Practical AI

Doug Raymond, General Manager of Semantic Scholar at the Allen Institute for AI, dives into the world of AI-powered scientific research. He discusses the transformative role of AI in academia, particularly through tools like Semantic Scholar, which helps researchers navigate the overwhelming volume of literature. The conversation covers innovative features like personalized recommendations driven by language models and the importance of knowledge graphs in enhancing access to relevant studies. Doug also highlights the ongoing challenges and future aspirations for scholarly collaboration.

Dive into the AI Index 2019 Annual Report, revealing how AI is reshaping fields like healthcare and research. Discover technological advancements in transformers and milestones where AI outshines humans. The podcast delves into the growing demand for AI professionals, as students gravitate towards this specialization amid academia's shift to industry roles. Ethical considerations in AI also take center stage, discussing fairness and resource accessibility, reflecting the importance of responsible AI development in our society.

Tania Allard, a Developer Advocate at Microsoft and Google Machine Learning GDE, dives into the complexities of testing machine learning systems. She reveals a simple scoring formula to monitor system robustness while highlighting the continuous nature of model and infrastructure updates. The conversation touches on the collaboration needed between data scientists and engineers, the challenges of bias detection, and effective use of Jupyter Notebooks. Tania emphasizes the critical role of both manual and automated testing in ensuring quality over time.

In this engaging discussion, Costas Boulis, Chief Scientist at Bright Machines, delves into the world of AI-driven automation in manufacturing. He shares insights on how AI enhances production efficiency and the unique challenges posed by manufacturing data. Costas introduces the concept of microfactories and highlights the importance of advanced robotics and digital twins. He also discusses the potential impacts on workforce dynamics, emphasizing a shift towards more creative roles as automation evolves.

Greg Allen, Chief of Strategy and Communications at the U.S. Department of Defense's Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, shares insights into the military's approach to AI. He discusses the transformative potential of AI in national security and outlines key strategies and project areas. The conversation also delves into ethical implications, guiding principles for military operations, and the importance of collaboration with industry. Allen highlights the competitive landscape of AI technology amid global threats.

2019 was a landmark year for AI, featuring major breakthroughs like BERT and GPT-2, which revolutionized natural language processing. The hosts dive into amazing feats, such as a robotic hand solving a Rubik's Cube with finesse. They also tackle the ethical dilemmas posed by advancements like deepfakes and emphasize the need for responsible AI practices. As they look towards 2020, discussions about the integration of diverse perspectives and the societal impacts of AI innovations take center stage, promising an exciting future.

Andrew Stanton, the product manager of search ranking at Etsy, shares his 15 years of experience in machine learning and search technology. He delves into how AI is transforming search in e-commerce, discussing the challenges of tailoring search for various handmade and vintage items. Andrew introduces neuroevolution, a method aimed at enhancing search algorithms, and emphasizes the benefits of using Rust programming for ML systems. He also shares insights on future trends in AI and its impact on search technology.

Evan Sparks, Co-founder and CEO of Determined AI, sheds light on the prevalent issues in AI infrastructure. He highlights why many are still in the 'dark ages' and discusses innovative solutions like fault-tolerant training and AutoML. Evan shares his journey from finance to AI, emphasizing the transition challenges. He also addresses the fragmentation in AI workflows and the need for cohesive systems that improve productivity and reproducibility. With an optimistic view, he explores the positive impacts of AI on the economy and environmental health.

Ines Montani and Matthew Honnibal, core developers of the powerful NLP library spaCy and co-founders of Explosion AI, dive into the fascinating world of natural language processing. They share SpaCy's journey, highlighting its adoption and unique features. The duo discusses the critical role of data annotation and efficient tooling in machine learning, while demystifying complex NLP models using a four-step understanding framework. They also touch on practical workflows, ethical considerations, and the vibrant community surrounding NLP.

Jakub Langr and Vladimir Bok, authors of "GANs in Action" and experts on Generative Adversarial Networks, dive into the transformative world of GANs. They unpack the basics and unique training processes that set GANs apart from traditional neural networks. The discussion highlights their revolutionary applications in creating photorealistic imagery and explores innovative types like CycleGAN and StyleGAN. Additionally, they address the ethical implications of GAN technology, including the risks of deepfakes, while discussing practical entry points for newcomers.