What Happens to Data Science in the Age of AI? with Hilary Mason

In this episode of High Signal, Hilary Mason—renowned data scientist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Hidden Door—shares her unique insights into the evolving world of data science and generative AI. Drawing from her pioneering work at Fast Forward Labs, Bitly, and Hidden Door, Hilary explores how creativity, judgment, and empathy are reshaping the data landscape.

Highlights from the discussion include:
- Judgment as a Competitive Edge: Hilary emphasizes the enduring importance of human judgment in framing problems and evaluating AI outputs.
- The Future of Generative AI: She discusses its transformative potential while cautioning against over-reliance on prompts, advocating for systems rooted in rich context.
- Building for Creativity with Hidden Door: Hilary shares how her company turns generative AI’s liabilities into assets, creating immersive, bias-aware storytelling experiences.
- The Shifting Role of Data Science Careers: With automation redefining entry-level roles, Hilary outlines how data professionals can focus on transferable skills to stay ahead.
- Navigating AI Strategy in Leadership: She offers pragmatic advice on balancing the hype of AI with practical business impact, aligning leadership expectations with achievable goals.

The conversation concludes with Hilary’s optimistic take on how the data science community can continue to thrive by embracing creativity, empathy, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

🎧 Tune in to gain practical insights into building robust AI systems, navigating career shifts, and leveraging generative AI for meaningful innovation.

00:00 Introduction to Data Science in the Age of LLMs
00:50 The Evolution of Data Science
01:19 Navigating AI Strategy and AGI
01:56 Challenges with Large Language Models
03:54 Hilary Mason's Career Journey
05:47 The Role of Judgment in Data Science
06:44 From Data Science and Machine Learning to GenAI
22:19 Generative AI and Hidden Door
38:52 Addressing Bias in AI Systems
39:10 Hidden Door's Approach to Character Creation
39:53 Using LLMs for Translation and Control
42:58 Combining Generative Models with Structured Systems
44:52 Ensuring Compliance and Reducing Costs
47:10 Skills and Roles in Data Science and AI
52:04 The Future of Data Science in the Age of AI
01:08:48 Managing Expectations and Risks in AI Adoption
01:14:19 Career Paths and Learning in the AI Era
01:17:10 Final Thoughts on Data Science and AI