🇲🇹 Tech Events in Malta

Quantum threats are real and no longer science fiction. One day quantum computers may threaten cryptography and Q-Day might already be in 2029.

Google and Oratomic just published papers that bring practical quantum computing dangerously close. We're past "is this possible?” -stage and now it's "how long until someone drains Satoshi's wallet?"

Meet Duncan Townsend, Principal Smart Contracts Engineer at 0x/matcha.xyz. He joined in 2022 after serving as Co-Founder and CTO at Immunefi. With an M.Eng. and S.B. in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering from MIT he will share his foresight and relevance of quantum computers- not only in regard to your Bitcoin wallet.

No hype. Just facts. See you there to join the discussion!

*we open doors at 7 pm and the presentation is from 8-9 pm followed by open networking

Join us at the Microsoft Malta office for another evening of technical
learning and networking around the Microsoft Data Platform.
Two sessions. One foundational. One deep.
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🧠 Session 1 — From ML to AI Agents: The Journey That Changed Everything
◆ The Data Introduction Session
Before we talk about SQL Server 2025, we need to speak the same language.
This session tells the story of AI from the beginning:
→ From ML and its narrow, task-specific roots
→ To large language models and the generative AI explosion that followed
→ To the agent landscape everyone is navigating but few have clearly mapped
Models, agents, assistants, copilots, skills, tools — and the very different
types of agents hiding behind the same word.
You will leave with a mental model that makes every AI conversation,
and every vendor pitch, easier to evaluate.
◆ No prior AI experience required.
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🗄️ Session 2 — SQL Server 2025 News: AI Integration and More
◆ The Main Session
SQL Server 2025 marks a turning point for Microsoft's flagship database engine.
This is the honest version of the story.
→ The vector journey from Azure SQL to what SQL Server 2025 delivers in RTM
→ What is GA, what is still in preview, and what that means for production
→ DiskANN vector indexes, AI_GENERATE_EMBEDDINGS, AI_GENERATE_CHUNKS
→ CREATE EXTERNAL MODEL — calling LLMs without leaving SQL Server
→ Fuzzy string functions: EDIT_DISTANCE, Jaro, and when NOT to use vectors
Build semantic search and RAG pipelines inside the database.
No separate vector store required.
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🤝 Networking
The evening includes time to connect before and after the sessions.
Whether you are deep in the Microsoft Data Platform or just getting started,
this is your space to ask questions and exchange ideas with the community.

📍 Microsoft Malta Office

The Department of Tourism Management at the University of Malta, in collaboration with GDG Malta and UN Tourism, is organising a two-day hackathon taking place from Friday 8th May to Saturday 9th May.

Chill with AI: Intelligent Urban Heat Mitigation Solutions

This event brings together participants for two days of learning, building, and pitching innovative ideas. It includes a hands-on workshop on AI-driven prototyping, followed by a hackathon where teams will develop solutions and present them to a panel of experts.

Participants are encouraged to bring their ideas and collaborate to create impactful solutions that help keep our cities cooler and more sustainable.

Register your team using the form: https://forms.gle/fV8N1PFCcq9qL18L7

Agenda

Day 1

9:00 AM: Workshop on Prototyping with AI

1:00 PM: Start of Hackathon

Day 2

6:00 PM: Final Presentation of idea

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Hosted By

James Gatt, Administrator

AOSP Enthusiast
Recognized Developer on XDA Developers
Experienced with both AOSP and Device Engineering

Matthias Bartolo, Logistics

Matthias Bartolo (Graduate Student Member, IEEE) received the B.Sc. IT (Hons.) in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Malta in 2024, graduating with First Class Honours and ranking first in his cohort. He subsequently completed an M.Sc. in ICT by Research at the University of Malta in 2025. His principal research interests lie in computer vision, applied machine learning, and in exploring how AI may be harnessed to support and empower individuals. He has gained considerable experience working on real-world projects involving complex datasets, developing practical solutions in contexts where the way forward was not immediately apparent. In this regard, he upholds a strong commitment to integrity and embraces the ideal of being “a man for others,” striving to use his abilities in service of the greater good.
Matthias is actively involved in multiple projects that bridge research and application, advancing computer vision and applied machine learning techniques while contributing to several peer-reviewed publications. He was selected as a member of the Google Developers Group in Malta, where he contributes to various projects and initiatives within the group and the university. Beyond his academic and technical work, he also forms part of several voluntary organisations, further reflecting his commitment to service and community engagement. In 2024, he was honoured with the Dean’s List Award by the Faculty of ICT in recognition of his outstanding academic achievements, and was robed by the Rector during the graduation ceremony as the top student of his cohort.

Joseph Grech, Hospitality

Matthew Mangion, Designer

Andrea Filiberto Lucas, Marketing

I am a Research Support Officer I within the Department of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Malta and a Master of Science student specialising in AI. My work focuses on applied computer vision, intelligent systems, and dataset-driven research. I contribute to active research projects within the Faculty of ICT, with responsibilities ranging from model development and evaluation to data processing, automation, and system integration.

I am particularly interested in bridging academic research with real-world applications through practical AI solutions and collaborative development.

Jonathan Attard, Treasurer

Gabriel Hili, Community Engagement

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Partners

University of Malta (https://www.um.edu.mt/ict/ai)

UN Tourism (https://www.untourism.int)

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Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-malta-presents-chill-with-ai/.

If you're living in Mellieħa (Malta) and want to meet other digital nomads and location-independent founders/entrepreneurs, this meetup is for you:

Friday Coffee Meetup @ Mellieħa
📍 TuttoBuono (Triq Gorg Borg Olivier, Il-Mellieħa)
⏰ 8 May 2026, 11:00 AM
☕ For WFH and remote workers who want a real coffee chat
🤗 Everyone is welcome!

Whether you're new in Malta, working remotely, or just looking to meet new friends, this is a relaxed, no-agenda hangout.

Here’s what to expect 👇
1.⁠ ⁠Meet people living or working in north of Malta
2.⁠ ⁠⁠Share stories, experiences, or travel tips.
3.⁠ ⁠⁠Make new friends in a warm, easygoing environment.

Open to everyone: expats, locals, digital nomads, freelancers, and anyone who wants to connect.

If you’re looking to expand your circle and enjoy good coffee, join us! 🎉