VOLTA – Digital Nova Scotia – Leading Digital Industry

Right Tool, Right Task: Navigating AI with Precision

VOLTA 1800 Argyle Street #Unit 801, Halifax, NS, Canada

Speaker: Jaswanth Tata / Murtaza Lookmanji AI is everywhere—and so is confusion. This practical, no-hype session shows you how to match the right tool to the right task so you get the right outcome. We’ll demystify agents, chatbots, copilots, visualizers, and automation platforms, compare their strengths and limits, and give you a simple decision framework you can reuse at work tomorrow. Expect crisp selection criteria, real Halifax use‑cases, red‑flag questions for vendors, quick evaluators (ROI, risk, privacy), and a takeaway matrix mapping common roles and workflows to proven tools. Leave with a vetted shortlist, smarter guardrails, and the confidence to say “no” to shiny‑but‑wrong AI choices.   CODE OF CONDUCT Agenda: 6:00PM – 6:15PM: Welcome & Registration 6:15PM – 6:20PM: Sponsor Speech 6:20PM – 7:00PM: Speaker Presentation 7:00PM – 7:45PM: Networking 7:45PM – 8:00PM: Program End

Free

DEFCON Halifax August Meet-Up

VOLTA 1800 Argyle Street #Unit 801, Halifax, NS, Canada

Join DEFCON Halifax on August 7 at Volta! Network & hear Eman Billah's talk: From Silence to Strike: Tactical Autonomy Emerges. 🎤 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘬𝘦: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘈𝘶𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘺 Presented by 𝗘𝗺𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗵, a Dal engineering grad and co‑founder/CTO of fintech startup Bluethumb Technologies. Also spearheading portable water‑purification tech - he’s one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 30 Under 30 innovators. In this talk, Emran will explore the rapidly evolving world of drone warfare, focusing on how autonomous systems are reshaping modern combat. 🔍 What’s This All About? DEFCON Halifax is your local hub for hackers, tinkerers, and cybersecurity pros. Whether you're just curious or deep in the field, you're welcome here. Come to learn, connect, and be part of Halifax’s growing infosec community. 💡 Why You Should Come: Meet fellow hackers, makers, and defenders Catch a cutting-edge talk on tactical autonomy Share knowledge in a laid-back, pressure-free environment No sponsors. No sales. Just real people and real conversations 📅 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲: 6:30 PM – Doors Open + Networking 6:55 PM – Welcome 7:00 PM – Emran Billah’s Talk 7:30 PM – Q&A 8:00 PM – More Networking 8:30 PM – Wrap-Up 📸 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀-𝗨𝗽: Photos will be taken during the […]

Free

From COBOL to Co-Pilot: 70 Years of “Soon We Won’t Need Programmers Anymore”

VOLTA 1800 Argyle Street #Unit 801, Halifax, NS, Canada

Speaker: Andrew Burke (Co-Founder, Developer at BeanCounter Technologies) Join us for a captivating journey through seven decades of tech predictions, hype cycles, and the enduring spirit of developers. From the early promises of COBOL automating business logic to the current buzz around AI tools like GitHub Copilot, this TechTalk Atlantic event explores a recurring theme in tech: "We won’t need programmers anymore"—and why that never quite comes true. We'll dig into the historical moments when new technologies promised to replace coders, examine why those predictions fell short, and discuss what today's AI moment means for the future of software development. Whether you’re a seasoned engineer, an emerging dev, or just tech-curious, this talk offers a mix of history, insight, and a healthy dose of humor. Expect real talk, bold questions, and a forward-looking conversation on what it means to be a programmer in an age of rapid automation. Spoiler: programmers aren’t going anywhere—but their tools (and titles) are evolving fast. 🧠 Insights from the past. 💡 Lessons for the future. CODE OF CONDUCT Agenda: 6:00PM – 6:15PM: Welcome & Registration 6:15PM – 6:20PM: Sponsor Speech 6:20PM – 7:00PM: Speaker Presentation 7:00PM – 7:45PM: Networking 7:45PM – 8:00PM: Program End

Free

Vibe Coding Meetup

VOLTA 1800 Argyle Street #Unit 801, Halifax, NS, Canada

When: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm Where: Volta, 1800 Argyle St., Unit 801, Halifax, NS, B3J 3N8   Description: Get ready to roll up your sleeves and code. In this third edition of the Vibe Coding Meetup, we’re shifting into hands-on mode with a guided session led by Sam Silver. Whether you’re just getting started or actively building, this is your space to connect, learn, and create.   He'll walk through: Basic prompting techniques Simple project setup Turning an idea into a working prototype Efficient iteration with AI   What to Bring: Your laptop A mindset ready to build and iterate   NOTE: If you are unable to attend any of our events please take a minute and cancel your ticket. This allows our team to better prepare for every event. By attending this event, you agree to be photographed and/or filmed and give permission to Volta to use your image in promotional and/or marketing materials.

DEFCON Halifax July Meet-Up

VOLTA 1800 Argyle Street #Unit 801, Halifax, NS, Canada

Join DEFCON Halifax July 3rd at Volta for networking & a DevSecOps masterclass by Rida Rashid. No pitches, just real insights.

Free

Finding Jobs in UX: What I Learned from Five Months of Unemployment

VOLTA 1800 Argyle Street #Unit 801, Halifax, NS, Canada

Details In a world where remote work is the norm and AI is transforming the landscape, finding the perfect UX job—or even a job—can feel overwhelming. That was certainly the case for our June speaker, Josh Salmon. When he found himself suddenly unemployed, it seemed like even a decade of experience didn’t count for much. In this talk, Josh will share what he learned during five months of job hunting: how he rediscovered skills he’d forgotten, made use of new tools (like AI), and stayed grounded through an uncertain chapter. He’ll talk about his journey from academia to the video game industry, to being laid off, and eventually finding a new home in healthcare UX. Along the way, Josh will cover practical tips on job searching, refining resumes (or portfolios), preparing for interviews, and staying sane throughout the process. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a career change, we hope you’ll find something useful—and maybe even reassuring—in his story. Hope to see you there! 😊 > Agenda 7:00 PM Doors open, networking time 7:15 PM Introductions from the event hosts, Nata and Ruby 7:20 PM Finding Jobs in UX: What I Learned from Five Months of Unemployment with Josh Salmon 7:50 PM Q&A 8:15 PM Networking […]

Free

Game On: The Evolution of Video Games

VOLTA 1800 Argyle Street #Unit 801, Halifax, NS, Canada

Speaker: Ryan Sno-Wood (Director at XP Gaming) (Business Development at Game Ignite) Step into the ultimate gaming experience that spans decades of innovation, imagination, and immersion. This is a dynamic event that traces the thrilling journey of gaming — from pixelated pioneers and arcade legends to next-gen consoles, virtual reality, and beyond. We Were Always Going to Make Games. It all started in 1958 with Tennis for Two: a simple game built on an oscilloscope by a physicist who wanted to add a little fun to science exhibits. Or did it? Let’s take a light dive into how video games evolved into a $455 billion industry. We’ll explore how technology shaped games, how games have shaped culture, and why humans have always found ways to turn new tools into new kinds of play. Whether you’re a retro enthusiast, a tech-savvy gamer, or just curious about how far games have come, this event invites you to explore iconic milestones, meet industry trailblazers, and interact with cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of play. It’s not just a look back — it’s a celebration of where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going CODE OF CONDUCT Agenda: 6:00PM – 6:15PM: Welcome & Registration 6:15PM – […]

Free

Halifax Women in Machine Learning & Data Science

VOLTA 1800 Argyle Street #Unit 801, Halifax, NS, Canada

Details Join us for an interactive workshop, where we will explore advanced techniques in the field of AI and machine learning. This event is open to all skill levels, from beginners to experienced data scientists, interested in expanding their knowledge and practical skills. WHEN: Thursday, June 19th 6-8pm LOCATION: VOLTA. Huge thank you to them for providing space for us to connect in-person. If you're interested in sharing your own tools, tricks and ideas, please fill this out and we can add to to the upcoming or a future session. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3JO3i9WIo2uFxKIxTeAi577Iu2nC_ounBYFZxTzYbxKfxSQ/viewform?usp=dialog At WiMLDS Halifax, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community of women in Machine Learning and Data Science. Come network with like-minded individuals, share your experiences, and engage in stimulating discussions around data analytics, predictive analytics, and more. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting out in the field, this workshop is a great opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with other women in tech.

Free

DEFCON Halifax June Meet-Up

VOLTA 1800 Argyle Street #Unit 801, Halifax, NS, Canada

Join DEFCON Halifax June 5 at Volta for networking & a DevSecOps masterclass by Rida Rashid. No pitches, just real insights.

Free