The best thing about events is seeing the community come together to talk, learn, and share knowledge. You know what else is great? Wearing your comfiest clothes, drinking tea or coffee from your favourite mug at home.

So what do you get when you combine the two? A free 48-hour digital event for developers where they can gain new skills, and learn about the latest technology trends that could deliver better outcomes for your business.

Most importantly, they will have a chance to chat with other devs from around the world and share experiences. This will help them continue their learning journey and gain valuable insight to other people’s experiences to build better apps now and in the future.

Held from May 19-20, our first ever digital Microsoft Build will enable your development teams to jump in and out of channels, join interactive sessions, talk to other developers, and get the answers they need to progress with their latest projects.

There’s so much going on in the 48 hours, but we have a preview of what you and your team can expect from Build and how it can help you drive business goals.

1.      5 talks to look out for

There’ll be lots of interesting sessions and talks on offer, but we’ve pulled out some highlights you can share with your dev team. They can learn about the latest cloud innovation on Azure with Scott Guthrie, explore the modern dev toolkit with Scott Hanselman, and hear from Satya Nadella on the importance of devs.

Take a look at our dev blog to get the low-down.

2.      Gain new skills

It’s important for your team to keep their knowledge fresh and to learn new skills that will help make them better developers. Make it a team goal to leave Build with a new skill, or a learning pathway to one.

Encourage your team to join talks, Q&As, and interactive sessions on building new tools and using Microsoft technologies to improve their DevOps toolkit. They can then use these new skills to build new capabilities to really drive business goals.

Employees could also earn a free Microsoft Certification test voucher and a chance to win prizes by completing some online learning modules on Microsoft Learn.

3.      Learn about the latest trends

Think of Build as a Parisian runway – but for technology. The growth of data science and machine learning is bringing new tech that is changing DevOps. Kevin Scott talks about some of the emerging trends that are reshaping software development.

Inspire your team by getting them involved in in-depth sessions on new tools and processes that will further drive your business values.

4.      Get creative

We get our best ideas when we’re surrounded by creativity. And there’s no better place than Build. When you or your devs hear of new tools or learn a new skill, it could spark a new idea. Live sessions with other devs will get the creative juices flowing.

You could go completely off script by encouraging your team to join our film festival. Not only will it spark creativity in a different way, but it will also get your team working together in new and fun ways, driving collaboration and building strength.

So get your team’s Steven Spielberg on and make a dev-version of Indiana Jones, a space odyssey with your team’s pets, or whatever else you and your team can think of.

5.      Get expert guidance

If your devs have a specific question, or need some help with a particular Microsoft technology, they can go one-to-one with our engineers in specially crafted sessions.

6.      Join your community

At the end of the day, Build isn’t Build without our amazing community of developers. Your team can connect with other devs from around the world in our sessions or social hours. Share tips, get knowledge, and gain new friends.

And it doesn’t stop after Build is over. Our community will keep the conversation and knowledge sharing going. There might even find a new solution shared that you could use to improve something in your business.

Sound pretty amazing, right? Luckily, you don’t have to miss out. Build is for you as well as your dev team. It’s a great chance for you to gain valuable insight into what’s coming, and how you can use new and existing technology in inventive ways to really drive your business goals.

We can’t wait for everyone to get together and share knowledge so we can all innovate for the challenges of tomorrow.

Join us for the 48-hour digital experience, at no cost, May 19-20.

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5 talks to look out for at Build next week

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Future Decoded is the flagship Microsoft event designed for business leaders, and we can’t wait to bring you some unforgettable moments you won’t want to miss out on.

I’m fascinated by the trajectory of today’s technology. It’s a story of commitment and creativity unfolding before us – from the industry’s thought-provoking work on AI to the genius cast of characters who persist in empowering us all. Two action-packed days of keynotes and breakouts to help you uncover how best to leverage the latest technology trends. You’ll leave the event with practical advice to prepare your business and employees for the future of work, in this AI-driven era.

If you haven’t signed up to join us at ExCel London on either October 1 or October 2 (or even both days), you can register for free at the Future Decoded site.

And if you still need more reasons to come, how about:

1. Unique perspectives from astronauts Major Tim Peake and Dr Helen Sharman

Future Decoded is all about seeing things differently – and few have seen things as differently as great British astronauts Major Tim Peake and Dr Helen Sharman.

Sharman has the honour of being the very first British astronaut. After beating out 13,000 other applicants, she launched in 1991, working on the world-famous MIR space station on her very first mission.

Meanwhile, Peake, the first European Space Agency’s British astronaut to board the International Space Station. During his time there, he became a national hero after using social media to communicate with us Earth-bound citizens.

On Day One of Future Decoded, Sharman and Peake will expand your horizons in a fascinating conversation with Microsoft UK Chief Operating Officer Clare Barclay.

2. Unrivalled AI research

Artificial intelligence promises to be as integral to our way of life as the mobile phone is today. To celebrate our AI-driven future, you’ll be free to join sessions across the event that explore the impact of AI on specific industries, including health, finance, and commerce.

Microsoft UK CEO Cindy Rose will kick off Future Decoded alongside Clare Barclay, COO, revealing ground-breaking research and insights into how AI fits into our modern world. Then join Lucas Joppa, Microsoft’s Chief Environmental Officer, on the topic of using AI for good.

Of course, you only have to look at modern science fiction to see the myths, hype, and lies surrounding artificial intelligence.

Thankfully, on Day Two, Professor Chris Bishop, Technical Fellow and Laboratory Director at Microsoft Research Cambridge, takes to the stage to deal with science fact in a fascinating exploration of the opportunities that AI really presents.

3. Changing the way we work

Technology is transforming the way we work and the work we do. The result is an ever-changing, ever-modernising workplace, and throughout the event, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to hear directly from Microsoft customers and partners who power their workplaces through Microsoft tools.

Oxfam CTO Nick Mitrovoc will be on hand to share the story of the charity’s migration to the cloud – a move that has empowered employees and volunteers across the organisation.

Microsoft partners KPMG and Phoenix Software will tackle one of the biggest issues of the day: mental health and well-being in the workplace. In the ‘How to manage mental wellbeing in the digital workplace’ session, which aims to raise awareness of mental health, you’ll discover how technology is being used to enable employers and employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

If you’d like to explore the topic of workplace inclusion before the event, Phoenix Software’s Modern Workplace and Accessibility Lead David Brown has discussed the issue on the Microsoft blog. It’s bound to give you inspiration and practical advice for creating your own modern workplace.

4. Making positive social transformation

Today’s technology is transforming lives in a positive way – particularly in the realm of healthcare.

This is the perfect chance to hear inspiration stories, like the British Heart Foundation’s launch of the National Defibrillator Network and Project Fizzyo’s innovative gamification of medicine to combat cystic fibrosis.

Dr Isabel Van De Keere of Immersive Rehab discusses how the AI for Good graduate is improving the effectiveness of physical and neuro-rehabilitation using virtual reality.

And you won’t want to miss Mike Culshaw’s talk on driving digital change in the NHS. The Chief Technology Officer for NHS Bury Clinical Commissioning Group, which oversees 26 GP practices, is empowering medical staff with the right tools to improve patient care and outcomes.

5. Networking opportunities

Future Decoded brings together everyone with a passion for technology, and using it to gain the competitive edge.

It’s an ideal setting for networking with peers. That’s why we’ve created a relaxed hub for you to hold impromptu meetings with customers and clients.

You’ll also have the opportunity to chat to the Microsoft team and selected partners in the lounge and across the expo.

And that includes me. I’ll be attending the event on both days, so you can find out more about Microsoft’s approach to marketing, storytelling, and building brands. I’d also love to answer any questions you may have about bringing your own brand to life. Find us in the lounge.

Bring your business cards – you’ll need them.

Register for Future Decoded

We’re almost full for this free event. Make sure you don’t miss out on Microsoft Future Decoded 2019. Register now for free and get ready to see the future of technology in action.

Book your place today

About the author

Great stories demand heroes, emotions, and insight. As Storytelling & Digital Destinations Lead at Microsoft UK, Victoria Oakes places these principles at the heart of Microsoft UK’s content output. In this role, she’s driven to unify messaging and content across Microsoft using insights at the heart. Through her passion for engaging copy, visual storytelling, and data-driven insights, she truly cares about content being useful, interesting and easy to digest.

The post 5 moments you don’t want to miss at Future Decoded appeared first on Microsoft Industry Blogs - United Kingdom.