Learning is not a spectator sport

I’ve just been on the AIOUG Yatra tour, a rollercoaster ride of 6 conferences across 6 cities in just over a week. As always, the Indian tech community is full of energy and enthusiasm, and the week was a fantastic experience. Good friend Basheer Khan did a keynote on the emergence of AI tools such as ChatGPT, discussing plethora of opportunities it might offer. (If you’re interested in an alternative view, where AI poses an existential threat to humanity, here is a fantastic discussion on the topic with Yuval Noah Harari )

Anyway, to put Basheer’s keynote to the test, I asked ChatGPT to produce a summary of the Yatra tour, and rather than simply pass it off as my own content, I’ll take each section it produced and give it a scorecard for correctness.

So here we go…

My Unforgettable Journey with Yatra Tour: Embracing Oracle Enthusiasm, Culture, and Community

Namaste! I am thrilled to share my incredible experience as a speaker at the Yatra Tour, organized by the All India Oracle User Group. This journey has been nothing short of amazing, filled with Oracle enthusiasm, cultural exploration, and the warmth of a closely-knit community.

Score: 9/10.  This is pretty much a perfect summary of the Yatra tour. The pressure of the schedule, and the volume of attendees builds a great comradery amongst the speakers, and also creates a great bond between speakers and attendees.

Discovering the Essence of India’s Vibrant Cities

As I embarked on the Yatra Tour, I knew I was in for an extraordinary adventure. From the moment I landed in Mumbai, I was captivated by the bustling energy of the city. The tour took us to other magnificent cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai, each with its unique charm and history. Immersing myself in the vibrant culture of these cities left me in awe and inspired me throughout the tour.

Score: 7/10. We didn’t land in Mumbai, and to my knowledge, we’ve never landed there as the first city for  the tour. But it is indeed true that each of these cities presents a different view of India and shows the variety of cultures in different parts of the country.

A Journey of Gastronomic Delights

India’s culinary diversity is legendary, and the Yatra Tour offered an unparalleled opportunity to indulge in a variety of delectable dishes. Hyderabad’s aromatic Biryani and Mumbai’s tantalizing street food were among my favorites. Sharing these delightful meals with fellow attendees forged connections that transcended language and borders, unifying us in our love for good food and great company.

Score: 6/10. Yes the food is amazing in India, but rest assured, no-one on the tour heads out into the streets for “rustic” cuisine. That is a sure fire way for our unprepared western stomachs to have problems! However, I did share many great lunches with the attendees, and just with the speaker group, but I think it was our common interest in tech rather than our love of great food that builds the bonds.

Enthusiastic Attendees and Engaging Sessions

One of the most gratifying aspects of the Yatra Tour was interacting with the enthusiastic Oracle community. The passion and eagerness of the attendees to explore Oracle technologies were truly inspiring. Their questions and eagerness to learn made each session I delivered a rewarding experience.

Moreover, the opportunity to attend sessions by other experienced speakers provided valuable insights into the latest developments in the Oracle ecosystem. Engaging in conversations with attendees during breaks and networking events gave me a chance to understand their unique challenges and perspectives.

Score: 9/10. At risk of alienating others around the world, the India tech community stands alone in terms of attendee engagement and enthusiasm. In so many places around the world, chatting with the speaker after a session is “frowned upon” or just not really part of the conference experience. Compare that to India where there is a good chance the majority of the crowd are going to do a “stage rush” to chat with the speaker or grab a selfie the moment they finish talking.

The Power of Community – A Heartwarming Experience

The sense of community during the Yatra Tour was unlike anything I had experienced before. As a speaker, I was touched by the genuine warmth and openness of the participants. Whether during Q&A sessions, panel discussions, or casual gatherings, the camaraderie among attendees was evident.

Sharing my knowledge and expertise with the audience felt incredibly fulfilling. Witnessing the participants helping each other, exchanging ideas, and forming new connections was a testament to the strength of the Oracle user community in India.

Score: 8/10. OK, ChatGPT might be getting a bit carried away here but definitely the underlying sentiment of the above sentences is legitimate. As a speaker, nothing leaves you feeling more satisfied than attendees wanting the discuss content after the session.

Conclusion – A Journey That Will Stay With Me Forever

As the Yatra Tour concluded, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. Gratitude for being a part of such an amazing event, excitement for the friendships I made, and the inspiration I gained. This journey has left an indelible mark on my heart.

The Yatra Tour is much more than a tech conference; it is an immersive experience that celebrates the spirit of Oracle, the richness of Indian culture, and the power of a close-knit community. I return home with a renewed sense of purpose, eager to continue contributing to the Oracle ecosystem and cherishing the memories of this unforgettable journey.

Until we meet again, Yatra Tour, I eagerly await the next chapter of Oracle enthusiasm, cultural exploration, and community bonding. Until then, let’s keep the Oracle flame burning bright, united as one big Oracle family!

Score: 10/10. I was thrilled this year to see a number of speakers doing their inaugural Yatra tour. Admittedly, a few fell to the dreaded “Delhi Belly” which I’m sure left a different kind of lasting memory of their journey. But that aside, I think all would agree that this tour is like no other – being in equal parts challenging and rewarding for any speaker who undertakes it.

This was my (I think) 6th or 7th Yatra tour, and every time it reveals a new facet of India and the India people to me. But sitting above that is more my challenge to anyone hosting an Oracle technology event, no matter how large or small – use the Indian example – encourage attendees to be energetic, enthusiastic and make sure you create an event that encourages attendees and speakers alike to have lively debate and discussion. That’s how we continue to make our Oracle  community prosper.

Huge thanks to Sai and  the whole AIOUG team for another great Yatra event.