Open Tech Calendar

We are delighted to bring the very first PyData meetup in Edinburgh to you! We have a great speaker joining us, and we'll be introducing ourselves, along with the PyData community and NumFOCUS, which organises PyData worldwide.

We are pulling together a schedule of great speakers - and would be interested to hear from anyone who would like to contribute to our schedule in the coming months.

TALK DETAILS
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Rasa: open source conversational AI to build next generation chatbots

Presenter: Joey Faulkener
Joey is an astronomer turned Machine Learning scientist at rasa.ai. He studied at Oxford University and is currently writing up a Ph.D. in Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh, while simultaneously working on rasa.ai

Abstract:
The revolution-in-waiting for user experience is conversational AI, and this revolution should be available to everyone. The ability to communicate with your computer via a fulfilling and useful conversation will change the way we approach user interaction. Recent advances in machine learning have made this goal not only possible to reach, but possible to bring to the developer community at large. At Rasa we have developed a set of open-source Python libraries which can comprehend natural language and handle complex, interesting conversations. We utilise deep learning to bypass existing rigid conversational norms (state machines, if/else statements, etc.) and allow developers to make awesome bots simply by talking to them.

LIGHTNING TALKS
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Have you a project you want to highlight? A new library you want to show? Lightning talks have been really popular at other PyData meetup, so lets get the ideas flowing in Edinburgh!
No need to sign up beforehand - just come along and do so on the evening.
Anything goes (within reason!) and no more than 5 minutes long - we'll be bringing the alarm clock!

LOGISTICS
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Doors open at 1815, talks kick off with an introduction to ourselves and the PyData community at 1845 and we'll aim to wrap up around 2030.

Please unRSVP in good time if you realise you can't make it to help us plan.

Follow @pydataedinburgh (twitter.com) for updates and early announcements. See you on the 1st!

WHAT TO BRING
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Enthusiasm, ideas, community spirit, suggestions for lightening talks

SPONSORS
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We are looking to find sponsors to help support us running these meet ups - if you are interested, or think your company could be, please speak to one of the organisers on the night, or get in touch thorugh Meetup.

CODE OF CONDUCT
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The PyData Code of Conduct governs this meetup. ( pydata.org ) To discuss any issues or concerns relating to the code of conduct or the behavior of anyone at a PyData meetup, please contact NumFOCUS Executive Director Leah Silen ([masked]; [masked]) or the group organizer.