Today, we delve into the intriguing world of vector databases, retrieval augmented generation, and a surprising twist—origami. Our special guest, Arjun Patel, a developer advocate at Pinecone, will be walking us through his mission to make vector databases and semantic search more accessible. Alongside his impressive technical expertise, Arjun is also a self-taught origami artist with a background in statistics from the University of Chicago. Together with co-host Frank La Vigne, we explore Arju...
Jan 21, 2025•52 min•Season 8Ep. 17
In today's episode, we're thrilled to have Niv Braun, co-founder and CEO of Noma Security, join us as we tackle some pressing issues in AI security. With the rapid adoption of generative AI technologies, the landscape of data security is evolving at breakneck speed. We'll explore the increasing need to secure systems that handle sensitive AI data and pipelines, the rise of AI security careers, and the looming threats of adversarial attacks, model "hallucinations," and more. Niv will share his in...
Jan 14, 2025•53 min•Season 8Ep. 16
In this livestream, Frank and Andy discuss the timeless nature of backend enterprise tech, that, much like a Christmas special from decades ago, is still very much celebrated. Moments 00:00 Exploring SSIS future in a festive episode. 08:28 Data engineering evolved from business intelligence systems. 10:57 Social networks project before Facebook's popularity. 19:19 SSIS training informed data engineering concepts teaching. 24:56 Bill Gates moved project to immature Microsoft tooling. 29:10 Data e...
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 35 min•Season 8Ep. 15
Welcome to another episode of "Data Driven," where we dive into the ever-evolving world of data science, AI, and data engineering. Today's special guest is Inna Tokarev Sela, CEO and founder of Illumix. Join hosts Frank La Vigne, BAILeY, and Andy Leonard as they unpack Inna's groundbreaking insights into generative AI, the future of data management, and the intricacies of AI cost effectiveness. Inna reveals the origin of her company's name, "Illumix," and discusses the pressing risks of 2025, pa...
Dec 18, 2024•58 min•Season 8Ep. 14
Joining hosts Frank La Vigne and Andy Leonard, Geoff shares insights on the intersection of AI and creativity, the evolving landscape of careers in the age of artificial intelligence, and the crucial balance between innovation and traditional storytelling. We'll delve into AI's role in enhancing emotional connections with audiences, its potential to disrupt traditional media and consultancy services, and the caution needed to maintain authenticity and human touch amidst technological advances. F...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 8Ep. 13
Frank La Vigne sits down with Alex Gold, Head of Solutions Engineering at POSIT and author of "DevOps for Data Science." Together, they explore the fascinating intersections of DevOps, MLOps, and generative AI, shedding light on the importance of social norms, innovation, and practical impact in open-source development. Show NotesLinks DevOps for Data Science (Online Version) https://do4ds.com DevOps for Data Science ( Amazon ) Moments 02:14 Marylander love their state flag 06:09 PBC prioritizes...
Nov 25, 2024•59 min•Season 8Ep. 12
Today, Frank and Andy are joined by David Hirschfeld, CEO and founder of Tekyz Corporation, a firm specializing in helping startups and saving troubled projects with his unique "Launch First" methodology. David brings us into his world of startups, where, believe it or not, he advocates for getting customers before you even build the product! He explains how Launch First combines high-fidelity prototypes, niche targeting, and a lean, marketing-first approach to de-risk software launches and prov...
Nov 18, 2024•53 min•Season 8Ep. 11
Today, we have a special treat for you as we welcome Candice Gillhooley, a dynamic force known for blending technical prowess with marketing brilliance. In this episode, we'll explore Candice's groundbreaking approach to "sentient marketing," dive into the interplay between AI and targeted audience communication, and discuss the importance of understanding behavioral data to craft unforgettable marketing experiences. So, sit back, relax, and get ready for an episode that's sure to spark new idea...
Nov 11, 2024•56 min•Season 8Ep. 10
Andy Leonard and Frank La Vigne are joined by experts Baruch Lev and Feng Gu to uncover the complexities and pitfalls of mergers and acquisitions. We'll discuss the controversial "killer acquisitions" in the pharmaceutical industry, which regulators fear stifle innovation and harm public health. Our guests will share insights from their upcoming book, "The M&A Failure Trap," which critiques current acquisition strategies and introduces a unique 10-factor scorecard for assessing potential suc...
Oct 29, 2024•56 min•Season 8Ep. 9
Andy Leonard, and Frank La Vigne are joined by the innovative Artem Rodichof, CEO of Xhuman. Today's discussion delves into the transformative world of empathetic AI and its potential to reshape our interactions with technology and each other. Artem shares insights from his groundbreaking platform, which creates custom AI personalities that can turn various media forms into interactive, human-like experiences. We'll explore the intersection of gaming and AI, discuss the ethical implications of d...
Oct 21, 2024•57 min•Season 8Ep. 8
In this episode, Doug shares his preference for composition over inheritance in object-oriented programming and his strategic use of design patterns in Visual Basic consulting. He challenges commonly held beliefs about language performance and productivity, arguing that faster languages do not always yield faster results. The conversation also explores the offline benefits of large and small language models (LLMs and SLMs) and highlights Doug's innovative use of PowerShell to create autonomous a...
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 8Ep. 7
In this episode, we delve into Frank’s new role at Red Hat, where he’s pioneering advancements with Rel AI, an innovative tool for training large language models. Andy shares his latest adventures in Microsoft Fabric training, reflecting on the rapid pace of tech evolution. Along with tech talk, they touch on personal milestones, such as parenting and life’s significant changes. So, grab your favorite drink, sit back, and join us for an insightful conversation filled with tech trends, personal s...
Aug 28, 2024•22 min•Season 8Ep. 6
Today, we're shifting gears as Frank La Vigne returns from his adventures in the Smoky Mountains. From paternity leave to tackling poor internet connectivity, Frank sheds light on the precarious nature of our reliance on cloud services. Join us as we explore the challenges of staying connected in remote areas, ponder the implications for the future of AI, and reflect on the importance of data resilience. Buckle up for an episode that's as much about life's unexpected detours as it is about the d...
Aug 21, 2024•27 min•Season 8Ep. 4
In this episode, we explore real-world cases that showcase the susceptibility of AI chatbots to manipulation, as illustrated by a shocking incident where an AI was manipulated to sell a Chevy truck for just $1. Kevin Latchford sheds light on the dual-use knowledge risks and the potential for unauthorized leaks and malicious backdoors within AI plugins. Frank and Kevin dive into the implications of quick technological adoption, drawing parallels to the early web era. We discuss the impact of netw...
Jul 24, 2024•39 min•Season 8Ep. 4
In this episode, we explore linguistic and cultural influences on language with Dr. Yossi Keshet—a renowned expert in automated speech recognition. We cover the intricacies of jargon, code-switching, and the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence. Listen to discover how the convergence of linguistics and computer science is revolutionizing our interaction with technology. Show Notes 05:26 YOLA targets foundational industries through AI. 07:34 Automatic speech recognition similar to KJGPT ...
Jul 01, 2024•55 min•Season 8Ep. 3
In this exciting episode, Frank La Vigne and Andy Leonard sit down with Aviad Harell, managing partner at Team 8, to explore the transformative power of technology in today's business landscape. Aviad shares his mission to eliminate day-to-day bureaucracy and leverages technology to automate processes, drawing from his vast experience in the tech industry. Beyond business, Aviad reveals his passion for traveling in South America and his book recommendation, "The Mom Test," which acts as a guide ...
Jun 20, 2024•52 min•Season 8Ep. 2
In this episode, Frank La Vigne and Andy Leonard dive deep into the world of developer advocacy and data observability with special guest Chris Cooney from CoreLogix. From discussing the evolution of Microsoft Evangelism to the intricacies of data retention and real-time decision-making, this conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the impact of AI technology, the importance of community in software engineering, and the challenges of connecting with engineers at trade shows. Join u...
May 28, 2024•53 min•Season 8Ep. 1
In today’s episode of the Data Driven podcast, we delve into the intricate dance of the human brain with uncertainty, guided by the insightful and optimistic Dr. Julia DiGangi. Dr. DiGangi’s work transcends traditional academic boundaries, focusing on the neuropsychological underpinnings that shape our responses to the ever-shifting sands of our times. With a blend of deep scientific knowledge and a hopeful outlook, she sheds light on how understanding our brain's mechanics can enhance our navig...
Apr 24, 2024•57 min•Season 7Ep. 33
In this landmark 360th episode of Data Driven, we take a full-circle journey back through the past seven seasons, exploring the highs, lows, and everything in-between. Frank and Andy, in their signature style, veer off the beaten path, offering listeners not just a trip down memory lane, but an off-road adventure filled with insights, laughter, and a few unexpected detours. Join us as we reflect on where we’ve been and, more importantly, where we’re headed next in the ever-evolving landscape of ...
Apr 08, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 7Ep. 32
In this episode Frank and Andy welcome Jennifer Swanson explains how businesses can reinvent themselves for the data driven age of AI. From recognizing the importance of defining clear strategies and outcomes to the struggles of change management, Jennifer reveals that the heart of digital transformation lies in aligning individuals to the company's objectives, and significantly, that it's less about the technology itself and more about the people and processes. Whether you're a leader in your o...
Mar 06, 2024•56 min•Season 7Ep. 31
In this episode, Danny Maloney is going to lead you on a journey to explore how artificial intelligence is not just a fleeting novelty but a tool of immense utility that's changing the playing field for individuals and small businesses alike. Danny brings his passion for algorithmic innovation from his experiences as a data-loving youth to his leadership role at Tailwind, where they leverage AI to level the marketing playing field for small businesses. Show Notes 06:16 Early days of prevalent AI...
Feb 29, 2024•50 min•Season 7Ep. 30
Welcome to show 357 of the Data Driven podcast! This week, we welcome Luke Diaz to the show. Luke has an impressive track record of scaling startups to staggering annual recurring revenues, and today, he's here to shed light on the pivotal role of customer success in growing a business. We'll dive deep into the intricacies of customer success management, its impact on subscription models, and the measurements that underpin it. Luke also shares personal insights into his daily habit tracking and ...
Feb 27, 2024•52 min•Season 7Ep. 29
Today, we're thrilled to welcome a special guest, Jeremy Utley, an academic marvel from Stanford, whose work on AI and idea flows is altering the landscape of business and innovation. In this episode, titled “Jeremy Utley on Getting the Most out of LLMs”, we dive into Jeremy's FIXIT approach for leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT. Jeremy will unpack the nuances of FIXIT, showing us the importance of providing context, iterative interaction, and team incubation while using AI...
Feb 19, 2024•56 min•Season 7Ep. 28
In this episode, we delve into the profound enablement of large language models like ChatCPT and how they stand to revolutionize personalized learning. Rene gives us a glimpse of a future where robots and AI can liberate us from mundane chores and reshape the workforce, as seen with robots now flipping burgers at McDonald's. Imagine the world of quantum computing, where current strategies are reimagined to solve gargantuan optimization problems, a realm of technological advancement that Rene is ...
Feb 13, 2024•59 min•Season 7Ep. 27
In this episode, our Andy Leonard and Frank La Vigne sit down with Ronen Dar, the co-founder and CTO of Run AI, to explore the world of artificial intelligence and GPU orchestration for machine learning models. Ronen shares insights into the challenges of utilizing GPUs in AI research and how Run AI's platform addresses these issues by optimizing GPU usage and providing tools for easier and faster model training and deployment. The conversation delves into the concept of fractional GPU usage, al...
Feb 05, 2024•45 min•Season 7Ep. 26
In this episode, Frank sits down and talks with Devvret Rishi on powering real-world AI projects with declarative ML and the importance of open source. Andy was not able to attend this recording, but will be back next week! Show Notes 04:36 Build, train, serve, deploy; critical data engineering link. 07:24 Model configuration for input output prediction summaries. 11:05 Saw spike and heavy churn after rollout. 16:21 Advancements in AI: use pre-trained deep learning models. 19:38 Trends for Gen A...
Feb 01, 2024•53 min•Season 7Ep. 25
In this episode, the Frank and Andy are joined by special guest Blake Reichenbach, a product manager at HubSpot and the owner of Howdy Curiosity, an online nonfiction bookstore and learning community. The conversation dives into the intersection of data, AI, and the love of books, as they discuss the next steps in managing and mitigating the hallucination part of AI technology, the importance of human interaction with AI tools, and finding the right balance in user experience. Blake shares his i...
Jan 16, 2024•36 min•Season 7Ep. 24
In today's episode, the hosts Frank La Vigne and Andy Leonard are joined by the expert in location data and machine learning, Max Sklar. Max shares insights from his decade-long tenure at Foursquare, delving into the company's evolution, gamification features, the challenges faced in the local search space, and his early interest in location data. The conversation explores the enduring relevance of foundational tech concepts, the cyclical nature of technology trends, and Max's personal journey i...
Jan 03, 2024•48 min•Season 7Ep. 23
In this episode of Data Driven, our Andy Leonard and Frank La Vigne are joined by Chris McDermott, VP of Engineering at Wallaroo.AI. Together, they explore the challenges and advancements in the ever-evolving world of machine learning and artificial intelligence. From the importance of ongoing care for machine learning models to the rise of edge computing and decentralized networks, they touch on the critical need for flexibility and data privacy. Chris shares his insights on the technical chall...
Dec 04, 2023•49 min•Season 7Ep. 22
In this episode, Andy and Frank sit down with Pavel Goldman-Kalaydin, head of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at Sumsub, a global company specializing in KYC, AML, and anti-fraud technologies. They explore the challenges in verifying identities remotely, the rise of deep fakes for fraud, and the use of AI and machine learning to combat these threats. From discussing the impact of technology on security measures to Pavel's journey in the field of computer science and AI, this episode...
Nov 29, 2023•42 min•Season 7Ep. 21
