Ilias Papachristos
GDE for AI & Google Cloud | Google Cloud & Community Consultant
Thessaloníki, Greece
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Hey there! I'm an AI Consultant and Google Cloud Architect passionate about helping businesses unlock the transformative power of artificial intelligence and cloud technology. As a GDE for Google Cloud & AI, I get to dive deep into cutting-edge solutions, leveraging Google Cloud's AI services to solve complex problems and drive real innovation.
My journey's been a mix of flying military helicopters, tech and leadership – from building AI-powered projects and educational content to leading global Google Cloud communities like C2C and GDG Cloud Thessaloniki. I love fostering inclusive tech communities, mentoring aspiring cloud professionals, and empowering women in technology as a Women Techmakers Ambassador. Whether designing cloud solutions, teaching computer vision, or strategising for new market entries, I thrive on bridging the gap between business goals and technical realities.
I'm also a lifelong learner, constantly exploring new technologies and sharing my knowledge through workshops, webinars, and talks. Outside the tech world, you might find me in a Kendo dojo, teaching and practising Japanese swordsmanship, a discipline that has instilled in me the values of leadership, respect and continuous improvement. Ultimately, I'm driven by a desire to make a positive impact by guiding others on their path to success in the ever-evolving tech world.
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Altitude Adjustment: Ctrl + Alt + Re-skilling: from Helicopter Pilot to Google Cloud & AI GDE
Ever wondered what it takes to reinvent your career entirely? This isn't your typical 'Bootcamp to job' story. Join Ilias, a former helicopter pilot, as he shares his decade-long journey from navigating the skies to building intelligent applications with Google Cloud and AI.
Ten years ago, a career change felt impossible. But driven by a passion for technology, Ilias embarked on a challenging path to learn programming, master cloud technologies, and ultimately become a Google Developer Expert (GDE) in AI and Google Cloud.
This session isn't just about what was learned, but how. We'll dive into:
The Transferable Skills: Surprisingly, the discipline, problem-solving, and risk assessment honed in aviation proved invaluable in the world of software development. We'll explore these unexpected connections.
Navigating the Learning Curve: From initial coding hurdles to deep dives into machine learning, Ilias will share practical strategies for effective re-skilling, focusing on resources and approaches that worked.
Building a Community: The importance of finding mentors, contributing to open source, and engaging with the Google Cloud and AI community.
A Pilot's View on AI: How a Background in Complex Systems and Critical Decision-making shapes a unique perspective on the potential – and the responsible development – of Artificial Intelligence.
Practical Insights into Google Cloud AI: A glimpse into specific Google Cloud AI services and how they can be leveraged for innovative projects.
Whether you're a seasoned developer, a tech enthusiast considering a career shift, or simply curious about the power of re-skilling, this talk will inspire you to embrace change and chart your own course in the ever-evolving world of technology.
Prepare for a story that proves it's never too late to learn, adapt, and soar!
Gemini 2.5 & Gemma 3: What's New, What's Awesome, and Which One to Choose??
Alright, AI enthusiasts, buckle up! Google's been busy, and the results are… impressive. We're diving deep into the world of Gemini 2.5 and Gemma 3 – two powerful models that are changing the game.
Forget the sci-fi hype; we're getting practical. This session isn't just about listing features (though there are plenty!). We'll explore what these models do and, more importantly, what you can do with them.
Here's what we'll cover:
💡 Gemini 2.5: The Multimodal Master: We'll unpack Gemini 2.5's incredible ability to understand and process not just text but also images, audio, and video. Think beyond chatbots – we're talking about AI that can truly see and hear. We'll look at the expanded context window and what that unlocks.
💡 Gemma 3: Open-Source Powerhouse: Gemma 3 brings state-of-the-art performance to the open-source community. We'll discuss its capabilities, licensing, and how you can leverage it for your projects without vendor lock-in. (Yes, you read that right – open source!)
💡 Gemini vs. Gemma: The Ultimate Showdown: So, which model should you choose? We'll break down the key differences, use cases, and cost considerations to help you make the right decision. Spoiler alert: It depends! 😉
💡 Real-World Demos: No talk is complete without a little showmanship. We'll run live demos showcasing Gemini 2.5 and Gemma 3 in action, tackling practical problems and highlighting their unique strengths. Expect some "oohs" and "aahs" (and maybe a few debugging moments – hey, it's live!). 🙃
💡 Getting Started: We'll point you to the resources you need to start building with Gemini 2.5 and Gemma 3 today, including APIs, tools, and community support.
Who should attend?
This session is for developers, data scientists, AI enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the future of artificial intelligence. No prior AI experience is required – we'll explain things in plain English (with a dash of tech jargon, of course).
Come prepared to:
Learn about the latest advancements in Google AI.
Discover how to apply these models to your projects.
Ask questions (we love questions!).
Maybe even have your mind blown a little. 😉
Let's unlock the potential of Gemini 2.5 and Gemma 3 together! We'll show you how these tools can help you build smarter, more innovative applications – and maybe even automate some of your boring tasks. (We won't judge.)
Ilias Papachristos
GDE for AI & Google Cloud | Google Cloud & Community Consultant
Thessaloníki, Greece
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