I'm Luca Zulian, a Senior Backend Engineer with over 20 years of experience building scalable, reliable, and high-availability distributed systems. I specialise in Elixir, Phoenix, PostgreSQL, and TypeScript, working across the backend stack to deliver clean, maintainable solutions. Lately I've also been integrating AI and large language models (LLMs) into production applications, building intelligent features and agentic systems.
I'm passionate about functional programming, distributed systems, and exploring the foundations of computation through compilers, type theory, and formal methods.
Current Stack: Elixir, Phoenix, PostgreSQL, TypeScript
AI & LLM: Anthropic Claude, LangChain, OpenClaw, OpenCode, RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation), Prompt Engineering, Agentic AI Systems
Also Experienced With: C, C#, Python, Haskell, Rust
Exploring: Haskell, Erlang, OCaml, Racket, Agda, Elm
I've been working hands-on with large language models and agentic AI β integrating LLMs into production backends, designing multi-step autonomous agents, and building AI-powered product features. Key areas of focus:
- Agentic AI: designing systems where LLMs autonomously plan, reason, and execute multi-step workflows
- LLM Integration: embedding Anthropic Claude and other models directly into backend services via API
- RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation): building knowledge-grounded pipelines for accurate, context-aware responses
- Prompt Engineering: crafting structured prompts and chains for reliable, production-grade LLM behaviour
- AI-powered features: using AI to automate complex business logic and enhance user experiences
- Large Language Models (LLMs) & Agentic AI Systems
- Programming Language Theory & Implementation
- Distributed Systems & Concurrency
- Formal Methods & Theorem Proving
- Robotics & Autonomous Systems
- Cryptography & Security
- Functional Programming Paradigms
- Machine Learning & AI Fundamentals
Agentic AI systems, prompt engineering, RAG pipelines, cryptography, Racket, and diving deeper into AI/ML and linear algebra fundamentals.
Based in Milan, Italy, I'm active in tech communities and meetups. When I'm not programming, you'll find me:
- Reading (philosophy, history, tech)
- Outdoors (walking, running, climbing, sailing)
- In the kitchen (making fresh pasta or baking bread)
- Practising meditation and yoga
Currently reading:
- Introduction to Linear Algebra
- Mathematics for Machine Learning
- Python for Data Analysis
- Understanding Cryptography, Second Edition
- The Little Learner
- How to Design Programs
- Operating Systems: Three Easy Pieces
- Programming in Lua
- The Erlang Run-Time System
Tech books I have read lately:
- Programming Elixir 1.6
- Programming Phoenix LiveView
- Programming Phoenix 1.4
- Designing Elixir Systems with OTP
- Concurrent Data Processing in Elixir
- Metaprogramming Elixir
Books I plan to read next:
You can find more on my Goodreads profile.