UbuCon Kenya 2026

Workshop - From Predictive to Generative AI: A Hands-On Journey Through the AI Revolution

27 Mar 2026, 15:00

1h 45m

Data science and intelligent systems

Speaker

Mr Kevin Obote

Guild Code

Description

Overview
This interactive workshop explores the paradigm shift in AI, from traditional predictive models to modern generative systems, using live coding, real datasets, and practical examples. Attendees will experience AI not as a black box, but as a tool they can build, understand, and deploy themselves.

Workshop Structure

Part 1: The Predictive World (Traditional ML)

1. Demonstration using the Titanic dataset
2. Classic pipeline: Load → Clean → Train → Predict
3. Hands-on with Logistic Regression via scikit-learn
4. Limitation: Outputs only known categories (0 or 1, survived/died)

Part 2: The Generative World (LLMs)

1. Solve the same problem using natural language prompts

2. Introduction to prompt engineering as the “new programming”

3. Compare cloud AI (Google Gemini API) vs local AI (Ollama)

4. Breakthrough: AI that explains, creates, and converses

Part 3: Interactive AI Chat System

1. Ask AI questions about the data in plain English

2. Receive insights, explanations, and analysis on-demand

3. Experience AI as an intelligent assistant, not just a calculator

Technical Stack

1. Python 3.8+ with Jupyter Notebooks

2. Scikit-learn for traditional ML

3. Google Gemini API for cloud generative AI

4. Ollama for local AI on Ubuntu/Linux

Justification

This workshop is valuable to UbuCon attendees because:

Ubuntu as an AI Platform: Demonstrates practical AI/ML development on Linux, emphasizing open-source and local deployment.

Privacy-First AI: Shows how to run large language models locally using Ollama, a unique opportunity for privacy-conscious developers.

Hands-On Skills: Participants leave with code, setup scripts, and clear instructions to replicate AI workflows.

Timely & Relevant: Understanding predictive vs generative AI is essential for modern software development.

Community Building: Materials are open-source, enabling attendees to teach others and contribute to the Ubuntu ecosystem.

Project Ready: Ideal for developers aiming to integrate AI into chatbots, analytics, or intelligent applications.