Adventures in Machine Learning

In today's episode, they delve deep into the intertwining worlds of technology, security, and innovation with Aaron Painter, CEO at Nametag. Aaron kicks things off by underlining the cultural facets in hiring, emphasizing the virtues of being good listeners, intellectually curious, kind, and respectful while achieving tangible results. We also explore the collaborative spirit in group product plan...

In today’s episode, they dive into the intricate world of MLOps with Brad Micklea, a seasoned expert with extensive experience in software infrastructure and leadership roles at Eclipse Shay, Red Hat, AWS, and Jozu. Brad shares his journey of founding Jozu, an MLOps company that stands out with its commitment to open standards such as the OCI standard for packaging AI projects. Alongside Jozu, the...

In today's episode, they dive deep into the evolving landscape of software development. Join us as Kirk, the CTO and founder at Graphlit, shares his journey from traditional software at Microsoft to pioneering perception ML for drone-based aerial intelligence.  They explore the paradigm shift from object-oriented to functional programming, the crucial role of software architecture, and the challen...

In today's episode, Michael and Ben alongside our guest Alex Levin dive deep into the evolving landscape of AI development and its broader implications on business and society. You'll hear Ben emphasize reducing the cost and time of AI development by leveraging open-source models, while Alex draws parallels between the AI industry and flat-screen TVs, advocating for AI as a public good. The conver...

In today's episode, Michael and Ben dissect the process of building maintainable and impactful products, emphasizing the crucial balance between innovation and simplicity. They explore personal and group learning curves, the value of collaboration, and the indispensable role of peer review in creating robust solutions. They'll also touch upon the nuanced perspectives of working at top tech compani...

 In today's episode, Michael Berk and Ben Wilson dive deep into the intricacies of technical interviews for machine learning roles. They discuss the importance of assessing candidates' genuine knowledge of traditional and deep learning models and the value of being candid about one's expertise. They explore how technical skills, particularly in applied machine learning, are evaluated with a focus...

Michael Berk and Ben Wilson from Databricks are joined by Brooke Wenig, who has a fascinating background in distributed machine learning. Today’s conversation dives deep into the intersection of AI, environmental science, and career transitions. They explore how individuals like Michael transformed their careers from environmental science to AI, leveraging existing expertise in innovative ways. Be...

Michael Berk and Ben Wilson join cybersecurity expert Daniel Miessler to delve into the cutting-edge world of AI and cybersecurity. They discuss the evolving tactics of attackers, from specialized targeting to AI-driven data collection. The episode tackles dynamic risk assessment, the arms race between attackers and defenders, and the role of open-source models in security. They explore AI's poten...

Fernando Lopez is an AI Engineer at Google. They delve deep into the realms of machine learning, documentation challenges in open-source projects, and the transition from startup environments to tech giants like Google. They share their candid experiences with impostor syndrome, practical tips for continuous learning, and the nuances of scaling solutions in the dynamic tech landscape. Explore the...

Deeksha Goyal is the Senior Machine Learning Engineer at Lyft and Michael Sun is the Staff Software Engineer at Lyft. They delve into the intricacies of machine learning and data-driven technology. In this episode, they explore the challenges and innovations in deploying models into production, particularly focusing on the real-world implications of ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) modeling at Lyft...

Matt Van Itallie is the Founder & CEO at Sema. This episode covers a wide range of topics, from the impact of AI and machine learning on software development and educational systems, to the importance of code reviews and career advice in the tech industry. Matt Van Italy shares his diverse experiences in law, consulting, public schools, and the tech sector, emphasizing the value of using data...

Lukas Geiger is a Deep Learning Scientist, open-source developer, and an astroparticle physicist. He shares his experience using machine learning to analyze cosmic ray particles and detect secondary particles. We explore the challenges and opportunities of open source as a business model, the potential of models for edge computing, and the importance of understanding open-source code. Join us as w...

Terry Rodriguez is the Co-Founder at Remyx AI. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in deploying and updating AI models for robotics, exploring the potential applications across various industries, and delving into the complexities of conducting experiments and controlling for interaction effects. You'll also hear from industry experts who have worked on recommender algorithms and enhanci...

Nick Schrock is the Founder of Dagster Labs. He is also the Creator of Dagster and the Co-creator of GraphQL. They delve into the world of data engineering, software development, and ML orchestration. In today's episode, they explore the challenges and intricacies of standardizing data movement, handling data access in various systems, and migrating data across different platforms. They share insi...

Ben and Michael dive into the dynamic relationship between engineers and scientists in the realms of software engineering and physical science. They explore the differences and similarities between these roles, sharing valuable insights on the research and testing processes, the importance of thorough research, the value of teamwork, and the challenges of transitioning between engineering and scie...

Michael and Ben dive into the critical role of design in software development processes. They emphasize the value of clear and understandable code, the importance of thorough design for complex projects, and the need for comprehensive documentation and peer reviews. The conversation also delves into the challenges of handling complex code, the significance of prototype research, and the distinctio...

Michael and Ben share their insights on being called in to fix issues in production systems at the last minute. They stress the importance of asking questions to understand the context and navigate the political landscape, and caution against providing half-baked solutions. They also discuss the significance of understanding project goals, documenting decision-making processes, and providing guida...

Ben and Michael dive into the world of machine learning operations (MLOps) and discuss the complexities of building a computer vision pipeline to detect fishing boats at ports. They unpack the intricacies of MLOps basics and the challenges of implementing an effective computer vision model for traffic optimization and data collection at ports. From discussing the importance of exploratory data ana...

Ben and Michael dive into the complex world of decision-making, transparency, and truth-seeking in professional settings. They share their insights on challenging decisions, navigating organizational hierarchies, and the importance of evidence-based arguments. From the intricacies of software development to the dynamics of leadership, they discuss the challenges and strategies for making informed...

Davis King is the perception engineer at Aurora. They talk about Dlib, which makes real-world machine learning and data analysis applications. They delve into the complexities of CUDA extensions, software layering, and the critical role of accurate data in machine learning. Join them as they dissect the challenges and importance of creating well-structured software with clear APIs, the intricacies...

Ben and Michael delve into the crucial aspects of coding, culture, and collaboration. From the importance of proper formatting and consistency in Python code to the challenges of changing organizational culture, they explore the impact of code quality on team dynamics and project success. They emphasize empathy, communication, and the power of a positive vision to drive change. Tune in to gain ins...

Konstantin Gizdarski and Jonas Timmermann are software engineers at Lyft. They dive deep into the world of machine learning and engineering at Lyft. Join them as they explore the challenges and successes of implementing reinforcement learning, contextual bandits, and advanced AI technologies in a real-world business environment. Learn about the collaborative engineering culture at Lyft, the develo...

James Lamb is a senior software engineer at NVIDIA. They delve into the world of open-source contributions and the impact of traditional machine learning on the modern economy. James shares his journey of becoming a maintainer of renowned open-source projects while offering valuable insights into the benefits and motivations behind contributing to the community. Join them as they explore the signi...

 Richard Berk delves into the exciting world of machine learning in a thought-provoking discussion on a wide range of topics. They explore the potential for Westworld-style androids, considerations in the criminal justice system, ethical implications of AI in warfare, and the challenges of understanding uncertainty in real-world data. From advanced language models and genetic algorithms to the imp...

Michael and Ben take a deep dive into the insightful journey spanning nuclear engineering, software development, and mentorship at Databricks. They delve into the complexities of career progression, the importance of humility and honesty in mentoring relationships, and the value of fostering a collaborative engineering culture. Join us as we explore the pivotal moments and impactful lessons that h...