The Stack Overflow Podcast “Data is the key”: Twilio’s Head of R&D on the need for good data
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Jan 10, 2025 Inbal Shani, Chief Product Officer and Head of R&D at Twilio, dives into the intersection of AI and communication. She discusses the evolution of Twilio towards personalized customer engagement powered by AI and the necessity of high-quality data for effective AI applications. Inbal highlights the challenges developers face today, the importance of responsible AI, and the innovative roles AI plays across various sectors. She also shares insights on the skills junior developers need to thrive in this rapidly changing landscape.
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From Aerospace to AI
- Inbal Shani started as an aerospace engineer focusing on navigation and control systems.
- Her work led her to explore genetic algorithms for optimizing controllers in dynamic systems.
Genetic Algorithms Niche
- Genetic algorithms are not obsolete, but they have found their niche in complex optimization problems.
- Like other AI techniques, they were initially overapplied, and LLMs might follow the same trajectory.
LLMs and Accuracy
- LLMs are not ideal for tasks requiring accuracy, like search engines, due to their generative nature.
- Combining generative AI with rule-based AI approaches can yield better results for specific tasks.