ASCEND - Session 2

Description

ASCEND continued its mission of connecting students with emerging technologies and industry expertise through its second session, "Building with AI: From LLMs to Real-World Applications." As Artificial Intelligence continues to redefine the future of technology, the session offered participants an industry-focused perspective on how modern AI solutions are designed, built, and deployed. The session was conducted by Mr. Sahan Dissanayaka, Data Scientist II at Air Arabia Group , who shared valuable insights into the rapidly evolving world of AI Engineering and Large Language Models (LLMs). The session introduced participants to the foundations of modern AI systems, providing a comprehensive understanding of how LLMs are transforming the way intelligent applications are designed and developed. Students explored how organizations leverage AI to enhance products and services, automate workflows, and create more personalized user experiences across a wide range of industries. Drawing from his industry experience, Mr. Sahan guided participants through the journey of building AI-powered applications, covering concepts such as prompt engineering, AI model integration through APIs, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), semantic search , AI agents, and deployment considerations . Through practical examples and demonstrations, students gained valuable exposure to the technologies and engineering practices that underpin today's AI-driven solutions. The session also highlighted the growing demand for AI professionals by introducing career pathways such as AI Engineer, LLM Engineer, Generative AI Engineer, Applied AI Engineer, and AI Solutions Architect . Participants received practical advice on the technical skills, projects, and continuous learning strategies required to build successful careers in the AI industry. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where students actively engaged with the speaker on emerging AI trends, career opportunities, and practical applications of Large Language Models. The enthusiastic participation and positive feedback reflected the growing interest among students in AI Engineering and reinforced ASCEND's commitment to providing industry-relevant learning experiences that prepare undergraduates for the future of technology.