Exploring Dark Data and AI's Influence: A Deep Dive with Data Science Expert Walter Shields

The Future in Tech-Powered by LinkedIn Learning

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July 10, 2023

In this episode, I talked to Walter Shields, an influential data science expert and passionate teacher. Walter shares his journey in the field, the rising role of Artificial Intelligence, the concept of 'Dark Data', and the evolving landscape of technology in media. His unique insights provide listeners with an enriching perspective on the current state and future direction of data, AI, and media.

Walter Shield's Journey and Teaching Passion

Walter delved into his personal background (00:59) and the series of events that led him to immerse himself in the world of data and databases. As he found his feet in this new field, he discovered a strong passion for teaching and sharing his newly acquired knowledge, which manifested in a Meetup group (02:38). The surprising success of his Meetup group drew a large audience, affirming his belief in the widespread interest in data learning (07:29).

"Those meetups, I got to tell you, they opened my eyes and it's a critical component to really get out in that space and meet others"

He expressed his deep-seated desire to make learning about data accessible and interesting. Walter placed a strong emphasis on the qualities of a good teacher, particularly the ability to approach topics from various perspectives (14:49). As he shared his journey, he shed light on his fascination with SQL and its limitless possibilities (16:27).

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Next Episode

Explore the transformative impact of AI and data in advertising and media as we talk with Danny Ma, Principal AI Engineer at Lumos, who shares his expertise in data science and its applications in the industry.

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AI's Impact and Data Science Evolution

Walter explored the profound effect of AI on the data realm starting at 17:15. He discussed the industry's evolution from traditional data analytics to more advanced data science techniques, highlighting the importance of domain expertise (20:30).

"Data science allowed us to now stop looking backward and start looking forward"

Addressing the surge in data volume and its related challenges (21:41), Walter turned to the transformative potential of AI in hiring processes (23:25). He contemplated AI's capacity to eliminate biases, thereby fostering diversity in the workplace (24:58).

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The Intersection of Technology, Media, and Education

The dialogue moved to the interplay of technology and media at 29:39. We reflected on how technology has revolutionized news and radio, touching on the democratization of media and the role of younger generations (31:57).

" It's not what the invention is, it's what it's being used for. Who is actually using it and for what? "

He pointed out that technology's impact goes beyond media consumption, creating opportunities for innovative content creation and distribution (