PyCon DE & PyData 2026

Sebastian Neubauer

Data scientist forever; Worked everywhere in Blue Yonder, messed with data science, built platforms, now exploring GenAI & AI agents. Known to always ask the question nobody else dared.


Sessions

04-14
14:30
30min
Hype, Hope, or Headache? Making Sense of GenAI, LLMs, and AI Agents with Anecdotal Evidence
Sebastian Neubauer

After nearly 20 years in data science, from MLPs, SVMs, and random forests to deep learning, I’ve seen many “revolutions” come and go. The current tectonic shift around GenAI and LLMs feels different from previous hype cycles. Even with some understanding how these things work, I am still blown away by the stream of stunning new capabilities. But they also introduce new kinds of risks that go far beyond technical performance. This talk offers a pragmatic, experience-driven perspective on GenAI in industrial settings, including supply chains and the emerging wave of AI agents. We’ll disentangle real opportunities from snake oil, especially where hype-driven promises meet senior management expectations. An anti-bullshit take on the possibilities ahead, with honesty, anecdotes, and (for those who know me, of course) a bit of humor.

General: Autonomous Systems & AI Agents
Helium [3rd Floor]
04-14
16:30
60min
Panel: Evolution, Revolution, or Illusion? The Future of Python and Coding in the Age of AI
Sebastian Neubauer, Markus Klein, Asya Melnik, Serhii Sokolenko

Software engineering is changing fast. With AI now writing and reasoning about code, does it still make sense to learn Python or any language at all?

Is this the evolution of our craft, a true revolution, or just hype from those who benefit most? Join us to debate the future of Python, the risks of AI-driven development, and what skills will actually matter next.

General: Autonomous Systems & AI Agents
Merck Plenary (Spectrum) [1st Floor]