Decoding AI: A Go Programmer's Perspective - Beth Anderson, BBC

In this talk we will explore machine learning and artificial intelligence from the perspective of a Go programmer. As compute power increases and new approaches make AI a mainstream technology, understanding their application and influence is crucial for all of us involved in technology. We will debunk common myths and provide a candid look under the hood to reveal what these technologies are and how they work when we attempt to use them in production systems. Beth began her journey in the field of AI in the 90s when she studied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, culminating in a Master’s thesis focused on machine learning—utilising convolutional neural networks to classify audio waveforms. Beth later joined the BBC’s pioneering AI team, Datalab, developing recommendation engines and other tooling within the BBC. Beth is also involved with the BBC's AI&ML community which is focused on the responsible use of AI within the organisation. As the field grows and technologies previously limited to academic exploration become business-critical for companies of all sizes, we all need to understand their potential while retaining a healthy scepticism. In this session, Beth will address the importance of knowledge about the field and consider the implications of using AI and machine learning. The talk will cover practical examples of these technologies and also the risks and the realities of navigating the current AI hype.