DataTalks.Club

In this talk, Sahil Walia, Senior Technical Architect at Snowflake, shares his extensive data engineering expertise from writing simple SQL queries early in his career to architecting enterprise-scale Apache Iceberg lakehouses today. We explore the evolution of the modern data platform, the mechanics of open lakehouses, and how decoupling storage from compute is transforming data architecture.

Links:
- https://medium.com/@sahil-walia/
- Iceberg Spec- https://iceberg.apache.org/spec/
- https://ossie.apache.org
- https://github.com/Snowflake-Labs/schemachange
- https://opensource.guide/how-to-contribute/

You’ll learn about:
- What defines a modern data platform and the importance of interoperability.
- Key differences between traditional storage, Hive metastores, and Apache Iceberg.
- How Iceberg metadata simplifies GDPR compliance, data deletions, and file compactions.
- When a lakehouse architecture actually makes sense (and when to avoid it).
- Standardizing business logic across compute engines using Apache OSI.
- Actionable tips for making impactful open-source data engineering contributions.

TIMECODES:
00:00 Defining the Modern Data Platform
11:34 What Exactly is a Lakehouse?
17:20 Comparing Hive Metastore and Apache Iceberg
22:34 Handling GDPR and Data Deletions in Iceberg
27:33 Apache Iceberg vs. Delta Lake
34:10 Do You Need a Lakehouse for Small Data?
40:11 Understanding Apache OSI (Open Semantic Interchange)
49:00 Managing Schema Changes in Data Warehouses
54:20 How to Contribute to Open Source Projects
01:00:40 The Role of AI in Open Source Contributions

This talk is designed for data engineers, data architects, and analytics professionals looking to modernize their data infrastructure. It provides essential architectural insights for technical teams evaluating Apache Iceberg, dealing with large-scale data transformation, or aiming to scale their open-source contributions.

Connect with Sahil:
- Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahilwaliasyracuse
- Github - https://github.com/sahil-walia
- Website - https://medium.com/@sahil-walia

Connect with DataTalks.Club:
- Join the community - https://datatalks.club/slack.html
- Subscribe to our Google calendar to have all our events in your calendar - https://calendar.google.com/calendar/r?cid=ZjhxaWRqbnEwamhzY3A4ODA5azFlZ2hzNjBAZ3JvdXAuY2FsZW5kYXIuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbQ
- Check other upcoming events - https://lu.ma/dtc-events
- GitHub: https://github.com/DataTalksClub
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/datatalks-club/
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/DataTalksClub
- Website - https://datatalks.club/

In this talk, Philip Christos, Associate at M2VC, shares his expertise in frontier AI investing from his early days as a data analyst to evaluating cutting-edge deep tech startups. We explore how AI agents are reshaping modern work, the realities of venture capital in the LLM era, and why the future of software engineering relies more on high-level systems thinking than writing syntax.You’ll learn about:- How venture capitalists formulate AI investment strategies and evaluate startup pitch decks.- The rapid adoption of AI in software engineering compared to traditional sectors like accounting.- The crucial difference between data progress and algorithmic progress in frontier models.- Why LLMs still struggle with high-level software architecture, business logic, and design "taste."- How AI is accelerating iterations and breakthroughs in classical engineering and scientific research.- What specific deep tech and AI infrastructure ideas are actually attracting VC funding today.TIMECODES:00:00 Venture Capital Career Journey05:14 VC Analyst vs Data Analyst Roles10:13 AI Investment Thesis Strategy16:00 Emotion Analytics and Voice AI Startups22:09 LLM Impact on Venture Capital28:19 Software Engineering AI Adoption34:18 Data vs Algorithmic AI Progress40:15 Classical Engineering AI Acceleration46:12 Software Architecture AI Limitations51:11 Future Software Engineering Careers57:55 Systems Thinking in DevOps1:03:00 Pitching Deep Tech StartupsThis talk is perfect for software engineers, AI founders, and technical product managers who want to understand the evolving tech job market and venture landscape. It provides essential insights for anyone looking to build VC-backed AI startups or future-proof their career as AI coding tools become ubiquitous.Connect with Philip- Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipchristos/- Twitter - https://x.com/phil_christos- Website - https://t.me/stacked_channelConnect with DataTalks.Club:- Join the community - https://datatalks.club/slack.html- Subscribe to our Google calendar to have all our events in your calendar - https://calendar.google.com/calendar/r?cid=ZjhxaWRqbnEwamhzY3A4ODA5azFlZ2hzNjBAZ3JvdXAuY2FsZW5kYXIuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbQ- Check other upcoming events - https://lu.ma/dtc-events- GitHub: https://github.com/DataTalksClub- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/datatalks-club/ - Twitter - https://twitter.com/DataTalksClub - Website - https://datatalks.club/

In this talk, Paul Domanski, founder of Domanski AI, shares his unconventional journey from film directing and affiliate marketing to becoming a vibecoder running dozens of autonomous AI agents. We explore the realities of building an agentic operating system, how non technical builders can orchestrate complex AI workflows, and the exact strategies used to close high ticket B2B clients using AI generated prototypes.Links:- Headroom: https://github.com/domanski-ai/headroom/You will learn about:- How to build and use custom workspaces like Demox and Tmux setups to orchestrate over 50 concurrent AI agents- Using automated research and rapid AI prototyping to close high ticket B2B sales- Balancing usage across multiple Claude and Codex accounts while navigating API limits and context windows- How to design audit and deploy complex software solutions without a traditional computer science background or deep knowledge of tech stacks- How the skills of a film director like vision stubbornness and delegation perfectly translate to managing autonomous AI teams- Why evaluating LLM outputs is the most critical skill for ensuring reliable products for enterprise clientsTIMECODES:00:00 Welcome and Showcasing Demox08:46 Paul's Background in Film and Digital Marketing16:09 Sales Pipeline and Client Onboarding22:20 Token Efficiency and Open Source Models31:19 Curiosity and the Learning Process37:52 Red Teaming and Code Audits44:51 Building Software Without Knowing the Tech Stack51:02 Parallels Between Film Directing and Managing AI56:32 Using AI for 3D Printing and Personal Projects01:04:34 The Importance of AI EvalsThis conversation is perfect for solopreneurs, agency owners, and non technical builders who want to move beyond basic chat interfaces and start leveraging autonomous AI agents for real world business operations. Whether you are transitioning into AI from marketing, project management, or creative fields, this episode offers a practical blueprint for turning AI curiosity into a scalable business.Connect with Paul:- Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-domanski-ai/- Twitter - https://x.com/domanski_ai- Github - https://github.com/domanski-ai- Website - https://domanski.ai/Connect with DataTalks.Club:- Join the community - https://datatalks.club/slack.html- Subscribe to our Google calendar to have all our events in your calendar - https://calendar.google.com/calendar/r?cid=ZjhxaWRqbnEwamhzY3A4ODA5azFlZ2hzNjBAZ3JvdXAuY2FsZW5kYXIuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbQ- Check other upcoming events - https://lu.ma/dtc-events- GitHub: https://github.com/DataTalksClub- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/datatalks-club/ - Twitter - https://twitter.com/DataTalksClub - Website - https://datatalks.club/

In this talk, Tony Zeljkovic, Founder of Narona Data, shares his unconventional career journey from bioinformatics research and clinical genetics to building a successful AI and data platform consulting business. We explore the essential soft skills, networking strategies, and business mindsets required to thrive as an independent data consultant in today’s rapidly shifting tech landscape.Links:- The book pre-order on packt - https://www.packtpub.com/en-us/product/the-data-consultants-handbook-9781806665266- The book pre-order on amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H3TBWHH1?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallbackYou’ll learn about:- How to smoothly transition from a highly technical or academic role into independent data consulting.- The step-by-step process of building a strong digital footprint and growing a reliable client pipeline from scratch.- Strategic positioning: how to stop selling "data engineering" and start selling business outcomes and ROI.- How leveraging platform implementation partnerships (e.g., Snowflake, dbt) can help you land your first major clients.- Adapting to the AI era and ensuring your consulting services stay relevant as market demands change.- The business mindset of a consultant, including when to invest in tools and outsource tasks like accounting to accelerate your growth.TIMECODES:00:00 Landing the First Consulting Client via Academic Research06:06 Transitioning from Research to Consulting11:42 Becoming a Platform Implementation Partner18:20 Building Your Digital Footprint23:22 Positioning: Selling Business Outcomes vs. Technical Skills31:02 Networking Strategies and Finding Industry Pain Points37:24 Is Consulting Right For You?44:17 Adapting to AI and Changing Market Demands50:16 Business Mindset: Investing in Tools and Outsourcing55:52 Start Early and Pay It Forward1:02:37 The Practical Handbook for Data ConsultingThis talk is perfect for data engineers, analytics professionals, and software developers who are considering the leap into freelancing or starting their own consulting practice. It is highly valuable for technical experts who want to master client acquisition, stakeholder communication, and the business side of the data industry.Connect with Tony:- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-zeljkovic/- GitHub - https://github.com/2tony2- Consulting website - https://www.naronadata.com/​Connect with Juan:- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmperafan/- GitHub - https://github.com/jmperafan- Consulting website - https://juanalytics.com/Connect with DataTalks.Club:- Join the community - https://datatalks.club/slack.html- Subscribe to our Google calendar to have all our events in your calendar - https://calendar.google.com/calendar/r?cid=ZjhxaWRqbnEwamhzY3A4ODA5azFlZ2hzNjBAZ3JvdXAuY2FsZW5kYXIuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbQ- Check other upcoming events - https://lu.ma/dtc-events- GitHub: https://github.com/DataTalksClub- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/datatalks-club/ - Twitter - https://twitter.com/DataTalksClub - Website - https://datatalks.club/

In this talk, Radovan Bacovic, Principal Data Engineer and Snowflake/dbt Ambassador, shares his two-decade journey, from traditional database administration to leading modern data platform engineering. We explore the essential building blocks of scalable data architectures, the trade-offs of no-code solutions, and how to effectively integrate AI into your data pipelines while maintaining strict security and governance.
You’ll learn about:
- The evolution of the full-stack data engineer over the past two decades.
- Building scalable, business-driven data platforms without premature optimization.
- Efficient data modeling and transformation using DuckDB and dbt.
- Leveraging AI to accelerate pipeline development and launch data products.
- Implementing enterprise data governance and robust pipeline security.- Balancing no-code integration tools with strict DataOps methodologies.
LINKS:
https://gitlab.com/radovan.bacovic/wsc26_dataops/-/blob/main/README.md?ref_type=heads

TIMECODES:
0:00 Data Engineering Career Trajectory and Industry Experience
6:37 Full Stack Data Engineer Role Evolution and Responsibilities
14:45 Scalable Data Platform Architecture and Business Alignment
21:59 DuckDB Integration and Premature Database Optimization Avoidance
30:04 Data Pipeline Transformation and Data Modeling with dbt
35:31 Modern Data Platform Ecosystem and Infrastructure Orchestration
42:13 AI Powered Data Products and LLM Pipeline Automation
49:42 Enterprise Data Governance and Pipeline Security Best Practices
55:06 No Code Data Integration Tools and DataOps MethodologyThis talk is ideal for data engineers, analytics engineers, and data platform leads looking to modernize their tech stacks and future-proof their infrastructure. It provides highly actionable insights for anyone aiming to build resilient, AI-ready data platforms that prioritize real business value and strict security constraints.

Connect with Radovan
- Twitter - https://x.com/SvenMurtinson
- Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/radovanbacovic/
- Github: https://gitlab.com/radovan.bacovic/
- Website: www.bacovic.com

Connect with DataTalks.Club:
- Join the community - https://datatalks.club/slack.html
- Subscribe to our Google calendar to have all our events in your calendar - https://calendar.google.com/calendar/r?cid=ZjhxaWRqbnEwamhzY3A4ODA5azFlZ2hzNjBAZ3JvdXAuY2FsZW5kYXIuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbQ
- Check other upcoming events - https://lu.ma/dtc-events
- GitHub: https://github.com/DataTalksClub
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/datatalks-club/
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/DataTalksClub
- Website - https://datatalks.club/