Practical AI

Discover how NVIDIA's Ampere architecture is revolutionizing high-performance computing for AI. The hosts dive into the impressive capabilities of the A100 Tensor Core GPU, revealing enhancements in processing speed and precision. They discuss the dual nature of GPUs transitioning from gaming to AI, and explore the innovative designs of NVLink and NVSwitch. The podcast also humorously touches on challenges in software evolution and the promising future of AI training at the edge using devices like the Jetson Xavier NX.

Chandler McCann, General Manager of DataRobot for Federal and former data scientist, shares insights on tackling clean water access in Africa. He discusses a project with the Global Water Challenge, analyzing over 500,000 data points to predict water point failures. This data-driven approach empowers African governments to enhance budgeting and maintenance for safe water access. Chandler emphasizes the role of AI for Good initiatives in fostering social impact and improving decision-making through collaboration with nonprofits.

Listeners dive into intriguing AI queries, from the next big innovations to how CNNs work. The hosts tackle practical AI tools and their daily usage, while shedding light on starting an AI business. They explore evolving AI conferences and the transformation of meetups during COVID-19. Ethical concerns around AI's dual nature are discussed, alongside the technicalities of deploying AI models. Expect insights on cloud training, resources for learning, and a call for community engagement in the AI landscape.

Anna Goldie, a Google Research expert specializing in natural language processing, and Azalia Mirhoseini, a senior research scientist at Google Brain focusing on hardware-software co-design, dive into the groundbreaking use of reinforcement learning for chip design. They discuss optimizing component placement through advanced techniques, including graph convolutional neural networks. The conversation uncovers the synergy between deep learning and system optimization, and hints at the future implications of AI in revolutionizing the chip design landscape.

Lucy Lu Wang, a research scientist at the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence, discusses the COVID-19 Open Research Dataset (CORD-19) created to combat the pandemic. She explains its significance in enhancing biomedical research and facilitating collaboration across the globe. The conversation delves into the integration of AI with the medical field, emphasizing the vital role of machine learning in addressing clinical challenges. Lucy also highlights how this crisis has spurred unprecedented cooperation between AI and medical domains, paving the way for future innovations.

Stuart Russell, a leading AI researcher and professor at UC Berkeley, shares his vision for creating safer, human-compatible AI. He critiques the limitations of deep learning, focusing on its lack of reasoning and contextual understanding. Russell proposes innovative models that better align with ethical considerations, emphasizing the need for collaboration between humans and machines. He also discusses the necessity of robust regulation to prevent harmful consequences, drawing parallels to the pharmaceutical industry.

Timo Möeller, co-founder of Deepset AI, and Tony Reina, chief AI architect for health at Intel, discuss their innovative COVID-QA system designed to answer pandemic-related questions. They delve into the integration of the CORD-19 dataset, emphasizing the importance of expert input and community involvement. The duo highlights the challenges of misinformation and the need for accurate data to support public health, all while showcasing AI's potential to enhance accessibility and collaboration during these critical times.

Daniel Wilson, AI lead for professional services at Esri, and Rob Fletcher, a senior data scientist at Esri, discuss the exciting intersection of AI and GIS. They cover how AI enhances geospatial analysis, transforming satellite imagery into actionable insights for disaster response. Their work with the DoD's Joint AI Center highlights the use of AI for humanitarian assistance. The duo also explores the challenges of data labeling and the potential of multimodal datasets to revolutionize predictions in urban planning and disaster management.

Dive into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence as the hosts explore the accessibility of AI for everyone. Discover the latest tools in natural language processing, including the innovative Spacey. The discussion also highlights the importance of prioritizing under-resourced languages in translation efforts, opening up new horizons in global communication. Whether you're an AI enthusiast or just curious, there's something here to spark your interest.

Catherine Breslin, a solutions architect at Cobalt and former Alexa team member at Amazon, dives into the world of speech recognition. She sheds light on how the technology powers virtual assistants and facilitates transcription. The discussion covers building essential components like lexicons and acoustic models. Breslin also examines challenges like accommodating accents and the future of speech recognition, particularly in enhancing accessibility and multilingual support. Tune in to explore the fascinating evolution of conversational AI!