Maz Shar

Recently I met up with an old course mate, and he shared some insightful advice about his transition to tech after two years in microchip manufacturing 💡 There are some key actions he took that I found relevant for many career switchers out there: 1️⃣ 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 - Although he wasn't in the industry, he built numerous side projects (machine learning + web apps) to keep his skills sharp. He even created a YouTube channel to share his knowledge with a broader audience. Teaching is one of the best ways to learn, and through this channel, he grew tremendously, both in terms of his technical skills and learning abilities. 2️⃣ 𝐃𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 & 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 - As much as he would have liked to spend more time learning computer science, the truth is, he could only dedicate limited hours to the subject every week. After weighing his situation from different aspects, he decided to resign and pursue a master's degree to further improve his skills. Personally, I don't think a degree is necessary to succeed in computer science, but for him, it was a good time to channel all his energy into what he loves and have more time each week to build his computer science skillset. He could spend more time building his portfolio and preparing for interviews. 3️⃣ 𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 - When deciding which stream to join for his master's, the key question he asked was how he could stand out from others who were already 2-3 years into the industry. After doing some research, he decided to pursue AI/ML for his master's. He wanted to explore the MLOps area, which requires a combination of software engineering and AI skills, an area with relatively lower competition in the market. Fast forward to today, he is currently working as an MLOps engineer at a bank. He enjoys his current work a lot and is happier than ever, having achieved his goal after 2-3 years of a bumpy career exploration journey. I find his story very inspiring and a good learning reference for some of you who are currently doing career switches. Do you have any learnings or advice that you can share? Share them in the comment below ! ----- 🔔 I post content about software engineering, follow me on LinkedIn and subscribe to my newsletter for more content like this. #softwareengineering #career

25

2 Comments

🚀 Excited to announce that I've just started studying the 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧-𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 as part of my 𝐌𝐒𝐜 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 at the University of Bath! 🎓 This module dives deep into the fascinating world of usability and user-centered design, focusing on how we can create effective, engaging, and accessible digital interactions. We'll be exploring critical themes such as participatory design, evaluating emotional engagement, and designing for accessibility across various platforms, including mobile and intelligent systems. Looking forward to gaining advanced knowledge and practical skills in usability design and evaluation, as well as the latest trends and research in HCI. This journey will not only enhance my understanding but also equip me to contribute to the field of human-computer interaction in meaningful ways. #HCI #UserExperience #InteractionDesign #Usability #MScComputerScience #UniversityOfBath #ContinuousLearning

2

This is a surprisingly big deal. Cangjie will be the first mainstream language with large-scale adoption to feature algebraic effects and handlers (OCaml did it first, but adoption is limited). If you're interested in programming languages, you can't miss this!

2

Very interesting workshop, I hope everyone can make it as it can be really beneficial later on in building web-apps, mobile apps or any software. We are also including a computer-science career roadmap in this workshop that will help you explore the different fields of Computer-Science 🚀

3

I am an obsessive tester, push to the limits-er when it comes to my scientific codes and I have, maybe a little too late, learnt rather a lot from software engineering, units tests etc... all this seems utterly tedious at the time but pays off in the long run IMHO.... anyway back to tests, take your code, shake it, stick in tough or difficult boundary conditions... here's a little movie of one such I did earlier, a high-resolution small-scale discrete element model... average element radius 0.7m, 200x100m assembly, let it equilibrate, then carve out an unstable slope in this frictional-cohesive cover... and observe...a simple movie, geometry first then incremental displacement mapped to the elements...note the talus/debris slope, cohesive scarp-cliff etc. etc. Juan Diego Bauzá Castelló

35

3 Comments

I usually refrain from posting political content on social media, but I'm positive about The Labour Party manifesto, which lays out a transformative vision for AI and technology in the UK, poised to drive innovation and growth. Key commitments include: - Increased R&D Investment: A boost in funding for research and development will solidify the UK's position as a global leader in technological advancements. - AI and Digital Transformation: Prioritizing AI and digital technologies will spur innovation across industries, creating new opportunities and boosting productivity. - Enhancing Tech Skills and Education: Initiatives to enhance digital skills through education and training programs will bridge the tech skills gap, preparing the workforce for the evolving job market. - Support for Startups and SMEs: Policies supporting tech startups and SMEs will cultivate an ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship. These measures will fortify the UK's standing as a global tech leader, driving inclusive growth and prosperity for all. It's an exciting time for the tech community, and I anticipate these initiatives shaping our future! Congratulations Keir Starmer on becoming the Prime Minister #TechUK #Innovation #AI #DigitalTransformation #LabourManifesto #FutureTech #Growth #ResearchAndDevelopment

35

3 Comments

I'm excited to finally get my hands on this treasure - "Build a Large Language Model (From Scratch)" by Sebastian Raschka, PhD, a renowned author and AI expert who I greatly admire 🙌🏻. For those following my journey, you're aware of my appreciation for Sebastian. I first discovered his work through Lightning AI ⚡️ (previously PyTorch Lightning), and later through his insightful book "Machine Learning with PyTorch and Scikit-Learn," as well as his lecture series on Machine Learning and Deep Learning. I also make it a point to follow his blog posts and recommend them to others. What I truly appreciate about Sebastian is his unique ability to teach me something new, regardless of my familiarity with the topic. His gentle, insightful, elegant, and thorough teaching style never fails to captivate me. Initially, I planned to explore his new book on Large Language Models (LLMs) in early January. However, my priorities shifted towards diving into MLOps and learning the Korean language, causing a delay. Nevertheless, I realized that postponing it further would only hinder my progress in understanding #LLMs, a topic I'm eager to explore. This also enables me to support one of my favorite figures in this field which makes me feel happy. I wanted to support him through his blog but his blog is completely free (like what 🤯). With that in mind, my current plan is to: 🚀 Continue working on the model registry for my organization. 🎨 Progress with Chip Huyen's book "Designing Machine Learning Systems." 🧩 Begin delving into Sebastian Raschka, PhD's "Build a Large Language Model" and his accompanying blog posts. I'm committed to continuous growth and looking forward to the exciting journey ahead. Let's keep learning and growing together 🙏🏻! Link to the blog: https://lnkd.in/gP9NY4-W Book link: https://lnkd.in/g_QJwADj #languagemodeling #deeplearning #nlp #transformers #llms

379

25 Comments

I recently wrapped up the Machine Learning Specialisation from Stanford University & DeepLearning.AI. https://lnkd.in/efAEHrWp With AI tools becoming more integrated into my work as a design engineer, I wanted to gain a better understanding of how they function. The course covered a wide range of topics, from supervised learning to neural networks, and provided hands-on experience through labs in Jupyter Notebooks using tools like TensorFlow, Scikit-learn, and PyTorch. One of my favourite parts of the course was the opportunity to apply these concepts to real-world datasets—it really helped solidify the theory with practical examples. I’m excited to continue exploring how machine learning can be beneficial to the product development workflow. Recently, I’ve been experimenting with open-source models like Stable Diffusion, Flux, and ControlNet, and I’m eager to see how these tools can drive more creative and efficient design processes. For anyone curious about AI, I highly recommend this course—it’s a great way to build a solid foundation and understand the fundamentals.

39

1 Comment

🌟 How TensorFlow is Shaping the Future of Key Industries 🌍 Ever wondered how self-driving cars make split-second decisions or how your favourite shopping sites always know what you’re looking for? That’s TensorFlow at work! In my latest blog, I explore the real-world impact of TensorFlow, and it’s fascinating to see how it’s transforming industries: 🔧 Manufacturing & Automotive TensorFlow is helping manufacturers predict when machines will fail, reducing downtime and boosting efficiency. Plus, it’s powering autonomous vehicles to make smarter, safer driving decisions. 🏥 Healthcare AI-driven diagnostics are improving medical imaging and helping doctors catch diseases earlier. TensorFlow even aids in personalising treatment plans based on individual data. 🛒 Retail & E-commerce From personalised product recommendations to optimised inventory management, TensorFlow is reshaping the way we shop, making experiences smoother and more intuitive. The more I explore, the more I realise TensorFlow isn’t just for tech experts—it’s for anyone looking to drive innovation and solve problems across industries. Read my full post here and join the discussion hashtag #MachineLearning #AI #Innovation #TensorFlow #TechForGood #DataScience

1

I'm excited to share three fascinating conversations from ROSCon 2024 (recorded in Denmark last October) about the future of robotics: Marcus Scheunemann (Head of Autonomy at Dexory) shares how they've scaled from 0 to 90+ warehouse robots in just 2 years by focusing heavily on testing infrastructure. Christine Fraser (CEO at Asimovo) discusses their developer platform that makes it easier for robotics teams to collaborate using Kubernetes. Angelo Corsaro (@CEO/CTO ZettaScale Technology) explains Zenoh - the future middleware for ROS 2 that solves key DDS limitations and will be the default in a future ROS 2 release. Each conversation dives deep into how these companies are solving real challenges in robotics development, deployment, and scaling. #robotics #ROS2 #ROSCon2024 #roboticsstartup #middleware Links to episode in comments ⬇️

27

3 Comments

Here's my 2024 LinkedIn Rewind, by Coauthor.studio: 2024 taught me that where you begin doesn't determine your journey - you do. From teaching computer science to founding Computing Powers Ltd to starting my PhD in Safe AI at York's SAINTS CDT, every step has reinforced that growth comes from embracing challenges. September marked the beginning of my biggest adventure yet at the Institute for Safe Autonomy. Between Python bootcamps, intensive seminars in AI and Bayesian Decision Theory, and collaborating with an incredible cohort, I've experienced everything from imposter syndrome to breakthrough moments - sometimes in the same day! But that's where real growth happens. Key moments that shaped 2024: • Started PhD research in Safe AI at York's SAINTS CDT • Selected for PMI scholarship (1 of 18 from 650+ applicants!) • Continued as CTO at Computing Powers Ltd, bridging industry and academia • Earned certifications in Generative AI, Project Management, and Azure • Joined Society of Research Software Engineering • Participated in SAINTS CDT Marathon Relay for Student Minds Most impactful posts this year: "PMI Scholarship Award Announcement" - On being selected for this transformative opportunity and bringing diverse perspectives to project management https://lnkd.in/ehVedssF "SAINTS CDT Team Photo Update" - On finding our place as a research team and looking forward to four years of collaboration https://lnkd.in/eFCnNaud "Databricks Generative AI Certification" - On continuous learning and developing skills for the future https://lnkd.in/eTniYbnd As a neurodiverse professional, this transition from industry to academia has shown me that different perspectives aren't just valuable - they're essential for developing safe, ethical AI systems. The challenges that once held me back now drive innovation forward. Looking ahead: 2025 will focus on advancing safe AI research while ensuring technology serves human needs. The facilities at ISA, our growing research team, and the bridge between academia and industry through Computing Powers Ltd - it's all coming together to make meaningful progress in AI safety. To everyone working towards ethical AI development: your unique perspective matters. Whether through research, teaching, or building - we're creating a future where AI works safely for everyone. -- Get your 2024 LinkedIn Rewind at https://lnkd.in/enAUjzaY

5

Each year, I share ideas for MSc Computer Science dissertation projects for students at Birkbeck, University of London! This year, I’m happy to open it up to all students looking for help! In the past three months, I have received voluntary advice for my startup from people I haven’t met before, so I decided to give back by offering as much help as possible. If you're looking for a dissertation idea, already have one in mind, or would like to brainstorm, comment below, and we will catch up. If you'd like to contribute a new idea, please drop a brief description below - any subject is fine!

41

Excited to Share Our Baby Soother Project! 🎉 As part of the EE1000: Creative Engineering Team Project 1 at Royal Holloway, University of London, my team and I developed an innovative Baby Soother designed to comfort and engage babies. 🛠️ Key Features: -PIR Sensor Integration: Detects the baby and activates the system only when needed. -Light Sensitivity: Neopixel ring illuminates in low-light environments. -Soothing Tunes & Rotating Stars: Engages and comforts crying babies. -Optimized Performance: Implements time-sliced programming to operate all components seamlessly. This project enhanced my skills 📈 in embedded systems, sensor integration, and collaborative engineering. It was an incredible journey working with a talented team! Bradley Port: Project Manager Nicole Yousif: Hardware Engineer Malaika T: Design Engineer Myself: Software Engineer Check out my GitHub for the code, circuit design, and detailed report: [https://lnkd.in/dKpCYScV] Would love to hear your feedback! 🚀 #EmbeddedSystems #Arduino #Innovation #EngineeringProjects #RoyalHolloway

17

4 Comments

Musk doesn't have a clue how long it will take to deliver roboTaxi, given Musk's history of wild promises followed by years of delays Musk successfully delivered the vision of Tesla 's original founders, however, Musk lacks a vision himself other than wild promises that are smoke & mirrors Reality is that competition is delivering results which will add to their bottom line, whereas, Robotaxi dream is many years away and not likely to provide income stream that economy EVs will bring. Hence, Tesla stock will drop below $100 is almost guaranteed https://lnkd.in/eSAeBak4

1

Have you ever wanted to know how fast one dimensional reversible cellular automata can be rendered using SIMD? No? Well you should, here's an article I wrote a while ago: https://lnkd.in/eAVpGQq

2