Carl Lapierre at ConFoo 2026: Agent Systems, AI, and Tech Leadership

ConFoo spoke with our colleague Carl Lapierre, Lead Developer at Osedea, ahead of his return as a speaker at this year’s event. You can read the original article (French) here.

ConFoo is a larger-than-life event, and it can sometimes be difficult to describe it accurately. That’s why we want to share the stories of the speakers we have the pleasure of working with, who can put it into words. This time, let us tell you about our conversation with Carl Lapierre, Lead Developer at Osedea and a ConFoo speaker for the second time.

Hello Carl, and thank you for taking the time to sit down with us. You’re now a regular at ConFoo, both as a speaker and a participant. To start, why do you come back every year?

"It might sound like a simple answer, but personally, I think it’s the best conference. Not just for the number of presentations available, but especially because it’s a unique event. Every year, it brings together the top professionals in the industry here in Montreal for a massive exchange of knowledge. It makes me proud to have that right in my backyard!

And as a speaker, I have easy access to this amazing learning opportunity. Yann is a welcoming host who genuinely enjoys receiving guests. You can tell he’s in his element and he communicates his hospitality well, especially to speakers and participants coming from out of town. Between networking evenings and typically Quebecois outings, like the famous sugar shack for speakers, there’s never a dull moment!"

With the tech world constantly evolving, it’s essential to stay ahead in the industry. Which presentation have you already marked on your calendar this year?

"I have a strong interest in everything related to AI and agent systems. I think this will be a big year for this field, and it’s what I recommend people pay close attention to. I’m particularly excited to hear what Nicolas Nadeau will share with us.

I also strongly recommend looking into agent governance—the safeguards to put in place to avoid mishaps. I’m actually giving a presentation on this topic myself.

And perhaps surprisingly, I’m extremely interested in soft skills: leadership, team dynamics, organizational architecture. These talks have greatly helped me grow as a professional. They are among my top recommendations."

This year, we’ll again have many new participants. If you could go back in time and meet a young Carl at his first ConFoo, what advice would you give him?

"I’d tell him it’s one of the best places to start building a career. The diversity of technical topics can really propel someone forward quickly.

But I’d emphasize even more the importance of soft skills. Last year, a talk on the role of a team lead helped me enormously in my position as Lead Developer. You should never underestimate these presentations.

And finally, arrive hungry because the food at ConFoo is excellent, and fill your schedule to the brim. Once you’re there, you won’t want to miss anything!"

If you want to learn more about the latest developments in artificial intelligence, don’t miss Carl Lapierre’s presentations on agent systems and context engineering at ConFoo.