

Practical AI
Practical AI LLC
Making artificial intelligence practical, productive & accessible to everyone. Practical AI is a show in which technology professionals, business people, students, enthusiasts, and expert guests engage in lively discussions about Artificial Intelligence and related topics (Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Neural Networks, GANs, MLOps, AIOps, LLMs & more).
The focus is on productive implementations and real-world scenarios that are accessible to everyone. If you want to keep up with the latest advances in AI, while keeping one foot in the real world, then this is the show for you!
The focus is on productive implementations and real-world scenarios that are accessible to everyone. If you want to keep up with the latest advances in AI, while keeping one foot in the real world, then this is the show for you!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 24, 2023 • 40min
GPU dev environments that just work
Nader Khalil, Co-founder and CEO of brev.dev, dives into the hassle of creating reproducible GPU development environments for AI. He shares insights on overcoming challenges in development settings, especially during the pandemic. The conversation covers advantages of cloud-based solutions for cost efficiency and improved user experience. Khalil also discusses the future of AI tools, emphasizing seamless integration and customizable environments to enhance productivity and innovation in GPU deployment.

56 snips
Jan 17, 2023 • 50min
Machine learning at small organizations
Kirsten Lum, Co-founder and CPO of Storytellers AI, shares her insights on the unique challenges small organizations face in implementing machine learning. She highlights that underutilization often stems from mismanagement, not a lack of data. Kirsten discusses the importance of adaptable data scientists and effective project management in driving successful ML practices. Additionally, she emphasizes the shift towards valuing real-world outcomes over mere model accuracy, advocating for a cultural change in data-driven decision-making.

101 snips
Jan 10, 2023 • 45min
ChatGPT goes prime time!
A fascinating exploration of OpenAI’s ChatGPT reveals how this groundbreaking language model is reshaping our world. The hosts discuss its training process using human feedback and its impact on creative industries and storytelling. Personal anecdotes highlight its role in everyday life, emphasizing the synergy between human creativity and AI. As advancements continue, the future promises even more intriguing developments, making AI a crucial player in various sectors from entertainment to nonprofits.

10 snips
Jan 3, 2023 • 37min
NLP research by & for local communities
Just Zwennicker, a data engineer who created a machine translation system for Sranan Tongo, and Bonaventure Dossou, a Ph.D. student focusing on low-resource languages, explore the importance of NLP for local language communities. They discuss the challenges of data scarcity and the need for representation in technology, particularly for African languages. The conversation highlights grassroots initiatives like Masakane, which empowers native speakers to enhance linguistic diversity in NLP systems, ensuring their languages thrive in the digital age.

Dec 13, 2022 • 30min
SOTA machine translation at Unbabel
José Souza and Ricardo Rei from Unbabel dive into the cutting-edge world of machine translation. They discuss the importance of quality estimation and innovations like COMET, which blends human expertise with automated evaluation. The duo highlights advancements in translation assessment methods, moving beyond traditional metrics like BLEU to more accurate systems. They also explore the future of translation technology and the challenges of integrating quality predictions, making it a fascinating listen for anyone interested in AI's impact on language.

Dec 7, 2022 • 34min
AI competitions & cloud resources
Matthew Lanham, Academic Director at Purdue University, and Mark Tabladillo, a Cloud Architect at Microsoft, dive into the exciting world of AI competitions. They discuss how over 170 student teams tackled image captioning in multiple languages, showcasing their innovative strategies. The duo emphasizes the evolving role of cloud resources in data science and the educational impact of these competitions. They also explore the challenges of diverse linguistic datasets and how AI can help preserve cultural heritage while promoting business innovation.

Nov 29, 2022 • 44min
Copilot lawsuits & Galactica "science"
The podcast tackles the lawsuit against GitHub, Microsoft, and OpenAI over Copilot's code suggestions, questioning if it breaches open source licenses. It also dives into concerns about Meta AI's Galactica model, which has produced alarming science-related outputs. The hosts discuss the ethical complexities of AI tools, emphasizing the need for regulation and understanding of copyright issues. They highlight the necessity of accuracy and trust in AI, underscoring how these technologies must evolve responsibly to prevent misinformation.

Nov 16, 2022 • 48min
Protecting us with the Database of Evil
Matar Haller, VP of Data at ActiveFence, leads efforts to combat online harms like disinformation and extremism using AI and expert insights. He shares the importance of adapting technologies for ongoing challenges, especially in online safety for children and effective content moderation. The conversation highlights how robust safety measures can enhance user trust and discusses the intricate balance of using data-driven models to identify harmful content. Matar also touches on the emotional challenges of dealing with distressing material in their mission-driven work.

Nov 8, 2022 • 44min
Hybrid computing with quantum processors
In this engaging discussion, Yonatan Cohen, the CTO of Quantum Machines, dives into the exciting realm of hybrid computing that combines classical and quantum processors. He elaborates on the unique roles of qubits versus classical bits and the transformative potential of cloud-based quantum services. The conversation also addresses how hybrid models can enhance AI, particularly in optimizing neural networks. Yonatan highlights current advancements in quantum hardware and software, as well as their implications for the future of complex computational challenges.

5 snips
Nov 1, 2022 • 37min
The practicalities of releasing models
Dive into the complexities of AI licensing and ethics, with insights on Creative Commons and Responsible AI Licenses. Explore innovations in voice synthesis technology, revealing how customized voices can change media production. Discover the impact of synthesized voices on marginalized communities and the ethical dilemmas they present. Finally, learn about graph neural networks and their advanced applications, showcasing their advantages in data analysis and real-world scenarios. This blend of tech, ethics, and creativity drives the conversation forward!