The Institute of Mathematics and Informatics is pleased to announce a public lecture by one of the founding fathers of the Agile movement, Dr. Alistair Cockburn. The event, titled Heart of Agile in the Era of AI, will take place on May 26, 2026, at 19:00 in the Mirror Hall of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski.”

Dr. Cockburn is a world-renowned expert, an original signatory of the Agile Manifesto (2001), and the author of the industry-standard Writing Effective Use Cases. His talk will address the Heart of Agile (Collaborate, Deliver, Reflect, Improve) as a practical compass in a landscape increasingly dominated by AI tools.

His visit is hosted by the Focus: ERA Chair project, implemented at the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The project emphasizes the digitization of cultural heritage — a field where technology meets history and collective memory. FOCUS (Fostering Open Cultural Heritage through Open Innovation and Open Science) operates at this very intersection of technology, culture, and innovation, aiming to transform how we preserve and experience cultural heritage in the digital age. The theme Heart of Agile highlights the importance of collaboration, user value, reflection, and adaptation as the foundation for creating real, effective solutions.

Key Topics:

  • Why the four core verbs of Agile are more critical than a list of “values.”
  • Slicing ambitious work into small, demonstrable steps.
  • AI’s impact: Faster production vs. sharper collaboration challenges.
  • Practical lessons from XP and real-world organizations.

The lecture is aimed at developers, architects, product leaders, students, and anyone involved in building creative digital products. As technology accelerates production, the need for clear communication and meaningful feedback grows. Dr. Cockburn will share insights on how to maintain the “human” element of software craft while leveraging modern tools to move fast without “losing the plot.”

Attendance is free of charge, but registration is required via this registration form to secure your spot.