Workshop: Build the Brains Behind an AI Assistant

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to build an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server — the backend brain behind powerful AI clients. Using open source tooling, we’ll walk step-by-step through setting up a system that provides memory, tools, and structured prompts to an LLM.

This is the architecture used to build AI copilots, assistants, and autonomous agents. You’ll leave the workshop with a working MCP server and a clear understanding of how real-world AI systems are being built today.

This workshop is designed for:

• Engineers curious about AI infrastructure

• Engineers curious about how MCP servers are used

• Folks building AI-powered assistants, bots, or internal tools

• DevOps/Platform engineers interested in the future of tool orchestration

• Anyone who wants to get hands-on with real LLM systems, not just chatbots

Prerequisites:

• You are an under represented or marginalised gender (Such as a woman, trans man, non-binary or gender queer person)

• Some knowledge of programming fundamentals and/or familiarity with Python and/or Typescript

• Your own laptop with admin permissions

• No prior MCP knowledge is required

Who are we?

• Who is DevOps Represent?

  • We aim to provide great technical training and community for marginalised genders. We are grassroots - for technologists, by technologists. The community has been around since 2018 and was originally called DevOps Girls. We’ve run workshops for hundreds of people across Australia, China and Brazil to experienced and new-to-industry engineers and technology leaders. We’ve done in-person, fully remote and hybrid events. Our workshops aim to bring people together to learn in an environment that’s welcoming and inclusive. Our workshop contributors are experienced technologists with the passion to give back and share knowledge. Our content always aims to be industry-relevant and aligned to modern software engineering practices. Here’s some examples of events.

• Canva's Force For Good Skilled Volunteering

  • Folks at Canva are encouraged to spend dedicated time giving back to the community to make a positive impact.

NOTE: Zoom details will be sent prior to the event directly to attendees who have selected a remote ticket.