The Joe Reis Show

Carly Taylor, a data enthusiast and writer on Substack, shares her unconventional views on careers and education. She critiques the glamorization of Big Tech and Ivy League schools, discussing the reality of job monotony and the evolving job market. Carly highlights the importance of networking over traditional degrees and recounts her own journey in data engineering. The conversation dives into creative financial education for kids, fueled by delightful anecdotes about food and lessons learned in Costa Rica.

Remco Broekmans, a data modeling expert from the Netherlands affiliated with Genesee Academy, dives deep into the art of data management. He discusses the resurgence of data modeling due to evolving vendor solutions and the critical need for effective communication between data modelers and business leaders. The conversation also navigates the challenges of non-relational data models and critiques common misconceptions about Data Vault methodologies. Remco emphasizes the transformative potential of AI in data practices and the enduring importance of human connections in a digital world.

Eevamaija Virtanen, a data expert from Helsinki, discusses her insights at Data Day Texas. She emphasizes the essential 'bridge skills' needed in data management to solve long-standing industry challenges. The conversation navigates the importance of emotional intelligence and trust in organizations, contrasting societal structures in Finland and the U.S., and highlights the need for adaptability in a changing workforce. Eevamaija also explores how AI impacts employment and the critical role of human qualities in shaping the future.

Chip Huyen, an AI engineering expert and author of 'AI Engineering,' discusses the future of AI application development. He shares insights on using advanced AI models like ChatGPT in innovative ways. Huyen emphasizes the importance of understanding foundational concepts to avoid common pitfalls in AI projects. The conversation dives into the phenomenon of AI hallucinations and the evolving roles of engineers in this space. Finally, he predicts a transformative rise of AI agents by 2025, highlighting their potential to revolutionize workplace efficiency.

Jamie Davidson, Chief Product Officer at Omni and former VP of Product at Looker, dives into the realm of modern data modeling. He discusses the evolution from startups to big tech and back, emphasizing the need for accessible data in business intelligence. The conversation highlights the balance between agility and structure in data modeling, and the importance of partnerships with companies like Snowflake. Davidson also shares insights on future AI advancements, the shift towards cost-effective data solutions, and innovative technologies like DuckDB.

Carly Taylor, Director of Engineering at Microsoft and LinkedIn content creator focused on burnout, joins Ghalib Suleiman, Co-founder and CEO of Polytomic. They tackle the pressing issue of burnout, especially in tech. The conversation covers the emotional toll of unfulfilling work, societal pressures on younger generations, and the impacts of AI on job dynamics. They also highlight the importance of building supportive networks and the need to acknowledge genuine struggles rather than succumbing to toxic positivity.

Sarah Levy, CEO of Euno and expert in data and AI, shares her journey from healthcare to fintech. She discusses the challenges of data governance, balancing accessibility and consistency, and the power of product-centric approaches. Levy highlights the importance of Graph Databases in managing complex data relationships and the transformative role of large language models in unifying coding languages. She also reflects on the balance between AI and human oversight in data tasks, and the unique hurdles faced by startups in the evolving landscape of data governance.

In this discussion, Carsten Bange, the Founder & CEO of BARC and an expert in data strategy, delves into the evolution of data culture and the impact of decentralization on analytics. He emphasizes the importance of data quality and accessibility as organizations enhance their AI capabilities. The conversation also highlights the dual role of AI in data management, advocating for a balance between automation and human insights. Expect intriguing insights on fostering an ethical data culture and navigating the complexities of today's data landscape.

The discussion tackles whether AI chatbots can truly replace traditional Business Intelligence tools like dashboards. There's a debate about the coexistence of old-school BI with new AI technologies. The show highlights the challenges of dashboard adoption in businesses and how AI might enhance or hinder this. It presents insights on the evolving landscape of Business Intelligence and the balance between data-driven decisions and instinct.

Dave Colls, a data mesh and machine learning expert at Next Data, and David Tan, an engineering manager at Xero with a rich background in software and ML, discuss building effective machine learning teams. They explore the importance of multidisciplinary approaches and the unique challenges in ML projects. The duo also touches on the seven wastes in data management, integrating lean principles for enhanced productivity, and the need for a product mindset in data products. Plus, they share a light-hearted moment discussing Melbourne's coffee culture!