Data Driven

On this episode of Data Driven, we’re shuffling up some probability, statistics, and a bit of Las Vegas magic with Dr. Michael Orkin—a renowned statistician, data scientist, and former advisor to casino odds makers. Hosts Andy Leonard, Frank La Vigne, and BAILeY dig into the fascinating numbers behind games of chance, uncovering why the house almost always wins and how our brains are wired to find patterns—sometimes where none exist.Whether you’re a data enthusiast, a casual gambler wondering why your lucky streak never lasts, or just curious about how randomness, probability, and big jackpots work, this episode has you covered. Dr. Orkin breaks down concepts like the house edge, expected value, card counting, the allure (and statistical pitfalls) of lottery tickets, and the psychology driving “hot” and “due” gambling strategies. Plus, he weighs in on lightning strikes, Black Swan events, correlation and causation, and the curious human habit of seeing connections in random outcomes.So, get ready for a lively conversation that reminds us data is everywhere—especially where stakes are high and luck seems just out of reach. Whether you’re here for probability puns, real-world math, or the stories Vegas doesn’t want you to know, this is one episode you won’t want to miss!LinksThe Story of Chance https://amzn.to/45qOe8x Dr Mike's Substack https://drmikeorkin.substack.com/Moments00:00 Casino House Edge Explained08:54 "Random Chance and Unlikely Events"12:03 Justifying Buying Lottery Tickets16:58 "SBF: Crypto King Unraveled"26:34 Lightning Strike Probability Calculation Issues32:26 Average Beyond Desk Boundaries33:26 "Defining Accident Prone"39:31 Misjudging Odds with Normal Curve45:50 Avoiding Lightning Strikes: Bay Area55:11 Casino Mind Games Experience56:20 Roulette Betting Strategies: Apophenia01:03:33 "Dr. Orkin's Website & Substack"01:07:19 "Probability and the House Edge"

Welcome to another episode of Data Driven, where we delve deep into the crossroads of data, technology, and the ever-shifting world of geopolitics. In this packed episode, hosts Frank La Vigne and Bailey are joined by Christopher Nuland, AI technical marketing manager at Red Hat, for a candid, no-holds-barred discussion on the newly released America's AI Action Plan.Together, they tackle everything from the resurgence of Cold War tensions in the AI arena to the complexities of “AI sovereignty” and what it really means for the US, China, and the rest of the world. Expect spirited debates about EU’s place in the global AI race, the real-world implications of chip supply chain disruptions, and the heated rhetoric around workforce security in an era when AI is starting to replace traditional jobs.The conversation weaves through existential questions—can AI ever truly reason, or are we just witnessing the rise of superpowered “spreadsheet goblins?”—and gets hands-on with the very real risks (and opportunities) of rolling out LLMs in everyday workplaces. Plus, the team touches on power-hungry data centers, potential impacts on the job market, and even finds time to swap sci-fi references from The Expanse to Ghost in the Shell to help paint a picture of what our AI-dominated future might look like.Buckle up for a dense, dynamic, and dangerously nerdy journey into the world of AI policy, technology, and what it means for all of us. Let’s get into it!Timestamps00:00 AI Geopolitics & America's Action Plan08:14 EU's Role in Tech Hierarchy14:10 "US Focus: Securing AI Workforce"20:40 Supply Chain Security in Software24:24 Politicians' Technical Proficiency Limits27:19 AI Sovereignty and Cultural Values33:52 CHIPS Act: Innovation and Expansion Hopes38:11 "AI Vulnerability: Patch Attacks"47:58 Maryland Power Line Controversy50:09 "AI Impact on Jobs & UBI"55:47 Techno Feudalism Perspective01:04:41 "AI Sovereignty: A Geopolitical Chess Match"

In today’s conversation, hosts BAILeY and Frank La Vigne sit down with Dr. Alan Becker, co-founder and CEO of E Self AI and former co-founder of Voca AI, which was acquired by Snap in 2020. Dr. Becker brings a powerhouse combination of academic expertise and entrepreneurial experience, with a PhD in machine learning and AI and research spanning voice, NLP, and computer vision.This episode dives into how E Self AI is transforming human-machine interaction by moving beyond chat and voice—introducing real-time face-to-face video AI assistants. Imagine smarter digital avatars that don’t just talk but engage visually and contextually, delivering personalized tutoring, streamlined customer service, and even real estate tours.Along the way, the conversation goes deep: they discuss the pyramid of engagement from text to voice to fully visual interaction, and what the next generation of AI means for education, accessibility, and the way we connect with each other. Dr. Becker offers insights from his research on multimodal AI and reflects on the very philosophical questions these new technologies raise—like authenticity, connection, and the future of what we call “real.”Whether you’re curious about the engineering magic behind lifelike avatars, the ethical dilemmas of AI interviews, or how technology is reshaping the learning experience, this episode is a fascinating look at where artificial intelligence—and humanity—are headed next.Strap in, update your firmware, and get ready to stay Data Driven.ESelf Website: https://www.eself.ai/TimeStamps00:00 "Exploring AI with Dr. Becker"05:49 Accessibility Drives eSelf's Innovation Journey06:58 Advanced Voice Interaction Evolution11:33 Personalized Tutoring via Multimodal AI14:33 AI in Sci-Fi and Real Life16:21 Understanding Users Via Encoding Algorithms19:44 Digital Twin to AI Avatars Transition23:14 AI Misunderstandings Due to Background Noise27:19 AI's Role in Job Interviews32:36 Nvidia Tool Alters Eye Contact35:15 AI-Human Communication Blur38:31 Reality and Gaming Perception Debate41:51 Influencer Reality vs. Perception44:45 Identity and Authenticity Dilemma48:30 "Influencer's Authenticity vs. Flashiness"53:22 Fake Celeb Math Explainer TikToks56:10 "AI's Future: Human-Like Interaction"57:07 Data-Driven Focus

Welcome to another episode of Data Driven—the podcast where we explore the future of technology, one neural network at a time. In this episode, your hosts Frank La Vigne and Bailey are joined by Christopher Newland, Principal AI Technical Marketing Manager at Red Hat, globetrotter, and resident connoisseur of computer flea markets. Together, they embark on a lively journey through the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.You’ll hear tales of racking servers in suburban garages, nostalgic detours through the golden age of CompUSA and cable boxes, and candid reflections on building (and rebuilding) home labs. But it’s not all geek nostalgia. The conversation dives deep into the highly-discussed AI 2027 report—a speculative look at how AI might break free from human control, achieve superintelligence, and fundamentally alter our relationship with technology and society.They unpack the challenges of AI infrastructure, the real-world limits of doomsday predictions, and the growing importance of data privacy and AI sovereignty. It’s a spirited, thought-provoking, and sometimes hilarious ride through past, present, and possible futures of artificial intelligence. So grab your favorite GPU-powered device, settle in, and get ready for a fascinating exploration of what might just send our world delightfully sideways by 2027!Time Stamps00:00 "AI 2027: Future Unplugged"05:47 Nvidia DGX Spark: AI Desktop Revolution09:42 "Experienced Workers Elevate Retail Experience"11:41 Early PC Build Challenges17:00 Supply Chain Management Challenges19:35 Garage Tech Showcase Challenges23:22 AI Deception and Arms Race24:34 Robotics Future and AI Manpower29:15 Concerns with 2027 AI Report32:41 Balancing Regulation and Free Market37:04 "Theoretical Limits of AI Models"38:32 "AI Sovereignty Discussion"43:03 "Stay Curious, Stay Data Driven"

 In this episode, host Frank La Vigne is joined by Amir Berman, VP of Industry Transformation at Buildots, to explore how AI, computer vision, and cutting-edge analytics are revolutionizing the construction industry. Forget everything you thought you knew about dusty blueprints and endless delays—Amir shares how technology is helping build smarter, safer, and more efficient job sites. From real-time progress tracking with 360° cameras to predictive analytics that keep billion-dollar projects on schedule, this conversation uncovers how digital transformation is reshaping one of the world’s oldest industries. Whether you’re a tech fanatic, data enthusiast, or just curious about how skyscrapers go from chaos to code, this episode builds a compelling case for the power of AI in construction. Grab your virtual safety goggles—let’s get hands-on with the future of building.Linkshttps://buildots.com/http://thedatadrivenbook.com/Timestamps00:00 Construction's Digital Transformation Insights09:15 Tech Vendors: Respect Contractors' Limits14:23 "Technology Enhances Construction Oversight"17:03 "Rewiring Minds: Tech Enhances Performance"27:25 Predictive Analytics Exposes Construction Delays28:19 Proactive Problem-Solving in Construction38:31 Tech-Enhanced Workforce Retention Strategy40:28 AI for Pipeline Problem Mitigation45:14 "From Flash to Data Analytics"52:24 The Innovator's Dilemma Explained54:56 Embracing AI After Windows Mobile Flop01:00:29 "Smart Construction with Computer Vision"

Geoff Woods, bestselling author of "The AI Driven Leader" and founder of AI Leadership, dives into how leaders can harness AI as a transformative thought partner. He explains his innovative CRIT framework to help executives go beyond basic AI use and tackle high-stakes decisions effectively. Through engaging real-world examples, Geoff illustrates AI's potential to reshape leadership and inspire personal growth, urging listeners to embrace AI as a collaborative ally rather than just another tech tool.

Andy and I are kicking off Season Nine of Data Driven with a bang: an insightful interview with Jeff Woods, author of “The AI Driven Leader.”Andy, Bailey, and I are thrilled to bring you brand-new conversations, deep dives, and data stories all season long. Stay tuned for the official release, and as always, thank you for being part of our data-driven journey.Listen for the Season Nine kickoff soon!

This week, Frank sat down with Dr. Jacob Leverich—Stanford PhD, cofounder of Observe, and a veteran of the Google MapReduce team and Splunk. Jacob’s journey, from tinkering with video game code as a kid, to innovating at the cutting edge of distributed systems and energy efficiency, is as inspiring as it is informative.Key TakeawaysEarly Tech Roots: Hear how curiosity with QBasic and classic PCs (think IBM PCXT and Commodore) put Jacob on a path to high-impact data engineering.MapReduce, Dremel, & the Rise of Big Data: Jacob pulls back the curtain on working with some of the most influential data processing tools at Google and how these systems shifted the entire data landscape (hello, BigQuery!).Building Efficient Systems: It’s not just about scale—energy efficiency and performance optimization are the unsung heroes of today’s data infrastructure. Jacob explains why making things “just work” isn’t enough anymore.The Realities of Ops & Observability: Remember the days of grepping logs at 2AM? There’s a better way. Jacob shares how platforms like Observe help teams consolidate, visualize, and act on operational data—turning chaos into actionable insight.Bridging Data & Ops: The lines between data observability and traditional ops are blurring, and Jacob’s unique experience shows how best practices from data warehousing are finally making ops smoother (and less sleepless).Power Concerns & the Future: As data grows, so does energy consumption in data centers. Find out why optimization isn’t just good for performance—it’s key to sustainability.Timestamps00:00 Interview with Jacob Levrich05:59 Journey into Game Programming06:43 "Pursuing Fast Video Game Code"10:23 Data Processing and Power Efficiency16:11 Snowflake's Transformative Database Approach19:18 Journey to Data Management Industry21:37 Data Products: Solving Core Challenges27:07 Early Web Log Analysis Techniques28:57 Consolidating Data for Efficiency33:23 Specialized Tools and Context Switching35:43 Unique Dual-Expertise in Tech38:58 User-Centric Business Strategies42:13 IP Data Analysis in Cloud47:23 Electricity Transport Upsets Local Farms48:25 Shift to Parallel Computing52:10 Hardware Specialization & Software Optimization57:32 "Stay Data Driven"

Welcome to another insightful episode of Data Driven! Today, we're diving into the world of warehouse-native analytics with our special guest, István Mészáros, cofounder of Mitsu. Join us as we explore how Mitsu empowers startups and enterprises with a new approach to data analytics. From his beginnings as a CERN physicist to becoming an open-source evangelist and finally a startup founder, István shares his unique journey through the data industry.We'll discuss the motivation behind Mitsu's distinct branding, reminiscent of Hello Kitty, and why standing out in today's crowded market is crucial. István also reveals the challenges and strategies of building a data company in Europe, and how Mitsu simplifies analytics by offering a self-service solution without the high costs associated with existing market leaders.Timestamps0:00 Introducing István Mészáros05:30 Shifting Open Source to SaaS07:46 Lava-Themed Compliance Solutions Brand10:27 Tech Branding and Hello Kitty Insights13:46 Optimizing Conversion in Data-Heavy Travel16:31 Self-Service Analytics Tool Needed19:17 Automated Product Analytics Tool23:20 "Budget Constraints and DIY Solutions"28:17 Freelancer's Efficient Data Solutions29:08 Open Source Tool Productization Plan33:13 Navigating Freelance and Startup Challenges37:19 Transitioning to Data Engineering42:25 Instant Feedback in Hobbies43:46 Embracing Feedback in Business Transformation49:13 "Hoping AI Takes Over Hiring"51:58 Visit Site for Info & Contact55:22 "Parenting Boys with Earbuds"57:25 "Data Driven: Quantum Podcast Relaunch"

On this episode of Data Driven, we welcome Barr Moses, CEO and co-founder of Monte Carlo, as she delves into the fascinating world of data observability. Join hosts Frank La Vigne and Andy Leonard as they explore how reliable data is crucial for making sound business decisions in today's tech-driven world. Learn why a simple schema change at Unity resulted in a $100 million loss and how Monte Carlo is developing cutting-edge solutions to prevent similar disasters. From discussions on ensuring data integrity to the intriguing potential of AI in anomaly detection, Barr Moses shares insights that might just redefine your understanding of data's role in business. Tune in for a podcast that not only uncovers the nuances of data reliability but also touches on the quirky side of tech, like why, according to Google, you should never use superglue to fix slipping cheese on your pizza.Moments00:00 Monte Carlo: Data Reliability Innovator05:45 "Data & AI Observability Engineering"09:42 Data Industry's Growing Importance12:00 Cereal Supply Chain Data Optimization16:03 Data Observability and Lineage19:29 GenAI Uncertainties and Latency Concerns23:17 "Human Oversight in AI Accuracy"24:12 Data Observability and Human Role28:01 Adapting to Customer Language33:29 Data and Security Management Alignment35:20 Data Reliability and Observability Challenges38:17 Automated Code Analysis Tool Launch42:29 Data-Inspired Childhood44:12 Passionate About Impactful Work48:52 LinkedIn Security Concerns Highlighted53:19 "Data Observability Insights"