High Signal: Data Science | Career | AI Episode 10: AI Won't Save You But Data Intelligence Will
23 snips
Feb 12, 2025 Ari Kaplan, Global Head of Evangelism at Databricks and a pioneer in sports analytics, dives into the crucial balance between harnessing data intelligence and the hype surrounding AI. He shares insights from his experiences with Major League Baseball and McLaren’s Formula 1, highlighting how effective data usage transformed sports strategies. Kaplan emphasizes the need to leverage quality data for better decision-making instead of relying solely on AI, and discusses the evolving landscape of data science skills necessary for future leaders.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Shifting in Baseball
- Ari Kaplan, early adopter of sports analytics, recounts the evolution of data-driven strategies in baseball.
- From initial skepticism to widespread adoption, data transformed defensive positioning (shifting) before rule changes banned it.
Microscopic Details in Football
- Travis Kelce, NFL player, emphasizes the importance of microscopic details for professional success.
- He exemplifies this by memorizing opponents' ball-catching tendencies to anticipate their moves and disrupt plays.
Adapting to the Future of Data Science
- Ari Kaplan advises data science professionals to constantly learn and adapt to the rapidly changing technological landscape.
- Focus on understanding business context and guiding AI agents, as repetitive coding tasks will be automated.
