#008: agentcons, rebranding and in-betweens
it's the middle of the year, time to reflect, rest and recenter
This newsletter was to go out last week. Instead, I allowed myself to rest. A week later, I'm seated at a cafe letting my hands guide me as I prepare for this newsletter to go out next week.
In the AI world, the announcements keep ramping up. The main events are over, but with AI, there is always something new. And over the last couple of days, I have chosen to focus on learning all the new things I glossed over, building and creating. I enjoy writing, and all the creative hobbies that come with it, so during this period, expect me to double down more on content and publish more stories.
Also, as part of the multi-passionate club, I have found new ideas and creative ways to create, and allowing myself to choose whichever medium I deem to create.
AgentCons
On March 13, we hosted the second AgentCon in Nairobi, Kenya. A chance to gather together, learn all the hype around Agents and how we can build our own personal agents. During the event, I had a breakout session talking on how you can build your own Agent with Prompty and Azure AI Foundry.
On June, 26th and 28th, I went to India for AgentCon Chennai, and AgentCon Mumbai where I delivered a Keynote in each location. In my keynote, the flow was simple. Explaining what agents are, and the tools you can use to build them. Copilot Studio for low-code agents, Azure AI Foundry and Semantic Kernel for code first agents. And my favourite, was showcasing my Foundry Local Browser Automation Agent. Editing and looking forward to upload all posts on YouTube.
What else, because there’s always something else:
Upcoming talks: Panel session at the office with Akira Chik, an Agents Workshop at Zetech University, OSCA Fest (fingers crossed) and AI Summit Kenya Keynote.
We just concluded JS AI Build-a-thon — AI for JavaScript developers. It’s been beautiful seeing devs rally around it and build. Loving all the love on LinkedIn.
Working on some demos: MCP with Microsoft Docs, RAG with the different platforms, a new series - my referencia, and creating an executive assistant named Andi, just for vibes because I need to test GitHub Copilot Agent Mode.
We are deep in Season 2 of Model Mondays! So far topics covered include MCP, Phi and more.
Improved my personal blog, changing the font, adding tags, archives and of course, a new post as well.
The In-Betweens
Layoffs hit Microsoft again, in addition to all that has been happening in Kenya, so it has been a heavy couple of days. I have been trying to find ways to unplug, rest, relax and ask for help whenever possible. And a plus - catching up with friends and moving from isolation.
Here’s what’s up:
Hobby: Accepting the different forms I get to express myself and finding joy in drawing and blogging.
Podcast: I have been listening to the Diary of a CEO, the episode by Simon Sinek on AI is a must listen to. Whether a pessimist or optimist, we are sure AI is going to change the world.
Show: watching Young Sheldon as I wind up my day.
Fiction: Hit my reading target of the year, 25/25. Helped that I read Jenny Han summer trilogy during my flights.
Non-fiction: Wrapping up on Regrets of the dead by Bronnie Ware, it has been a heavy read, so one step at a time.
Experiences: It’s Kenyan winter so my debate is whether to sleep and rot in bed, or go outside and look for indoor experiences. Something I am not good at. That’s it for the in-betweens. 💫
Beauty in the Mundane
My theme for the year is Beauty. And one thing I’ve appreciated this past week? Wrapping myself up at night and cuddling with my cats, because this cold cannot kill me!
P.S. It’s in the in-betweens where we’re allowed to try, stumble, and start over — as often as we need. ✨