AWS Summit Berlin | 2022

AWS Summit Berlin 2022 - My First Time Speaking Outside of Austria

Berlin was the first time I ever stepped onto a stage outside of Austria - and at one of the biggest cloud conferences in the region: the AWS Summit.

My Talk: Small Data Machine Learning

Together with my co-speaker, I presented our talk on Small Data Machine Learning. The main message was simple, but often overlooked:

You don’t need “big data” to build something meaningful.

We shared techniques and patterns to work effectively with limited datasets:

• feature engineering that amplifies signal
• structured data augmentation strategies
• leveraging pre-trained models instead of reinventing from scratch
• using agile loops to improve models incrementally

It was one of those talks where the conversation doesn’t end on stage - it continues in the hallway, over coffee, and in the Community Lounge afterwards. And that part was just as meaningful as the talk itself.

The Community Lounge

The Community Lounge was where everything came together - AWS Community Builders, User Group Leaders, speakers, organizers, and first-time Summit attendees. I gave interviews, talked about AWS GameDay Leagues, and met so many people who wanted to contribute to user groups, start meetups, or speak for the first time.

Those spontaneous conversations reminded me why I love this work - community is the ripple effect that continues long after the event ends.

My Personal Highlight: Being a Jury Member at the AWS GetIT Finals

The moment that stayed with me the most was something I never expected when arriving in Berlin: being asked to join the AWS GetIT Finals jury.

GetIT is an AWS initiative to inspire girls to explore careers in technology. During the finals, students pitched their app ideas - confidently, creatively, and with genuine enthusiasm. Some even presented scaling strategies. The joy and pride in the room was overwhelming - you could feel how much this meant to them.

I will never forget the sparkle in their eyes. That was the moment I realized: representation matters. Opportunity matters. Encouragement matters.

Friends, Colleagues, Community

Events like this are never just about the sessions. They are about the people.

I left Berlin with new friendships, strengthened connections, and a renewed sense of purpose in the community. And it was one of the first moments where I felt:

“Oh. I actually belong here.”

 

Looking Back Now

This Summit was a turning point for me. It was where I realized that sharing what I learn - even when I’m still learning - is valuable. And that the AWS community is something I want to keep building, shaping, and giving back to.

Berlin was the beginning of many things.