DevTalks: Powering Innovation with AI

Online

November, 21

AI

Dev

Talks

Join our event to explore how AI is transforming key areas of software engineering – from product development and edge computing to data architecture and personalization. Our expert speakers will share real-world insights, practical frameworks, and future-facing trends shaping the next era of intelligent technology.

DevTalks takes AI innovation to a new level – this time, in the Metaverse.

Agenda (CET)

Event opening

10:00 - 10:15

10:15 - 11:05

Looking Ahead: What’s on the AI Horizon?

AI is changing fast – but how far can current models really go? While some experts predict the imminent arrival of AGI, today’s LLMs still face major challenges with data, memory, and reasoning. In this talk, James Lennon will unpack: - Why LLMs hit their limits - How rising token costs shape the future of AI - What Generative UI means for businesses and users

James Lennon,

Chief Technology Officer

11:05 - 11:55

Build Agentic Architecture with MCP & A2A

Agentic AI is already redefining how modern software is designed and operated. With new frameworks like MCP and A2A, enterprises can now design scalable, secure, and autonomous systems. Join a talk with Lucian Gruia to learn about: - Core principles of Agentic AI architecture - Practical use of the MCP and A2A frameworks - Scalability, security, and performance challenges

Lucian Gruia,

Head of Data Science & AI at Ciklum

11:55 - 12:45

Hyper-Personalization with AI

Sarah Topping,

Intelligent

Automation Lead

Artificial Intelligence allows brands to treat every customer like their only one. From real-time offers to adaptive experiences, personalization is getting smarter and faster. Join Sarah Topping’s talk to learn about: - Realities of the hyper-personalized market - AI-driven real-time customer journeys - Balancing innovation with privacy and ethical concerns

Networking zone

12:45 - 13:30

13:30 - 14:20

Edge AI & Distributed Inference Orchestration

As the world shifts toward smaller, faster, and more efficient AI models, the focus turns to the edge. Join Maksym Pavlov’s talk to discover how distributed inference orchestration and compact language models are driving new possibilities. Key takeaways: - Designing distributed AI workloads - Voice-activated systems and small language models - Real-world examples of efficient deployment

Maksym Pavlov,

AI R&D Director

Discover how product development is evolving in the AI era – and what the future of truly connected, intelligent product ecosystems looks like. This panel will bring together leaders in product, design, and data to explore: - How AI helps teams manage shifting requirements and scope creep - Bridging the gap between engineering effort and real product value - Tackling cross-functional friction through shared data, language, and context

Panel discussion: How AI is Transforming Product Development

Big (Boss) Bot is Watching

Bohdan Shestakov,

Engineering Director

14:20 - 15:10

15:10 - 16:00

AI-powered monitoring tools are reshaping how we measure productivity – but not without risks. Bohdan Shestakov’s talk will explore the ethical dilemmas behind algorithmic oversight and help you understand how to introduce these tools without breaking trust or morale. Bohdan will cover: - The pros and cons of AI in developer monitoring - Ethical risks: privacy, bias, and burnout - Building fair and transparent productivity systems

Event conclusion

16:00 - 16:15

16:15 - 17:00

Post-event networking

Olga Artemasova,

Global Head of Business Analysis CoE

Sasha Lebedieva,

Expert Product Designer

Ester Svetlana Korobochkina,

Product Director

Lucian Gruia,

Head of Data Science & AI

Meet the Speakers

Chief Technology Officer at Ciklum

James is responsible for Ciklum’s AI strategy, leading a global engineering and R&D team and driving innovation through AI. With over 15 years of experience in digital transformation, he specializes in GenAI, redefining software delivery and user experiences.

James Lennon

Head of Data Science & AI at Ciklum

Lucian delivers enterprise-grade AI solutions for the Aerospace, Telecom, and MedTech industries, drawing on over 13 years of software development experience. He also mentors over 700 professionals through Ciklum’s AI Academy and leads global engineering teams across 8 time zones.

Lucian Gruia

Intelligent Automation Lead at Ciklum

Sarah is an automation leader with 6+ years of experience driving AI strategy and large-scale implementations. She focuses on generative and agentic AI, helping organizations bridge business and technology to achieve measurable transformation.

Sarah Topping

Maksym Pavlov

AI R&D Director at Ciklum

With over a decade of experience at Ciklum, Maksym has held key roles from Team Lead and Architect to Head of .NET and AI Engineering Director. Combining deep tech expertise with a passion for innovation, he now focuses on advancing AI and Machine Learning solutions that drive real business impact.

Engineering Director at Ciklum

Bohdan brings 14 years of experience in software development and building high-performing engineering teams (previously leading teams of up to 1200 engineers). He specializes in scaling product development from concept to market, aligning technical strategy with business growth and client success.

Bohdan Shestakov

Global Head of Business Analysis CoE

Olga brings extensive experience across Business Analysis, Product Management, Pre-Sales, and Delivery in multiple domains – from FinTech and Insurance to eCommerce. She focuses on designing AI-powered yet human-driven products and processes that bridge business goals with real user needs.

Olga Artemasova

Sasha Lebedieva

Expert Product Designer

Sasha is a seasoned professional with over 8 years of experience creating clean, intuitive, and scalable design solutions for both B2B and B2C products. Passionate about usability and brand expression, she excels at translating complex business objectives and user needs into cohesive product experiences.

Product Director at Ciklum

Ester helps global clients achieve product-market fit, scale revenue, and uncover new growth opportunities through strategic product leadership. With over 16 years in product management, she has led the creation of AI-powered products – from predictive analytics and automation to generative AI experiences.

Ester Svetlana Korobochkina