletter, she helped shape AI tho…

Hosts

Reeya Maharajan - The Butcher's Block Group (Junior Developer)

Gary Lou - GDSC USYD (AI/ML Technical Lead)

Bachelor of Science (Data Science) and Bachelor of Laws at The University of Sydney.

Rohit Maharjan

Sajan Shrestha

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Partners

Mantel Group (https://mantelgroup.com.au/)
Mantel Group harnesses technologies that transform business operations in the real world. With capabilities spanning Cloud, Data, Digital, and Security, they merge emerging technologies with innovative design and industry expertise to enhance your business. With deep technical specialisation and as leading Amazon, Google and Microsoft cloud partners, the depth and breadth our solutions offer is unparalleled. Mantel Group is your partner for end-to-end digital transformation.

Ranked in Australia's top 10 Best Workplaces by Great Place To Work Australia for four years in a row, we are people-focused and uphold strong values. Our culture champions trust, empowerment, and diversity, with a lean structure that emphasises collaboration, direct communication and equity.

JetBrains (https://www.jetbrains.com)
At JetBrains, code is our passion. Ever since we started, back in 2000, we have strived to make the strongest, most effective developer tools on earth. By automating routine checks and corrections, our tools speed up production, freeing developers to grow, discover and create.

Our Mission
We make professional software development a more productive and enjoyable experience.

Dented Code (https://dentedcode.com)
At Dented Code, we have developed an innovative coding Bootcamp approach to empower candidates with cutting-edge technology and skills to thrive in the Australian multi-billion digital economy. In 2021, Dented Code started transferring those programming skills to students through BootCamp courses, in-school workshops, community upskill initiatives as well as online tutorials. Through DetedCode’s BootCamp, students get equipped with in-demand coding and web development skills.

Google Cloud (https://cloud.withgoogle.com/next/sf/)

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Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-cloud-sydney-presents-gdg-sydney-meetup-may-2025/.

GDG Sydney X GDG on Campus Australian Institute of Higher Education, presents a Build with AI Hands-on Workshop to build your own AI-Powered learning assistant with Gemini

In this hands-on workshop, you'll build an AI-powered application that generates personalised learning materials using Google's Gemini Pro model. By specifying a topic, learning style (visual, auditory, or kinesthetic), and desired output (summary, quiz, or examples), participants will create dynamic educational content tailored to their individual needs.

This session will guide you through prompt engineering techniques, AI content adaptation, and deployment on Google Cloud, showcasing how generative AI can transform learning experiences.

In this hands-on workshop we'll dive deep into the transformative potential of Generative AI in education by guiding participants through the creation of a personalised learning content generator powered by Google's cutting-edge Gemini Pro model. Participants will learn how to craft effective prompts that instruct Gemini to generate tailored learning materials based on individual preferences. The workshop will cover the fundamental principles of prompt engineering, demonstrating how to adapt content for various learning styles such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic, and to generate diverse educational outputs including summaries, quizzes, and illustrative examples. By integrating with Google Cloud Platform's Vertex AI, attendees will gain firsthand experience in leveraging AI to create dynamic and engaging learning experiences.

Beyond the technical implementation, this workshop will explore the pedagogical implications and ethical considerations surrounding AI-driven personalised learning. Participants will learn practical techniques for interacting with the Gemini Pro API using Python. The workshop will also touch upon strategies for evaluating the quality and relevance of AI-generated educational content and iterating on prompts to achieve optimal results. By the end of this session, attendees will possess a foundational understanding of how to harness the power of GenAI to create more adaptive and effective learning tools, paving the way for innovation in educational technology.

Learning Objectives

Learn how to use Gemini to generate customised educational content.
Adapt AI-generated content to different learning preferences.
Master prompt engineering techniques for personalised learning materials.
Deploy your AI-powered tool on Google Cloud for scalability and real-world applications.

Workshop Content

Getting Started with Google Cloud

Creating a Google Cloud project and enabling the Vertex AI API.
Setting up your development environment (Cloud Shell or local setup).

Developing AI-Powered Learning Materials

Defining learning styles and user needs.
Crafting prompt templates for personalised content generation.
Integrating Gemini Pro using the Vertex AI Python SDK.
Step-by-step Python code walkthrough.

Optimising AI Responses and Ethical Considerations

Testing and refining prompts for best results.
Addressing biases, ethical AI usage, and real-world applications.

Pre-requisites

Basic Python Programming: Familiarity with Python syntax and fundamental programming concepts.
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Fundamentals: Basic understanding of GCP services and navigation.
Basic API Knowledge: Understanding how to send API requests and handle responses.
Laptop 💻 Required: Bring your device for hands-on coding exercises.

Google Cloud credits will be provided.

Why Attend?

✅ Gain hands-on experience with AI-powered content generation.

✅ Learn practical AI skills you can apply immediately.

✅ Connect with fellow developers, AI enthusiasts, and industry experts.

✅ Enjoy food, drinks, and valuable networking opportunities.

Don’t miss this chance to explore Generative AI with Gemini! Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, this workshop has something for everyone.

About the speaker AnupamAnupam Phoghat is a Google Developer Expert and the Founder & CTO of Nebulous Action, a cutting-edge consulting company helping organisations navigate their digital transformation journeys. With deep consulting experience across enterprise IT, Anu is a T-shaped consultant—broadly skilled across various domains, with deep expertise in platform engineering and AI. A strong advocate for Google Cloud technologies, Anu has created several in-demand online courses on platforms like KodeKloud, focusing on Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) and automation. Passionate about solving real business problems through design thinking, Anu is committed to delivering impactful outcomes, not just outputs. Known for using storytelling to simplify and share technical insights, Anu actively contributes to the developer community, inspiring others through engaging talks and real-world lessons.

Agenda

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Speaker

Anupam Phoghat - Nebulous Action (Founder)

I am a seasoned IT professional with years of experience in the field. I have extensive experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and currently hold many professional level Google Cloud and other industry certifications. I am also certified in Kubernetes, and have a deep understanding of the core concepts of Kubernetes.
I am passionate about sharing my knowledge with others by activel…

Hosts

Sajan Shrestha

Amri Niure - GDG on Campus AIH (Organizer)

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Partners

Google Cloud (https://cloud.withgoogle.com/next/sf/)

Dented Code (https://dentedcode.com)
At Dented Code, we have developed an innovative coding Bootcamp approach to empower candidates with cutting-edge technology and skills to thrive in the Australian multi-billion-dollar digital economy. In 2021, Dented Code began transferring its programming skills to students through BootCamp courses, in-school workshops, community upskilling initiatives, and online tutorials. Through Dented Code’s BootCamp, students get equipped with in-demand coding and web development skills.

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Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-cloud-sydney-presents-build-with-ai-build-your-own-ai-powered-learning-assistant-with-gemini/.

GDG Sydney presents a Build with AI Hands-on Workshop to build an AI Agent.

Explore the land of Agentic AI, and experience the transformative potential of Generative AI in this hands-on workshop. Discover how to build an AI-powered timesheet agent that automates time sheet-related tasks.

Discover how to:

Leverage pre-trained models and customize them to your needs with Gemini 2.0
Deploy Generative AI solutions on Google Cloud for scalability.
Create captivating user experiences with AI-powered features.
Address ethical considerations in Generative AI applications.

Requirements:

To follow along with the workshop, you must bring your laptop 💻

Talk by Leong Lai Fong (GDE - Cloud and ML, WTM Ambassador)

AI Agent with Gemini

As the AI landscape rapidly evolves, a particularly exciting development is the rise of AI agents. These aren't just simple chatbots; they are sophisticated systems where advanced language models actively manage their operations and use various tools to achieve specific goals, all under a developer’s direction and supervision. Gemini 2.0 Flash combines multimodal input, enhanced reasoning, and natural language understanding to create images. Gemini 2.0 Flash is creating new possibilities for developers to build AI agents.

In this session, you will learn about the key components of an AI agent: model, tools, and reasoning. Next, you will learn how to build and deploy an agent using the Gemini 2.0 Flash and Vertex AI SDK.

About the speaker Lai
Lai Fong, a research and AI enthusiast, is particularly interested in 2D computer vision, 3D computer modeling, and artificial intelligence. She has 10 years of working experience in software engineering before advancing her career as an AI engineer. She is a Google Cloud Certified Professional Machine Learning Engineer. Besides that, she is a Google Developer Expert in Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and a Google Developer Expert in Machine Learning. Outside of R&D, she loves socializing and getting acquainted with new tech trends. She is the Women Techmakers Kuala Lumpur community lead, inspired as a woman in tech, and continues empowering the next generation of technologists and bringing diversity to the stages! 

Workshop by Yash Mehta (GDE Google Cloud)
Build an AI-Powered Timesheet Agent with Gemini
Imagine if you could reclaim hours each week lost to manual timesheet management—time you could spend innovating or enjoying life. Tired of spending endless hours on manual timesheet entry? Join us for a hands-on workshop, where you'll learn how to build an AI-powered timesheet agent that automates your data entry tasks, identifies missing entries, and provides proactive suggestions. You'll create a system that seamlessly integrates with SQL databases using custom tools.

About the speaker YashYash is a seasoned technology consultant with a track record of successfully delivering large and complex projects, specialising in cutting-edge technologies such as AI & MLOps, real-time data processing, cloud architecture, and data engineering. With a deep understanding of Google Cloud Platform (GCP), he is recognised as one of the Google Cloud Champion Innovators in ANZ, specialising in Cloud AI and ML. Yash has collaborated with diverse clients across telecommunications, media & marketing, financial services, retail, and e-commerce sectors, delivering innovative, tailored solutions.

Agenda

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Speakers

Lai Fong Leong

Lai Fong is a research enthusiast, particularly in 2D computer vision, 3D computer modelling and artificial intelligence. Outside of R&D, she loves socialising and learning about new technology trends. She is Women Techmakers Kuala Lumpur community lead, inspired as Women in Tech and continues to bring diversity to the stages!

Yash Mehta - Vivanti (Consultant)

Yash is a seasoned technology consultant with a track record of successfully delivering large and complex projects, specialising in cutting-edge technologies such as AI & MLOps, real-time data processing, cloud architecture, and data engineering. With a deep understanding of Google Cloud Platform (GCP), he is recognised as one of the Google Cloud Champion Innovators in ANZ, specialising in…

Hosts

Rohit Maharjan

Sajan Shrestha

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Partner

Google Cloud (https://cloud.withgoogle.com/next/sf/)

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Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-cloud-sydney-presents-build-with-ai-agentic-ai-and-build-an-ai-powered-timesheet-agent/.