Making new connections at DEVUP 2024

Honored to speak at DEVUP for the third consecutive year

By Deepa Prasanth, Infrastructure Platforms

Imagine walking down a red carpet surrounded by the brightest developers and the buzz of innovation in the air. That's how we feel at DEVUP! I am thrilled to have had the honor of speaking at this prestigious conference for the third year in a row, sharing my research with fellow curious, dynamic technologists. This year, I presented two papers – one was directly related to my work supporting cloud modernization at the firm, and the other  on an emerging technology that piques my interest.

DEVUP is more than just a tech fest. With over 550 of the firm’s top technologists from around the world convening in our Dallas Technology Center, it’s a melting pot of innovation, knowledge-sharing, and networking. 

Beyond the presentations, there's so much opportunity to meet and network. The entire Plano campus transforms into a vibrant hub dedicated to celebrating technological advancements and fostering collaboration. It's an environment where you can meet the best engineers and subject matter experts, exchange ideas, and gain insights into the latest industry trends. Plus, it's always fun to get some swag, and the food and entertainment are second to none! The DEVUP crew goes above and beyond to ensure that both participants and speakers are treated exceptionally well, even rolling out the red carpet, with  crew members lined up along the pathways of the campus to greet you. Talk about feeling like a rock star!

What I have learned and applied after each DEVUP conference has been tremendous. The connections I’ve made have had a great impact on my professional and personal growth. This year's conference was another resounding success, and I am grateful for having had the opportunity to share my research with such a distinguished audience. Here's to many more successful DEVUP conferences in the future!

A first timer’s DEVUP takeaways

By Cristina Mocanu, Corporate & Investment Bank Technology

Attending DEVUP for the first time and speaking about how collaboration and team contributions can advance cloud modernization was a remarkable experience. What started as a learning opportunity became much more. DEVUP wasn't just about absorbing technical knowledge; it was a vibrant hub where I got to build genuine connections and trust to make future collaborations effortless.

Meeting people face-to-face after months of virtual communication made a world of difference. There's something powerful about being in the same room with colleagues who share your passion, exchanging ideas in real time and seeing how everyone brings something unique. It made me realize how important human connection is in engineering, where teamwork and innovation go hand in hand.

For someone like me, fresh out of university, learning about the company’s broader vision was eye-opening. What struck me was the diversity of ideas and backgrounds. People from different parts of the company, with varied experiences, were all there with a shared sense of purpose. Seeing the projects we're working on reminded me of the impact we're making and that I'm part of something bigger than myself. It was a powerful shift in mindset, from focusing on daily tasks to understanding the larger goals we're driving toward.

I left DEVUP feeling inspired, energized by the projects our firm is working on, and motivated to push myself even more! DEVUP wasn't just a conference – it was a reminder of the endless possibilities ahead. It reinforced my ambition to keep growing, both personally and professionally. It's been a powerful reminder of how fortunate I am to be part of this incredible team, and I'm excited for what the future holds!

Exploring hybrid social networking at DEVUP

By Fannie Liu, Eric Wang, and Bill Moriarty, Global Technology Applied Research

DEVUP is an amazing opportunity to connect with other engineers. To broaden participation for those who cannot attend in person, Global Technology Applied Research’s Immersive Tech team collaborated with DEVUP to explore solutions for employees to be able to experience the conference remotely. But if you’ve ever attended a hybrid conference with in-person and remote attendees, you’ll know that it’s subpar for the remote participants. Beyond simply livestreaming talks, remote participants don’t get opportunities to network with others – one of the key reasons to attend a conference.

With this in mind, we set out to create a hybrid DEVUP experience that would ensure remote and in-person attendees can interact with each other and have a truly blended experience.

We created the “HybridPortal” prototype, a portal connecting in-person attendees in Texas with remote attendees in a 3D virtual world. In the physical world, the portal is a movable TV cart in the conference center, displaying the virtual world and remote attendees (who appear as avatars) in it. In the virtual world, the portal is a live view of the conference, streamed from a camera on the cart. The physical and virtual worlds are aligned with the exact same layout, so in-person attendees can push the portal to see more of the virtual world, while the virtual portal simultaneously moves to the same location in the virtual world as the physical world. Attendees can chat through the portal over audio and interact through augmented reality ice-breaking activities and group selfies.

Through AR/VR technology, we ensured that any participant, regardless of their physical location, can engage with the conference, fostering a more inclusive and interactive environment for everyone involved.

Connect, learn, and apply for good

By Maria Freyre, Global Technology Media Relations

At JPMorganChase, part of what makes the engineering experience so fulfilling is the myriads of opportunities to give back to the communities we serve. At DEVUP, technologists had the chance to engage with Tech for Social Good, where they learned how they can use their skills to create social impact.

The first day, Tech for Social Good welcomed former and current volunteers to connect with each other and learn more about the program’s past impact and future initiatives. At the expo, DEVUP attendees tested their knowledge on youth and technology education by spinning the Wheel of Tech. By doing so, they also learned more about Tech for Social Good’s mission and just how important it is to provide high quality tech education to youth communities.

The energy and enthusiasm the activities generated lingered throughout the rest of DEVUP’s programming. The next day, Tech for Social Good’s EduCreator Lab was in full flight with a collaborative open lab designed for our technologists to brainstorm ways to inspire and teach our youth. From coding to game design, participants ideated a topic to craft an interactive, educational workshop tailored for youth.

Throughout EduCreator Lab sessions, the Tech for Social Good team provided tips, guidelines, resources, and any support that would get them to the finish line. As always, the ideation and innovation that happens at DEVUP doesn’t just stay there. Once they’ve built their workshops, participants submit it to be considered for Tech for Social Good’s Global Education Portfolio, providing youth curriculum on technology topics to students. Workshops that are selected may become part of the team’s youth initiatives.