The Joe Reis Show

Jessica Talisman, a Senior Information Architect at Adobe and former librarian, discusses her fascinating journey through the worlds of libraries and data. She highlights the crucial interplay between data science and knowledge, emphasizing the significance of cultural heritage in America versus Europe. Talisman also addresses the emotional hurdles faced by employees in corporate settings, underlining legal protections for medical accommodations. With humor, she explores the evolving role of libraries as community hubs and the human connections vital in an increasingly automated work environment.

Sarah McKenna, CEO of Sequentum and a leader in web scraping standards, dives deep into the world of data collection. She explains web scraping’s diverse applications in finance and NGOs, and its evolution alongside alternative data trends. Privacy concerns and challenges like bot blocking are examined, highlighting the importance of ethical data practices. McKenna also explores how AI is transforming web scraping, enabling smaller teams and introducing new challenges in data quality. Get insights on starting your own web scraping endeavors!

I recently overheard someone say, "I Don't Need to Learn Anything Anymore" because AI would do all of this person's work. This got me thinking about the future of learning, human expertise and depth, and more.

Juan Sequeda, Principal Scientist at data.world, and Jesus Barrasa, Field CTO at Neo4j, dive deep into the fascinating worlds of graphs and AI. They unpack the nuances of semantics and ontologies, revealing how these concepts shape knowledge representation. The duo contrasts RDF and property graphs, shedding light on their pivotal roles in data modeling. They also discuss how graph modeling enhances generative AI's ability to process unstructured data, ultimately transforming the future of data governance.

Data teams have had a rough few years. Lots of layoffs and cuts, doing more work with fewer resources, and a general sense of malaise. On top of all of this, now we're in the middle of a trade war. This is war. If you're a data team, you need to act accordingly.

Tim Berglund, the OG of DevRel at Confluent, dives into the captivating world of developer relations. He shares insights on evolving from public speaking to fostering community engagement and the critical role of empathy in tech. The conversation highlights the balance between AI tools and human storytelling in effectively reaching technical audiences. Tim also discusses the transformative impact of Kafka in data infrastructures and recounts his childhood passion for hardware hacking, exemplified by creating a Nixie tube clock.

Join a whirlwind tour of tech insights from a recent workshop and conference! Discover how the evolution of AI is revitalizing the coding experience, making it exciting and fun again. Hear about the importance of data engineering education and community among tech peers. The balance of using AI tools while mastering coding fundamentals is emphasized, alongside intriguing discussions about the latest trends in generative AI.

Juhani Vanhatapio, a data engineering and machine learning student from Finland's Arctic Circle, shares his unique journey from guiding Northern Lights tours to developing an AI Assistant for tourism. He discusses the enchantment of life in the Arctic, the paradox of Finnish happiness, and the challenges of shifting careers during the pandemic. Delving into tech education, he highlights the importance of domain expertise and reflects on the wonders of nature while tackling the uncertainties faced by new graduates in the evolving job market.

Dive into the evolving world of data engineering, where AI is reshaping the future. Discover the impact of economic turbulence and tariffs on the industry. Get excited about an upcoming workshop in Atlanta that focuses on practical data modeling and modern skills. There’s also talk of future networking events, featuring essential discussions on data quality and governance at Google Next. It's a mix of insights and rants that keeps you engaged!

Vin Vashishta, an expert in AI implementation in business, shares insights on the hurdles companies face amid AI hype. He discusses the disconnect CEOs experience when striving for meaningful outcomes while managing investor pressures. The conversation highlights the necessity of viewing IT as a growth driver rather than a cost center. Vin also reflects on how fast-food giants balance AI with the human touch, emphasizing strategies for successful customer interactions. He concludes with optimistic views on leveraging AI for tangible business improvements.