You Call That an AI Agent?

“AI agent” has become an overloaded term, applied to everything from glorified cron jobs to brittle prompt chains. In this talk, we challenge the hype and ask a simple question: what actually qualifies as an AI agent?

We’ll break down common misconceptions, examine real-world implementations, and contrast agent-like systems with workflows, automations, and orchestration pipelines that are often mislabeled. Through concrete examples, we’ll explore autonomy, planning, memory, feedback loops, and failure modes, and show where most systems quietly fall short.

The goal is not to define yet another framework, but to give practitioners a clear mental model to reason about agents, avoid architectural self-deception, and build systems that deserve the name.

Losing the Joy of Tinkering: How AI Changes the Way We Think

I used to spend hours wiring Raspberry Pis, configuring Linux systems, and breaking networks just to rebuild them again. It was messy, hands-on, and deeply satisfying. Now, I type a few words into Cursor CLI and everything just… works. It’s magic—and somehow, a little tragic.

In this talk, we’ll explore how AI automation changes not just our workflows, but our brains. When we stop tinkering, do we stop thinking differently? Are we trading creativity for convenience, mastery for magic? Join me for a reflection (and a gentle provocation) on what we gain—and what we quietly lose—when machines start doing the fun parts for us.

Leaving a Paper Trail for Your Architecture

Most teams don’t fail because they lack the smart people. They fail because nobody remembers why certain decisions were made.

This workshop focuses on using Architectural Decision Records (ADRs) as a practical tool to capture important decisions without turning them into heavyweight documentation. Over the two days, participants will practice identifying which decisions actually matter and why, writing ADRs at the right level of detail, and integrating them into everyday delivery workflows.

From Atoms to Units: Rethinking What We Test

We once believed atoms were indivisible — until we learned they weren’t. Unit testing has followed a similar path. For years, we’ve treated “unit” as something small and sacred — a single class, a method, a function. But in real systems, that tidy definition often doesn’t hold up.

This talk is about what happens when the textbook rules meet messy, real-world code. We’ll rethink what a “unit” really is, explore better ways to test meaningful behavior, and question some long-standing assumptions. Along the way, we’ll take a peek at how AI might help us write better tests — or at least ask better questions.

If you’ve ever wondered why your tests don’t quite match the way your code actually works, you’re not alone. Let’s talk about it.

Continuous failure - Why do we make our lives hard?

This talk is a deep dive into the chaos of a real project that derailed itself through complexity and avoidable mistakes. Whether you’re a developer, team lead, or architect, this talk will challenge you to rethink how we approach software development—and inspire you to make simplicity a priority.

Architecture Decision Records - How not to get lost in the past

The talk shares practical insights from real experiences with introducing Architecture Decision Records (ADRs). Attendees will learn key lessons, gain strategies for overcoming common challenges, and receive solutions to help with ADR implementation.

Architect Mindset Workshop

What does it actually mean to think like an architect?

This workshop focuses on developing the mindset needed to make better architectural decisions in real-world scenarios. Instead of diving into specific technologies, we explore how to approach trade-offs, identify decision drivers, and communicate decisions clearly across teams.

Participants will work through practical examples using the C4 model to visualize architecture at the right level of abstraction, and Architectural Decision Records (ADRs) to capture and communicate key decisions without heavyweight documentation.

We’ll also cover how to balance business needs with technical constraints, avoid overengineering, and recognize when simplicity is the better choice.

By the end of the session, you’ll have a practical framework for decision-making, along with lightweight tools you can immediately apply in your daily work.

This is a 2-day interactive workshop designed for software engineers, senior developers, tech leads, and aspiring architects who are actively involved in architectural decision-making. The session combines short theory blocks with hands-on exercises and group discussions, focusing on real-world scenarios rather than abstract concepts.

Participants are required to bring their own laptops, as they will actively work with the C4 model to create architecture diagrams and practice writing Architectural Decision Records (ADRs) during the workshop.

The content is best suited for intermediate to advanced professionals who want to improve how they approach trade-offs, decision drivers, and cross-team communication. The workshop has been refined through previous internal and external deliveries.