Dive deep into DevTalks 2023 and find out more about our old friend, Reza Rahman

Reza Rahman, our dear friend, is coming once again to DevTalks to inspire you with his game-changing talk about „A Freakonomic Take on Open Standards and Jakarta EE”, on the Java Stage! Let’s get closer to him before meeting together on the 21st of June!

# Can you introduce yourself in a few words? 

I am Principal Program Manager, Java on Azure at Microsoft. I try to make sure Java developers are first-class citizens at Microsoft and Microsoft is a first-class citizen of the Java ecosystem.  I have been a part of the Java/Jakarta EE community for many years. In fact, I now represent Microsoft at the Jakarta EE and MicroProfile working groups in the Eclipse Foundation. 

  

# What's the coolest tech gadget or tool you've ever owned, and what made it so special to you? 

I use a continuous blood glucose monitor and automated insulin dosing system. Due to a genetic defect, my pancreas will never function correctly. These two devices will probably prolong my life much longer than would have been possible a few years ago. 

  

# If you could invent any piece of technology that doesn't currently exist, what would it be and why? 

I would love to help invent long distance space travel via wormholes. I genuinely believe humans are not the only species in the universe with higher cognitive functions. Effective space travel will allow us to meet more advanced civilizations we could learn from sooner and we could help advance less advanced civilizations ourselves. 

  

# What's the most unusual or unexpected way you've seen technology being used to solve a problem? 

When I travelled to India, China and Africa I was amazed to see how very poor people are using cell phones to make their lives a little bit easier including communication, shopping, online banking, and cashless payment. 

  

# If you could time-travel to any point in history with a piece of modern technology, where would you go and what would you bring? 

I would bring the knowledge of penicillin to early Muslim scientists like Ibn Sina that helped found modern medicine. I believe this would have advanced human civilization by leaps and bounds, possibly even eliminating the Black Plague. 

  

# If you could switch careers with anyone for a day, who would it be and why? 

I would switch with Kirk Hammett of Metallica. I don’t think most people realize one of the most defining lead guitarists in heavy metal is of Asian/Filipino descent. Kirk was an inspiration to me ever since my early teen years and he still is decades later. 

  

# What is your message for our Romania IT community? 

It is sometimes easy to despair when one sees violence, war, division, poverty, and injustice across the world. Taking a step back, one can see the world is a much closer and smaller place than it has ever been – thanks in large part because of the work we do as technologists. A testament to that fact is that I – a secular American Muslim of South Asian descent – am coming to speak in Romania – a country behind the Iron Curtain ruled by a dictator just a few decades ago. Let’s vow to continue to build bridges with each other as fellow technologists and human beings. We just might be humanity’s best chance at advancing peace, mutual understanding, justice, equality, freedom, and prosperity. 

Reza's return to DevTalks 2023 marks a momentous occasion for attendees and enthusiasts alike. With his captivating talk, he continues to ignite minds and push the boundaries of innovation.  

Be prepared to be enlightened, challenged, and inspired as we embark on this incredible journey with our friend, Reza Rahman.