8th Light University is a speaker series curated and facilitated by 8th Light’s global team of software, design, and technology professionals. Join the 8th Light University (8LU) group on Meetup to RSVP and keep up with all of our upcoming 8LU events. 

Learn more about 8th Light University.

When: December 11, 2024, 1:00 pm EST
Where: Virtual

Data is the lifeblood of AI, but keeping it reliable and accurate is easier said than done. What does it really take to overcome the most common data quality challenges?

Join us for a 30-minute session exploring frequently asked data quality questions from businesses looking to grow.

RSVP today!

When: December 12, 2024, 1:00 pm EST
Where: Virtual

As the demand for AI-driven solutions grows, scaling shifts from a technical challenge to a strategic imperative. Scaling AI presents unique challenges — from ensuring model efficiency, to maintaining system reliability under increasing loads.

Join us for a 30-minute virtual session where we’ll tackle this and other questions head-on.

RSVP today!

When: January 10, 2025, 12:30 pm CST
Where: Virtual

AI, especially Generative AI (GenAI), is transforming businesses — but navigating its complexities goes beyond engineering. From emerging legislation and ethical concerns to compliance strategies, legal tech leaders face opportunities and risks.

We’re hosting a virtual lunch to explore the most pressing issues and legal implications of AI for enterprise businesses.

Discussion topics include:

• Legal Challenges: addressing emerging complexities around copyright disputes, data privacy regulations, liability for autonomous systems, and ensuring fairness in AI-driven decisions.
• Proactive Strategies: building a foundation of compliance through ethical frameworks, maintaining data transparency, and developing AI systems with explainable, auditable decision-making processes.

RSVP today!

As AI continues to transform every facet of business, the importance of balancing innovation with responsibility cannot be overstated. In a 30-minute session, we explored the top privacy and security concerns businesses face today and discussed strategies to ensure AI systems remain secure and compliant in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Watch the webinar recording.

8th Light hosted Global Day of Coderetreat Chicago in collaboration with Thoughtworks, to provide developers with a valuable opportunity to step back from their usual pressures and focus on improving their craft. Throughout the day, participants worked in pairs, tackling a single software problem with just enough complexity to challenge their skills. 

The event emphasized continuous learning, reflection, and the importance of clean, maintainable code. The goal was to foster both technical growth and a stronger sense of community, and leave participants with practical insights and a renewed commitment to software excellence.

Our Virtual AI Summit brought together professionals from diverse fields to explore the latest trends in artificial intelligence, collaborative app design, and the critical integration of engineering and UX. This dynamic event, led by Design Director Jeff Mielke, offered a mix of insightful discussions and hands-on activities aimed at addressing real-world AI challenges.

Covering everything from optimizing AI-driven features for better user experiences, to aligning cross-functional teams around shared goals — attendees left with clear, practical strategies to apply directly to their projects.

We had an incredible time at HLTH USA, with live demonstrations and collaborative discussions on groundbreaking AI applications in healthtech. Head of Design Jon Wettersten and Manager of Strategic Solutions Brett Mackie had an amazing time exploring AI’s transformative impact on the health industry.

Curious about our healthtech initiatives? Dive deeper into our work and see how we're helping to shape the future of healthcare with AI innovation!

At Cincinnati's first CincyAI Week, we led discussions on responsible AI use, ethics, and governance — emphasizing action over principles. The event highlighted the Midwest's commitment to using AI for the betterment of their communities. 

Explore further insights by visiting our AI Resource Hub for tools and best practices.

In July, we hosted an AI Summit in Chicago, where software industry leaders shared practical tools and insights on integrating AI into businesses, focusing on responsible practices and innovative AI product design. 

Ready to assess your AI readiness? Explore our AI Software Solutions page for curated tools, best practices, and expert guidance on AI adoption.

At BigDataLDN 2023, subject matter experts highlighted the growing importance of data engineering, AI, and quality data management, showcasing innovations from companies like Jaguar TCS and the Department of Education.

Navigate the complex data engineering landscape? Explore our data resources to stay ahead of the curve with tools, best practices, and expert guidance.

After a decade of anticipation, Project Director Tom Kowal attended the final Strange Loop conference, where technology and creativity merged in inspiring ways.

Software Delivery Lead Shawn Horvatic attended dev up 2023, a tech conference in St. Louis that offered deep insights into DevOps and project management, with standout sessions on geo-distributed deployment and digital transformation.

Need a partner to enhance your DevOps processes? Learn more about how 8th Light can help you with DevOps software initiatives.

We hosted our first sparkConf on July 14, 2023 — a one-day, single-track conference featuring insights from our talented team and extended community on driving meaningful organizational change through quality software.