Spencer Schneidenbach
Consultant, Microsoft MVP
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
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Spencer Schneidenbach is a Microsoft MVP and CTO/President of Aviron Software, a cloud and software development firm specializing in .NET, React, React Native, and Microsoft Azure with employees all over the world. Visit our website at https://avironsoftware.com for more information.
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AI and LLMs: What Every Executive Needs to Know
In this session, we’ll cut through the technical jargon to give executives a clear and actionable understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs). You’ll learn what these technologies are, how they’re transforming industries, and the strategic opportunities they present for your organization.
We’ll explore real-world applications, from improving operational efficiency to delivering personalized customer experiences, and discuss the risks and ethical considerations every leader should understand. Whether you’re planning your organization’s next big innovation or looking to stay ahead of the curve, this session will provide the insights needed to make informed decisions about AI adoption.
By the end, you’ll walk away with the knowledge to confidently lead AI-driven initiatives, unlocking new potential for your business.
LLMs/AI and the .NET tooling landscape
Have you jumped fully onto the AI hype train yet? Maybe you’re a developer who’s dipped their toes into the AI waters with ChatGPT or you’ve built a small proof-of-concept using OpenAI’s API.
Imagine giving your applications knowledge on how to easily call functions in your own code depending on the given task. If your software booked reservations for restaurants, imagine how awesome it would be to teach ChatGPT how to book those reservations – with only a few lines of code.
Join Spencer as we explore how Microsoft’s Semantic Kernel library can integrate your applications with AI services like ChatGPT. We’ll discuss how Semantic Kernel can help teach your AIs how to invoke your own code using plugins, how to teach AIs to optimize code calling, and how you can leverage retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to further enhance AI’s context around your application’s data.
Behind the Streams: An In-Depth Look at Machine Learning-Powered Analysis of FPS Gameplay
Streaming is one of best forms of entertainment for gamers, casual and hardcore alike – and one of Spencer’s favorite games to watch is Escape From Tarkov. However, while streams can be fun to watch, they often last several hours, and not everyone has the time to sit through hours of gameplay to catch the most thrilling moments.
In this session, we'll dive into how Spencer used machine learning, code, and media processing tools to identify individual games within 8+ hour streams – from knowing the map being played on to the kill count within the game to knowing exactly when the most intense moments occurred. We'll explore how this data is analyzed, timestamped, stored, and ultimately used to cut the raw stream into individual, watchable segments of gameplay.
This engaging session will spotlight a series of technologies that was used to ultimately solve the problem: how can I watch the best games, on my favorite maps, for my favorite streamer, LVNDMARK? If you're a developer interested in machine learning, AI, data processing, or media analysis, this session will leave you with insights, inspiration, and a new perspective on the powerful tools we developers have available to us.
An In-Depth Look At Minimal APIs in ASP.NET Core
Minimal APIs are one of the most talked about features in ASP.NET Core - they make starting and running your .NET API super simple. But how do they fit into the world of .NET web development? Are they really a solid replacement for controllers?
In this session, Spencer will explore minimal APIs and how they fit into the real world of .NET API development. We'll go over how they fit into existing and greenfield applications. We'll discuss their strengths, the internals of how they work, and when you should avoid them and stick to controllers. Finally, we'll talk about how they have evolved in .NET 7, 8, and beyond.
Using C# Expression Trees in the Real World
Entity Framework is the de facto data access standard in .NET, and for good reason – its simplicity and power enables anyone to quickly write and execute strongly-typed queries using LINQ. Have you ever wondered how Entity Framework translates even the most complicated of LINQ queries to SQL? The answer is simple – expression trees.
Used by many libraries we know and love (including EF, AutoMapper, and NHibernate), expression trees provide a lot of power in an easy-to-use API surface. In this session, Spencer will unravel the mysteries of expression trees. Attendees will learn what expression trees are, how to create them, and how libraries like Entity Framework and AutoMapper use them to perform routine tasks.
Using Immutable Data Structures in C# and .NET
Immutable objects - aka objects whose properties and fields can't change after instantiation - are one of the fundamental pillars of functional programming. Yet, it also has other great uses in classically object-oriented languages such as C#. Immutability can help make your code cleaner, easier to reason about, and reduce runtime errors. But how can you do that without making it feel like you're fighting against the typically-mutable C# and the entire .NET Framework?
In this session, Spencer will discuss immutability and how you can apply it in your day-to-day as a .NET/C# developer. We'll go over immutable objects, immutable collections, and how you can refactor your code to successfully apply immutability to your exisitng codebase. Spencer will also discuss the implications of introducing immutability to your code, both positive and negative.
Building a Software Company From The Ground Up - Facts, Myths, and Everything In Between
Ever wonder what being an independent software consultant is like - or better yet, have you ever wanted to be one? Does getting your own business off the ground seem intimidating or difficult? How about finding and managing clients - and most importantly, getting paid? How do you keep the IRS and the government happy?
And between all of that, how do you find time to do what you were hired to do - build software?
In this session, Spencer breaks down how he started out as a software consultant, from his first side project (earning him $75!) all the way down to his current day-to-day - what he does now, how he got there, and most importantly - the mistakes he made along the way. We'll talk about the nitty gritty of client interaction, estimates, billing, design, and everything in between. We'll also talk about the importance of business structure, payroll, taxes, insurance - the whole nine yards.
Come prepared, because after this sixty minute talk, you'll have all the tools you'll need to start your own consulting business.
Running Background Tasks in .NET Core - In App, The Cloud, and Beyond
When it comes to running background tasks in .NET Core, there are a bunch of choices available, ranging from the built-in and straightforward (BackgroundService) to more fully-featured NuGet packages (like HangFire) - but knowing which one is appropriate for your use case is not always obvious. Does your task need to run on a timer? Is it short-lived or long-running? What if your task fails? How do you best enable recovery for tasks that fail?
In this session, Spencer will break down the multitude of options for running background tasks in .NET Core. We'll discuss their advantages, disadvantages, use cases, ease of use, development experience, and more. By the end of the session, you'll have the information you need to make an informed decision about how you want to run your background tasks in .NET Core.
The State of Modern APIs - Comparing GraphQL, REST, gRPC, and Async Messaging
APIs are a huge part of our connected world - they drive our apps and are the main points of integration between applications. There are a number of technologies available that have emerged as major players in the API space, from REST to GraphQL to gRPC and even asynchronous messaging - but with them comes a lot of hype, dogma, and misinformation. How do you best evaluate which technology to use when figuring out the best integration patterns between services?
In this session, Spencer will compare and contrast four major API technology options, their ecosystems, and their adoption and learning curves. We'll discuss each technologies' strengths and optimal use cases, along with the weaknesses/challenges found with adopting any of the technologies.
May the best API win...! (Hint: there isn't one.)
Agentic AI In .NET – A Case Study
Curious about a real-world implementation of AI in .NET looks like? Have your dipped your toes in the deep AI waters but need some ideas on how to let the (AI) rubber meet the (business) road?
In this session, Spencer will break down a project where he was put in charge of integrating Azure OpenAI into an application. We’ll discuss how he leveraged Microsoft’s Semantic Kernel to rapidly iterate and give the LLM access to data within the target system, how he used prompt engineering and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to enhance the efficacy of the AI’s responses, and how he cost-optimized the LLM as the project went on, reducing the costs from the initial deployment by 10 times.
Come to this jam-packed session and get the lessons learned from integrating AI using .NET as well as an in-depth overview of the tools involved.
Reinventing Yourself: A Developer’s Roadmap to the AI Revolution
As developers, we’ve mastered the art of building apps across various platforms. But the landscape is shifting - AI and large language models (LLMs) are transforming how we solve problems and develop applications. From debugging with ChatGPT to generating full frontends with AI-powered tools to fully integrating LLMs into production systems, the pace of change is accelerating with zero sign of slowing down.
In this session, Spencer shares his journey from traditional software engineering to a hybrid role at the intersection of engineering and LLM data science. This isn’t just about AI-assisted coding - it’s about fully embracing the AI revolution, from embedding LLMs into the applications we build to a glimpse into what the future will look like.
By the end of this talk, you'll gain real-world insights from an AI practitioner on how to reinvent yourself as a developer equipped to navigate the rapidly evolving world of LLMs and AI.
Building AI Powered Apps Using C# and .NET
In this full-day hands-on workshop, we'll explore the basics of LLMs and demonstrate how to integrate AI-powered emerging technologies into your .NET apps.
From embeddings to RAG to chat completions to Semantic Kernel, this hands-on workshop will allow you to practice the skills necessary to be a software developer prepared to enter the next era of software development.
Requirements:
* A laptop (Windows or Mac)
* Visual Studio Code, JetBrains Rider, or Visual Studio (the demos will all be using Visual Studio Code)
* An OpenAI account with some prepaid credits
* Experience with C#
* Experience with ASP.NET Core a plus, but not strictly required
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Spencer Schneidenbach
Consultant, Microsoft MVP
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
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