GDG on Campus, NIST University, successfully conducted an advanced workshop titled “Intelligent Horizons: RAG, Cloud, and AI”, designed to introduce participants to the forefront of emerging technologies in Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), Cloud Computing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The workshop was inaugurated by Ankit Kumar Tripathy (GDG Lead ’25), followed by an address from Dr. Sandipan Mallik (Faculty Advisor, GDG NIST University), who emphasized the transformative role of GDG in building innovation-driven communities and promoting peer-to-peer learning within the university ecosystem.

With an impressive turnout of 150+ participants, the workshop blended conceptual learning, live demonstrations, and project-based practice, offering students a holistic view of modern technology stacks and their real-world applications.

Key Highlights:

• Exploring the Cloud Community and Real-World Use Cases
  Sayed Imran (Proud Alumnus & DevOps Engineer @ Convin, Multi-Cloud Certified Expert, and CNCF Kubestronaut.) provided participants with insights into how cloud-native architectures, DevOps practices, and scalable infrastructure are revolutionizing enterprises.

• Introduction to Generative AI Fundamentals
  Soumitra Ghosh (GenAI Lead ’25, GDG) introduced participants to the foundational concepts of Generative AI, its underlying models, and its applications across industries, setting the stage for hands-on experimentation.

• Hands-On Project on Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
  Sriom Dash (AI/ML Lead ’25, GDG) guided attendees through a practical implementation of RAG, demonstrating how combining large language models with external knowledge bases enables more accurate, reliable, and context-driven AI responses.

• Cloud Deployments and Services in Practice
  Pidugu Sai Naresh (Cloud Lead ’25, GDG) showcased live demonstrations of deploying applications and services on cloud platforms, highlighting strategies for scalability, security, and cost optimization.

Impact and Outcomes:

The workshop created a collaborative learning environment where participants not only understood the theoretical underpinnings of cutting-edge technologies but also engaged in hands-on activities to reinforce practical skills.The workshop provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of next-generation AI systems by blending cloud infrastructure, generative AI models, and retrieval-based augmentation techniques. Attendees left with the ability to:

• Grasp the architecture and working principles of RAG systems.

• Apply cloud-native practices for scalable AI deployment.

• Explore Generative AI tools for both academic and industrial applications.

The event successfully established a strong foundation for students to pursue advanced research, projects, and career pathways in AI and cloud technologies, aligning with global industry trends and innovation roadmaps.