István Mészáros On Going From CERN To Startup & The Cat That Launched A Thousand Queries Data Driven podcast

57:45

Welcome to the season nine premiere of Data Driven, where we kick things off with a thought-provoking deep dive into the world of AI-powered leadership. In this episode, hosts Frank La Vigne, Andy Leonard, and BAILeY are joined by Geoff Woods, bestselling author of "The AI Driven Leader." Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is quickly evolving from a tactical tool that writes emails and automates tasks to a transformative thought partner that can help leaders navigate high-stakes business decisions, develop innovative strategies, and even challenge their own thinking. Geoff challenges the notion that AI is just another tech buzzword and shares real-world stories of executives using AI as a strategic confidant—literally building virtual AI boards featuring iconic figures like Steve Jobs and Warren Buffett. He breaks down his practical CRIT framework (Context, Role, Interview, Task), offering listeners actionable ways to move beyond surface-level AI use and harness its power for exponential personal and business growth. Whether you’re a seasoned data scientist, a curious executive, or just someone looking to level up your leadership skills, this conversation will inspire you to reconsider how you work with AI—and how much more you can achieve when you use it as your smartest collaborator yet. Get ready to have your assumptions challenged, your creativity sparked, and your sticky notes filled with new ideas. Let’s get data driven! Timestamps 00:00 "AI: Your Strategic Cofounder" 05:26 Strategic Leadership with AI 07:35 "Focusing on 20% High-Impact Tasks" 11:07 AI Strategies for Debt Restructuring 13:28 AI in Negotiations: Role Play Insights 19:01 Mentor in Your Pocket 21:52 "Imaginary Advisory Board" 25:17 "Starting AI: First Domino Approach" 28:33 Coaching Corporate Growth Strategy 31:51 Interactive Knowledge Experience 35:06 "Becoming an AI-Driven Leader" 38:54 "Visionary Super Connector" 43:06 Leadership Beyond Technology 47:11 Rethinking AI and Strategic Questions 49:26 "AI-Powered Strategic Visioning" 53:29 "Choosing Growth Over Perfection" 56:24 AI Achievements: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome…

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Special Announcement From 386 Computers to AI Leadership: Our Season Nine Kickoff 0:30

2 days ago0:30

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Andy and I are kicking off Season Nine of Data Driven with a bang: an insightful interview with Jeff Woods, author of “The AI Driven Leader.” Andy, Bailey, and I are thrilled to bring you brand-new conversations, deep dives, and data stories all season long. Stay tuned for the official release, and as always, thank you for being part of our data-driven journey. Listen for the Season Nine kickoff soon!…

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Jacob Leverich on Efficiency, Elegance, and the Joy of Not Grepping log files at 2AM 58:10

4 weeks ago58:10

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This week, Frank sat down with Dr. Jacob Leverich—Stanford PhD, cofounder of Observe, and a veteran of the Google MapReduce team and Splunk. Jacob’s journey, from tinkering with video game code as a kid, to innovating at the cutting edge of distributed systems and energy efficiency, is as inspiring as it is informative. Key Takeaways Early Tech Roots: Hear how curiosity with QBasic and classic PCs (think IBM PCXT and Commodore) put Jacob on a path to high-impact data engineering. MapReduce, Dremel, & the Rise of Big Data: Jacob pulls back the curtain on working with some of the most influential data processing tools at Google and how these systems shifted the entire data landscape (hello, BigQuery!). Building Efficient Systems: It’s not just about scale—energy efficiency and performance optimization are the unsung heroes of today’s data infrastructure. Jacob explains why making things “just work” isn’t enough anymore. The Realities of Ops & Observability: Remember the days of grepping logs at 2AM? There’s a better way. Jacob shares how platforms like Observe help teams consolidate, visualize, and act on operational data—turning chaos into actionable insight. Bridging Data & Ops: The lines between data observability and traditional ops are blurring, and Jacob’s unique experience shows how best practices from data warehousing are finally making ops smoother (and less sleepless). Power Concerns & the Future: As data grows, so does energy consumption in data centers. Find out why optimization isn’t just good for performance—it’s key to sustainability. Timestamps 00:00 Interview with Jacob Levrich 05:59 Journey into Game Programming 06:43 "Pursuing Fast Video Game Code" 10:23 Data Processing and Power Efficiency 16:11 Snowflake's Transformative Database Approach 19:18 Journey to Data Management Industry 21:37 Data Products: Solving Core Challenges 27:07 Early Web Log Analysis Techniques 28:57 Consolidating Data for Efficiency 33:23 Specialized Tools and Context Switching 35:43 Unique Dual-Expertise in Tech 38:58 User-Centric Business Strategies 42:13 IP Data Analysis in Cloud 47:23 Electricity Transport Upsets Local Farms 48:25 Shift to Parallel Computing 52:10 Hardware Specialization & Software Optimization 57:32 "Stay Data Driven"…

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István Mészáros on going From CERN to Startup & The Cat That Launched a Thousand Queries 58:18

6 weeks ago58:18

58:18

Welcome to another insightful episode of Data Driven! Today, we're diving into the world of warehouse-native analytics with our special guest, István Mészáros, cofounder of Mitsu. Join us as we explore how Mitsu empowers startups and enterprises with a new approach to data analytics. From his beginnings as a CERN physicist to becoming an open-source evangelist and finally a startup founder, István shares his unique journey through the data industry. We'll discuss the motivation behind Mitsu's distinct branding, reminiscent of Hello Kitty, and why standing out in today's crowded market is crucial. István also reveals the challenges and strategies of building a data company in Europe, and how Mitsu simplifies analytics by offering a self-service solution without the high costs associated with existing market leaders. Timestamps 0:00 Introducing István Mészáros 05:30 Shifting Open Source to SaaS 07:46 Lava-Themed Compliance Solutions Brand 10:27 Tech Branding and Hello Kitty Insights 13:46 Optimizing Conversion in Data-Heavy Travel 16:31 Self-Service Analytics Tool Needed 19:17 Automated Product Analytics Tool 23:20 "Budget Constraints and DIY Solutions" 28:17 Freelancer's Efficient Data Solutions 29:08 Open Source Tool Productization Plan 33:13 Navigating Freelance and Startup Challenges 37:19 Transitioning to Data Engineering 42:25 Instant Feedback in Hobbies 43:46 Embracing Feedback in Business Transformation 49:13 "Hoping AI Takes Over Hiring" 51:58 Visit Site for Info & Contact 55:22 "Parenting Boys with Earbuds" 57:25 "Data Driven: Quantum Podcast Relaunch"…

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Barr Moses on How Data Observability Can Save Your Company Millions 54:15

7 weeks ago54:15

54:15

On this episode of Data Driven, we welcome Barr Moses, CEO and co-founder of Monte Carlo, as she delves into the fascinating world of data observability. Join hosts Frank La Vigne and Andy Leonard as they explore how reliable data is crucial for making sound business decisions in today's tech-driven world. Learn why a simple schema change at Unity resulted in a $100 million loss and how Monte Carlo is developing cutting-edge solutions to prevent similar disasters. From discussions on ensuring data integrity to the intriguing potential of AI in anomaly detection, Barr Moses shares insights that might just redefine your understanding of data's role in business. Tune in for a podcast that not only uncovers the nuances of data reliability but also touches on the quirky side of tech, like why, according to Google, you should never use superglue to fix slipping cheese on your pizza. Moments 00:00 Monte Carlo: Data Reliability Innovator 05:45 "Data & AI Observability Engineering" 09:42 Data Industry's Growing Importance 12:00 Cereal Supply Chain Data Optimization 16:03 Data Observability and Lineage 19:29 GenAI Uncertainties and Latency Concerns 23:17 "Human Oversight in AI Accuracy" 24:12 Data Observability and Human Role 28:01 Adapting to Customer Language 33:29 Data and Security Management Alignment 35:20 Data Reliability and Observability Challenges 38:17 Automated Code Analysis Tool Launch 42:29 Data-Inspired Childhood 44:12 Passionate About Impactful Work 48:52 LinkedIn Security Concerns Highlighted 53:19 "Data Observability Insights"…

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Sanjay Annadate on Data Driven Digital Transformation 45:07

11 weeks ago45:07

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In this episode, Sanjay joins Frank for a deep dive into the heart of digital transformation and AI-powered automation. Here are some of the key takeaways: Digital Transformation Evolution : Sanjay reflects on his nearly three-decade journey witnessing the digital shift from infancy to the AI-driven present. He outlines the critical components of digital transformation, including cloud adoption and data prioritization, noting significant changes in business focus over recent years. Microsoft's Role : Sanjay provides insights into Microsoft's strategic investments in digital transformation technologies, emphasizing their pivotal role in influencing market trends and industry-specific capabilities. AI-Powered Enhancements : From the widespread adoption of Copilot to the burgeoning concept of agentic AI, Sanjay discusses how AI tools are not replacing but augmenting the productivity of data engineers, offering a glimpse into the future of business processes. Edge of Innovation : We explore how Microsoft Fabric and other technologies are simplifying complex architectures, allowing businesses to leverage multi-cloud strategies effectively, keeping them at the forefront of innovation. Real-Life Impact : Sanjay shares compelling examples, like reducing sales briefing preparation time from four days to two minutes, showcasing the transformative power of AI in real business scenarios. Whether you're a data engineer, business leader, or just someone fascinated by the data-driven world, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Moments 00:00 Three Decades of Digital Transformation 05:27 Microsoft's Digital Transformation Dominance 09:37 Microsoft's Cloud Integration Advantage 13:22 Red Hat AI's Open Source Approach 15:33 Microsoft Fabric's Multi-Cloud Integration Strategy 20:01 "Custom Solutions for Complex Queries" 21:39 Content Creation Efficiency Unlocked 26:38 Sales Role Dependency Reduction Tool 30:06 Agentic AI and Workflow Transformation 33:29 "Beyond Basic Automation" 35:05 AI's Impact on Business Expansion 39:58 Data-Driven Problem Solving Impact 41:58 Reading Trends in Data Innovation…

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Trevor Schulze on How CIO’s Can Drive AI Strategy 54:17

12 weeks ago54:17

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In this episode, Andy Leonard and Frank La Vigne are thrilled to be joined by Trevor Schulze, the Chief Information Officer at Alteryx. Trevor brings an unparalleled perspective on digital transformation, drawing from his impressive tenure at industry giants such as Micron, Cisco, and RingCentral. Time stamps 00:00 "Data Driven: AI & CIO Insights" 04:32 CIO's Role in AI Evolution 06:50 CIO's Evolving Role with AI 11:43 "Embracing Data Democratization" 16:24 Democratizing Data Access 19:33 "AI Investment and Optimization Cycle" 20:55 AI Enhances Tool Configuration Guidance 24:42 Breaking Free from Vendor Lock-In 27:41 "Unleashing Shadow AI and Technical Debt" 31:53 Digital Performance Essential for All Industries 34:01 Data Privacy Concerns in AI Use 37:30 AI Democratization Challenges for Enterprises 42:15 AI Transforming Business Processes 43:55 Data-Driven Career Journey 47:13 "Building Trust in Data Analytics" 52:34 Building Trust in Future Tech…

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Lillian Pierson on Revolutionizing Growth Marketing with AI 59:31

15 weeks ago59:31

59:31

Andy Leonard and Frank La Vigne delve into the exciting world of AI and growth marketing with the renowned Lillian Pierson. Lillian, a globally recognized AI growth strategist and author. She shares her unique journey from engineering to data science and her role as a fractional CMO. She provides deep insights into leveraging AI to revolutionize marketing and growth strategies, discusses breaking down the barriers in early data science, and explores the rise of agentic AI. This conversation is filled with valuable knowledge, humor, and a reality check on the evolving tech landscape. Tune in to explore how AI and data-driven approaches are transforming industries and why Data Driven is a top pick for AI enthusiasts. Moments 00:00 "Interview with AI Expert Lillian Pearson" 04:18 Earning a Professional Engineering License 09:21 Evolution of Data Science Disciplines 11:08 Career Pivot to Success 14:01 Data Strategy and AI Insights 19:19 Marketing's Role in Product Growth 21:58 Customer Advocacy in Product Development 26:16 Exploring AI for Content Automation 28:28 OpenAI Trained on My Style 30:51 Frank's Podcast Automation Expansion 33:22 "Delegation vs. Self-Management Discussion" 37:45 Decoupled, Resilient System Communication 41:57 Clay-Powered Decision Tech Critique 45:41 AI Is Essential in Business 49:09 Debating with ChatGPT's Perspectives 50:23 Google AI: Generative Podcast Tool 56:11 Big Data Fallacies Explored…

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Dean Guida on AI Insights, Data Analytics, and Business Growth 1:01:54

16 weeks ago1:01:54

1:01:54

Today, we've got an exciting episode lined up for you. Hosts Frank La Vigne and Bailey dive deep into the tech universe with Dean Guida, the CEO and founder of Infragistics. Dean brings his 35-year journey and expansive experience in technology to the table, reminiscing about the early days of software development and his transition into the data-driven world. In this conversation, you'll hear about the evolution of Infragistics from building UI components for Windows to creating sophisticated data analytics and AI tools. Dean also shares insights from his new book, "When Grit is Not Enough," focusing on how entrepreneurs can foster agile, data-driven learning organizations. Whether you're a seasoned developer, a budding entrepreneur, or someone fascinated by the intersection of AI and data, this episode promises a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Join us as we explore technology old and new, from the bygone era of Windows 3.0 to the cutting-edge capabilities of AI today. Plus, hear Dean's personal journey of navigating through various technological and economic shifts over the decades. Make sure to tune in for a discussion that bridges the past, present, and future of tech innovation! Show Notes 00:00 35 Years of UI/UX Innovation 06:35 "Simplicity, Beauty, and Conversational AI" 15:29 Enhancing User Trust Through Transparency 19:52 AI-Driven Learning and OKR Management 26:20 Kids Reflecting Tech Evolution 27:12 "AI in Future Work Environments" 33:14 "Data-Driven Leadership and Team Alignment" 38:44 Entrepreneurship Beyond Grinding 48:19 Contextual Understanding in AI Assistants 51:57 Overprotected Generation's Communication Challenges 54:55 Generational Impact of Pandemics 01:00:47 "Data-Driven Podcast: Ranked 38"…

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Arjun Patel on Vector Databases and the Future of Semantic Search 51:31

17 weeks ago51:31

51:31

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 Arjun’s unique journey from making speech coaching accessible with AI at Speeko to detecting AI-generated content at Appen. In this episode, get ready to unravel the mysteries of natural language processing, understand the impact of the attention mechanism in transformers, and discover how AI can even assist in the art of paper folding. From discussing the nuances of RAG systems to sharing personal insights on learning and technology, we promise a session that’s both enlightening and entertaining. So sit back, relax, and get ready to fold your way into the fascinating layers of AI with Arjun Patel on Data Driven. Show Notes 00:00 Arjun Patel: Bridging AI & Education 04:39 Traditional NLP and Geometric Models 08:40 Co-occurrence and Meaning in Text 13:14 Masked Language Modeling Success 16:50 Understanding Tokenization in AI Models 18:12 "Understanding Large Language Models" 22:43 Instruction-Following vs Few-Shot Learning 26:43 "Rel AI: Open Source Data Tool" 31:14 "Retrieval-Augmented Generation Explained" 33:58 "Pinecone: Efficient Vector Database" 37:31 "AI Found Me: Intern to Innovator" 41:10 "Impact of Code Generation Models" 45:25 Personalized Learning Path Technology 46:57 Mathematical Complexity in Origami Design 50:32 "Data, AI, and Origami Insights"…

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Niv Braun on AI Security Measures and Emerging Threats 53:11

18 weeks ago53:11

53:11

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 insights on how companies like Noma Security are working tirelessly to mitigate these risks without hindering innovation. We'll also dive into real-world incidents, such as compromised open-source models and the infamous PyTorch breach, to illustrate the critical need for improved security measures. From the importance of continuous monitoring to the development of safer formats and the adoption of a zero trust approach, this episode is packed with valuable advice for organizations navigating the complex world of AI security. So, whether you're a data scientist, AI engineer, or simply an enthusiast eager to learn more about the intersection of AI and security, this episode promises to offer a wealth of information and practical tips to help you stay ahead in this rapidly changing field. Tune in and join the conversation as we uncover the state of AI security and what it means for the future of technology. Quotable Moments 00:00 Security spotlight shifts to data and AI. 03:36 Protect against misconfigurations, adversarial attacks, new risks. 09:17 Compromised model with undetectable data leaks. 12:07 Manual parsing needed for valid, malicious code detection. 15:44 Concerns over Agiface models may affect jobs. 20:00 Combines self-developed and third-party AI models. 20:55 Ensure models don't use sensitive or unauthorized data. 25:55 Zero Trust: mindset, philosophy, implementation, security framework. 30:51 LLM attacks will have significantly higher impact. 34:23 Need better security awareness, exposed secrets risk. 35:50 Be organized with visibility and governance. 39:51 Red teaming for AI security and safety. 44:33 Gen AI primarily used by consumers, not businesses. 47:57 Providing model guardrails and runtime protection services. 50:53 Ensure flexible, configurable architecture for varied needs. 52:35 AI, security, innovation discussed by Niamh Braun.…

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Live Tis the Season for SSIS 1:34:39

21 weeks ago1:34:39

1:34:39

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 engineering possible in 2024 using T-SQL. 35:23 Huge cloud companies surpass previous brick-and-mortar giants. 40:10 Old technologies endure; misconceptions about their age. 46:03 Evaluate change benefits: technical ease, business growth. 52:30 Cloud departure interests rise, SSIS assistance sought. 55:47 Big government agency utilizing diverse cloud platforms. 01:00:59 Security is crucial; clients' preferences vary. 01:08:56 Certification issues hinder software updates and compliance. 01:10:02 People stick with older systems for reasons. 01:15:15 Proper GPU driver drastically improved loading time. 01:22:16 Repost increased engagement and communication with author. 01:25:45 Data scientists should learn SQL for simplicity. 01:31:06 Obsolete systems cause issues without quotes.…

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Inna Tokarev Sela on Approaching Data Challenges with Generative AI 58:03

22 weeks ago58:03

58:03

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, particularly the total cost of ownership for managing generative AI. She highlights the inefficiencies of data customization and proposes a shift towards moving AI closer to the data to reduce costs. Through the unique lens of Illumix’s approach, Inna explains how they aim to illuminate organizational data by using a virtual semantic knowledge graph based on industry ontologies and business logic. Timestamps 00:00 Ina Tokarav Sala: CEO of Illumix, AI readiness pioneer. 05:57 ROI and data are crucial for decisions. 08:56 Intermediate stage: copilots, insights, static dashboards persist. 11:12 Illumax targets structured data market, unlike others. 14:29 Bad data skews predictive analytics, causing errors. 19:48 Data modeling efficiency increases with virtual assistants. 22:33 E-commerce evolution: convenient online shopping preferred. 25:27 2025's biggest risk: High generative AI costs. 27:07 Focus on domain knowledge and metadata utilization. 31:44 Predicting patterns is profound, not crazy. 36:09 Industry trends are cyclical, like fashion trends. 37:49 Repatriating data due to AI cost efficiency. 40:47 Data processing everywhere raises security concerns. 45:00 Founder freedom: Experimentation unlike SAP's structure. 49:11 I'm considered controversial for being very visionary. 52:29 Truth's evolution parallels past technological shifts. 54:39 Frank's World: Kids show on recycling, BBC. 57:09 Thank you, Ina Tokarev Saleh, for insights.…

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Geoff Thatcher on How AI is Revolutionizing Storytelling 1:05:22

24 weeks ago1:05:22

1:05:22

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. From amusing anecdotes about AI challenges in creative tasks to profound reflections on storytelling, this episode is a treasure trove for anyone intrigued by how emerging technologies are reshaping the arts and beyond. Stay tuned for inspiring discussions, engaging stories, and actionable insights—right here on "Data Driven". Let's get started! Show Notes Links Geoff's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffthatcher/ Moments 00:00 Jeff Thatcher revolutionizes experiences with AI innovations. 08:56 Storytelling is more important than technology investment. 13:38 Football field experience mimicking recruitment video reveal. 18:45 AI summaries risk losing creative inspiration. 22:21 AI enhances storytelling and client engagement passion. 31:49 Collaboration with LLMs enhances content drafting. 34:53 We integrated AI and illustrator for Christmas card. 43:03 AI empowers creativity, challenges traditional gatekeepers. 44:44 Simplicity aids decision-making; avoid complicating stories. 51:19 Slow drive through town renewed my soul. 56:26 Created AI color library to match teams. 01:01:30 Creativity requires discipline, connections, and stimulus.…

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Alex Gold on DevOps for Data Science and Open Source Practices 59:29

26 weeks ago59:29