AWS Summit Toronto 2023: My Experience & Key Takeaways

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre was a hive of activity. The air was buzzing with the energy of developers, engineers, and tech enthusiasts. The main theme, which was impossible to miss, was the overwhelming focus on Generative AI. This was a welcome sight, given our own product’s reliance on AI/ML.

What truly stood out were the announcements and showcases of various large language models (LLMs) on Amazon Bedrock. The ability to use foundational models from leading AI companies like Amazon Titan, Anthropic Claude, Stability.ai Stable Diffusion, and AI21 Labs Jurassic-2 was a game-changer. For me, this wasn’t just about a new service; it was about the tools and possibilities it unlocks for building a better user experience. I was particularly interested in how far the products have come to-be a no-code development landscape.

The energy on the expo floor was electric. It was a fantastic opportunity to see the latest solutions and talk directly with the people building them. I was able to connect with many professionals and learn about their projects. The networking was invaluable, providing a chance to step away from the screen and have genuine conversations.

The after-party was a great way to wind down and continue networking in a more relaxed environment. The cafe and nightclub, featuring live singers, provided the perfect setting for socializing and building connections beyond the professional setting.

I left the summit with some AWS credits and pursued my AWS certification. The knowledge I gained, both from the formal sessions and the informal conversations, will directly influence how I approach an engineering problem. The focus on GenAI, in particular, has given me a new perspective on how best to move forward. I am excited to apply these learnings and continue building my understanding of the ever-evolving tech landscape.