Google DevFest Kathmandu 2024 Recap

Where Local Talent Meets Global Tech: A Day of Learning and Collaboration

On December 14, SecurityPal’s Data Team attended Google DevFest Kathmandu 2024, an annual tech conference for developers hosted by Google Developer Groups of Kathmandu. The theme of this year’s event, focused on responsible AI, and it couldn't be more timely and befitting for SecurityPal to participate. The event centered around developing productivity-enhancing technologies that humanity responsibly without inflicting harm, which SecurityPal is committed to doing.

This globally celebrated tech event brought together developers, industry leaders, tech enthusiasts, and students to explore cutting-edge innovations and advancements in technology. As a gold sponsor, SecurityPal was proud to support an event that brought technology closer to local developers and the tech enthusiast community in Kathmandu. Our team was honored to receive an invitation to the event as speakers to address such a dynamic community, to share insights from our journey and expertise in the GRC domain, and to have actively shaped the conversations around responsible AI.

Driving Conversations That Matter

Our workshop, titled “Responsible AI: Securing Trust with SecurityPal,” overcame a delayed start of nearly an hour and a half, yet we managed to cover an array of essential topics. We began with an introduction to the fundamentals of AI, discussing its general concepts and shedding light on aspects often overlooked in mainstream narratives. This included an exploration of AI’s historical evolution, its current context, and a brief overview of “Transformers,” a transformative development central to the work we do at SecurityPal.

From there, we transitioned into the core theme: Responsible AI. As organizations increasingly face the obligation to disclose how their AI models function and whether they comply with regulatory standards, it’s crucial to address the risks of not maintaining transparency when handling client data. We emphasized the importance of fostering transparency and encouraging more responsible and accountable use of AI technology.

We then highlighted how SecurityPal exemplifies responsible AI practices. Whether through our innovative in-house app, Co-Pilot, our Vendor Risk Assessment Model that evaluates potential risks on behalf of clients, or our commitment to masking client details for enhanced privacy, SecurityPal is steadfast in shaping an ethical AI-driven future. These efforts reflect our commitment to embedding our core values and ethics into every AI technology we develop.

Highlights of the Event

Google DevFest Kathmandu kicked off early in the morning with an upbeat energy and enthusiasm. Attendees included professionals, students, tech enthusiasts, and industry leaders, creating a vibrant atmosphere for networking and interaction. The event began with a welcome video from Google’s developers, setting the stage for this year’s DevFest. This was followed by a sneak peek at a customer support AI technology developed by Global IME Bank.

After the opening segment, attendees were divided into three tracks of their choice. The sessions covered diverse topics such as: 

• Large Language Models (LLMs)
• Google Cloud Services
• the potential of Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG)
• Flutter Web Apps
• Careers in AI 

A highlight of the event was a panel discussion on Ethical AI Development, which drew significant interest.

The day concluded with an inspiring keynote by Mr. Sudan Jha, professor and lead researcher at the IoT lab of Kathmandu University. Complementing the sessions were various stalls, primarily set up by students and aspiring entrepreneurs, adding an innovative touch to the event. The event truly offered something for everyone.

What Could Have Been Better?

The theme of DevFest was “Responsible AI,” yet most sessions only touched on it superficially. The sole session dedicated to the topic was scheduled for a later time slot and was unfortunately cut short due to delays earlier in the day. Despite being one of the main sponsors of the event, our workshop was allocated towards the end of the program, limiting our opportunity to engage with attendees.

Additionally, a company stall would have been a valuable add-on, offering us a platform to interact directly with participants. Incorporating activities like Responsible AI pop quizzes or showcasing SecurityPal merchandise could have further enhanced attendee engagement.

Looking Ahead

Reflecting on our experience at Google DevFest, we’re reminded of the vital role collaboration and innovation play in shaping ethical norms around AI, especially within a community as dynamic and vibrant as ours. Sharing a platform with such driven individuals has only deepened our passion for advancing responsible AI practices and exploring future innovations with renewed enthusiasm.

The insights we gained at the event will undoubtedly inform and enrich our work as we continue fostering conversations around responsible AI. Our ultimate goal remains ensuring that today’s AI innovations serve humanity ethically and responsibly.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Google Developers Kathmandu, the DevFest organizing team, and our incredible SecurityPal team for making this opportunity possible. It was truly an honor to stand alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry and contribute to this inspiring exchange of knowledge.

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