Carol Willing

I am a globally recognized expert in Python development and open source software. As a board advisor and consultant, I guide early-stage organizations, and leadership teams in the complexities of open source governance, data science, AI, cloud, and Machine Learning. I am a core Python developer, three-time Python steering member, and Project Jupyter core contributor.

My contributions to science, open source, and technology are felt far and wide: I have transformed the way students learn with Jupyter notebooks; I’ve contributed and shared to countless open source projects such as AnitaB.org and CPython; I’ve advised many organizations in open source governance including Quansight Labs, CZI Open Source, and PyOpenSci. I am the recipient of the ACM Software System Award (2017) and the Frank Willison Award for technical and community contributions to Python (2019). I’m a co-organizer of PyLadies San Diego and San Diego Python User Group.

Throughout my career, I’ve built a reputation for embracing opportunity, scaling knowledge through the power of community, and approaching every challenge with curiosity, empathy, and kindness. I have a track record of building high-performance teams, helping organizations grasp the complexities of cloud-native environments, and influencing others through mentorship. I believe in the power of sharing, in the power of community. I also believe that through science and technology and art, we can discover more about who we are as humans. I’m deeply committed to sharing my knowledge with others through stories that make the world of technology and science accessible and relatable—through five-minute mentor moments to a keynote on a global stage.

When I am not coding or deep in research on data, AI, or cognitive science, you can find me in my Southern California garden, surrounded by succulents, restoring an old guitar, or building blinky wearables.


Sessions

07-10
09:30
45min
Embracing Python, AI, and Heuristics: Optimal Paths for Impactful Software
Carol Willing

Today's rapidly evolving software landscape requires agile and informed decision-making. This keynote will highlight the powerful combination of Python, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and heuristics for enabling dynamic decision-making processes.

We will explore the strengths of Python as a versatile language, the potential of AI for intelligent decision support, and the value of heuristics derived from real-world experience. By embracing this synergistic trio, developers can navigate complex challenges, adapt to changing requirements, and make decisions that drive successful software outcomes.

Through practical examples and insights, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to leverage Python, AI, and heuristics effectively, striking the right balance between technological innovation and tried-and-true techniques. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting your journey, this keynote will equip you with the tools and mindset to embrace agility and make informed decisions that propel your software projects forward.

Forum Hall
07-10
14:00
60min
CPython Core Development Panel
Łukasz Langa, Carol Willing, Petr Viktorin, Pablo Galindo Salgado, Victor Stinner, Lysandros Nikolaou, Hugo van Kemenade

Python has been evolving very rapidly in the last few years, and this is because new ideas have been taking over the Core Development. New ideas require new people, a new background and lots of energy.

This panel aims for the people to be aware of the changes that are coming in 3.13, and future versions, as well as ways people can contribute by testing features, fixing issues, or even sharing their own ideas.

Host: Konstantin Ignatov
Panelists: Pablo Galindo Salgado, Łukasz Langa, Carol Willing, Hugo van Kemenade, Victor Stinner and Petr Viktorin

South Hall 2B