Hidden Layers: AI and the People Behind It

In this episode, we change things up a bit. On May 1st, Ron met with Michael Wharton and Dr. ZZ Si of KUNGFU.AI to unpack the latest developments in AI. Together, we'll explore recent groundbreaking advancements, dissect their technological underpinnings, and debate their potential long-term effects on society and industry. They chat through Phi-3, Llama 3, Transformer-XL, InternVL, Infini-Attention, Apple’s MM1, OpenELM, Sam Altman's recent remarks on "steamrolling" the competition and more.

Join Ron as he explores the ins and outs of hiring practices in the fast-paced AI industry with KUNGFU.AI’s Director of People, Ryman Stringer. In this episode, Ron and Ryman discuss best practices for building and nurturing diverse AI teams. Ryman shares valuable insights on identifying top talent that aligns not only with technical skills but also with company culture and values.Learn about essential screening techniques, the importance of upskilling and continual growth, and strategies for fostering ethical and psychologically safe environments within AI teams. Discover how KUNGFU.AI cultivates a unique culture that emphasizes collaboration, growth, and inclusivity.

Join Ron Green in episode 17 as he delves into the world of artificial intelligence with industry veterans Paco Nathan and Dr. Steve Kramer.In this episode, they explore the rise of graph neural networks (GNNs), a game-changer in AI for modeling complex relationships across various domains. From weather forecasting to fraud detection, GNNs are revolutionizing how we leverage connected data.Discover how GNNs reduce computation time, tackle the cold start problem in recommendation engines, and even aid in election integrity. Learn about real-world applications in pharma, healthcare, and cybersecurity, and the promising future of hybrid AI architectures merging symbolic and neural approaches.Resources: www.kungfu.ai/videos/episode-17-understanding-real-world-applications-of-graph-neural-networks

Explore the past, present, and future of artificial intelligence in episode 16 of Hidden Layers, where Ron chats with Dr. Raymond Mooney, a luminary in the AI field. Delve into Dr. Mooney's vast experience and witness his firsthand account of AI’s transformative journey. From the rule-based systems of the '80s to the groundbreaking developments in machine learning and natural language processing, Dr. Mooney offers invaluable insights into the evolution of AI technologies. This episode not only traces significant milestones but also contemplates the ethical implications and future potential of AI. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that will deepen your understanding of AI's impact on society and inspire curiosity about what lies ahead.

In our newest episode, Ron Green has a candid conversation with his Co-founder and Managing Director of KUNGFU.AI, Stephen Straus.In this episode you will:-Get insights into their journey into AI and why they opted for services over products. Learn about the pivotal decisions that shaped our company's trajectory.-Gain a deeper understanding of Generative AI's role in today's transformative landscape. Ron and Stephen delve into its implications across various domains, from computer vision to natural language processing.-Explore the significance of culture, psychological safety, and trust in fostering innovation. Discover how these essential elements contribute to KUNGFU.AI's success.-Understand why ethical considerations are at the forefront of their AI ventures. Hear about their decision to turn down the first potential deal and the ethical principles guiding their company through industry challenges.-Learn how companies can navigate technological advancements while making meaningful contributions to society.Ron and Stephen end the episode by reflecting on whether we're experiencing the "golden age" of AI, drawing parallels to the early days of the internet.

In this episode, your host Ron Green is joined by colleague Alex Olden to dissect the multifaceted world of data science and its intersection with product sense in AI development.Alex, a senior data scientist at KUNGFU.AI, shares insights on anticipating user needs, identifying opportunities, and aligning AI development with customer requirements. With a background in English and applied statistics, Alex brings a unique perspective to the discussion.Episode Highlights:Understanding product sense through real-world analogies.Identifying opportunities through user-centric approaches.Balancing data-driven insights with intuition in AI development.Managing stakeholder relationships for effective collaboration.Navigating challenges unique to data science-driven product features.Link to Alex's blog: www.kungfu.ai/blog-post/product-sense-a-hidden-lynchpin-in-data-science-and-ai

In episode 13, join Ron Green as he explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and marketing with Jasper’s Al Biedrzycki, an expert with over 15 years of experience in scaling up organizations.In this episode:-Explore how generative AI is transforming marketing strategies and budgets, while navigating the crucial ethical considerations in balancing human creativity with automation.-Discover how Jasper serves as an AI co-pilot for enterprise marketing teams, focusing on empowering marketers to scale their efforts efficiently.-Uncover the dominant use cases of Jasper's generative AI tool, from orchestrating campaigns to ensuring brand consistency through tailored content generation.-Delve into the delicate balance between human creativity and AI automation, as Al shares insights on the necessity of human oversight and editing in content creation.-Explore how Jasper ensures responsible AI usage through thought leadership, technology, and governance measures, ensuring transparency and accountability.

In episode 12, join Ron as we delve into the fascinating world of protein engineering and bioinformatics with special guest Daryl Barth, a doctoral candidate at The University of Texas at Austin. Daryl's groundbreaking research in protein engineering is revolutionizing waste plastic management using cutting-edge AI technologies.Discover how Daryl's journey from materials science to biology led her to tackle the global pollution crisis head-on. Learn about the essential role of proteins in living organisms and why protein folding is a crucial puzzle in scientific research.Explore the integration of advanced AI tools like AlphaFold and Evolutionary Scale Modeling in Daryl's workflow, and uncover the transformative impact these innovations have on traditional approaches in protein engineering.Join us as we discuss the potential impacts of Daryl's research on waste management and recycling industries, and gain insights into the future of enzyme identification and design.

In episode 11, Ron is joined by Michael Wharton, Vice President of Engineering at KUNGFU.AI, to unravel the art and science behind building effective AI teams. They discuss optimal hiring strategies, crucial technical skills, and the distinctive challenges AI teams face compared to traditional software development.Michael, an expert in computer vision with a focus on remote sensing, shares his journey from aerospace engineering to deep learning and reflects on the transformative moments that shaped his career. The conversation unfolds into the unique aspects of AI projects, emphasizing the need for a mindset shift towards embracing probabilistic outcomes. Together they explore the organizational dynamics of AI teams, highlighting the importance of flexibility, diversity, and creative collaboration. Michael sheds light on the pitfalls of organizing around disciplines and stresses the value of cross-functional, adaptable teams. As we navigate through the discussion, Michael provides insights into the hiring process at KUNGFU.AI AI, emphasizing the need for a holistic skill set beyond deep learning expertise. The conversation touches on work-life balance, ethical considerations in AI, and the significance of soft skills in a services-oriented industry. Finally, they dive into the challenges faced on AI projects and the strategies employed to overcome setbacks. Michael shares a compelling example where a collaborative team effort led to a breakthrough in solving a complex problem for a client. Don't forget to subscribe for more engaging conversations with industry experts on Hidden Layers! We're also currently hiring so please visit our careers page for more info: https://www.kungfu.ai/careers

Delve into neuroscience and AI with Dr. Sanjeev Namjoshi as they discuss active inference and the free energy principle. Explore the brain's role as a generative model, the efficiency of active inference over deep learning, and the future of AI automation in daily tasks.