A first con in Silicon Valley

Why this conversation

Siddarth Shekhar studies data science at San Jose State University and is in his second year. AGNTCon + MCPCon North America was the first conference he had ever attended. The host recorded with him in San Jose on 22 October 2026, the first day of the event, and his was the first interview of that day. The conversation is short, about two and a half minutes, and it turns on a simple question: what does a student hope to find at his first conference? His answers touch on learning, on where he grew up, and on how he is choosing a direction within data. The rest of that day is in AGNTCon + MCPCon North America 2026: day one.

His first con

The host opened by asking what he expected from AGNTCon + MCPCon. Siddarth began with the fact that framed everything else: “So this is my first ever con ever in Silicon Valley.” He is only in his second year at San Jose State, and the opportunity to attend came from one of the clubs he is a member of.

He had read an overview of the event beforehand, enough to know that it dealt with agentic AI and MCP, and with what people can do with them. That was reason enough for him. As a data science student, he said, this is exactly where he wants to be. What he hoped for was to see what is new and to learn a lot from the convention. The host checked that he had heard right: this was his first event? Yes, Siddarth said, his first event ever.

Close to home, in Silicon Valley

Asked about his upbringing, Siddarth said the Bay Area is where he was born and raised; Fremont is where he grew up. When the time came for college, he wanted to come here, to San Jose State, because it is near home. There is a second reason, one he says he tells people: the university is “smack dab in Silicon Valley.” So, as he put it, he feels right where he needs to be.

Data science, and what comes after

The host had understood that he was studying computer science. Siddarth corrected him: data science. The host thought that even better, and Siddarth agreed, since in his words the subject is literally aligned with AI.

Then came the question of what he will do later. Siddarth was candid about it: he is still a little unsure. The idea he has is something in data analysis or in data engineering. He does not rule out the other paths, and said that AI engineering and machine learning engineering would be cool. But people who work in the industry have told him that data engineering is the skill more in demand, the one people want, and that advice has weighed on him. “So that’s what I’m going to be leaning towards.”

No session circled

Did he have a session in mind for the day? No particular one that he was dying to attend, he said. His plan was to look at what was on and hope to learn, and that was it. The conversation ended by looking ahead to the keynote and its line-up of speakers, and to what they would have to say.

The host closed by thanking Siddarth and wishing him the best, adding: “You look like you are set for success.” Siddarth thanked him and wished him the same.

When it comes out

The episode is edited and in the release order. Like every episode it goes out on YouTube first, then on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.