The Local Maximum with Max Sklar

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 19 - Information Theory with Daniel Kronovet, Horse Racing, and Fractional Bits Jun 19, 2018

Show notes

Daniel Kronovet and Max discuss the world of information theory. We go into how it was invented by Claude Shannon at Bell Labs, the meaning of information and entropy, and the difference between measurement and processing. Catch references to a Jim Carrey movie and the Belmont stakes!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 18 - AI Gone Psychopathic, Embellishment vs Fact Jun 12, 2018

Show notes

An article about MIT research claims that they've built a psychopathic AI. We think the article is a little off base, and try to determine what's actually going on. We cover related examples, of Microsofts Twitter Bot learning from the worst people, and a cool Google Image Program that sees animals everywhere.
I also check in with Christian Hubbs, host of Artifically Intelligent, about his podcast. I was interviewed for todays episode, so check that out!
I also define a Convolutional Neural Net, but only on the highest of high level! More on that could come in future episodes.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 17 - Comedy and Big Data Mixed Up with @robbiethefire Jun 05, 2018

Show notes

Run Your Mouth Podcaster and Stand-Up Comic Rob Bernstein joins me on the Local Maximum to talk about Comedy, Podcasting, Facebook, AI, Big Data, and of course MS Paint.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 16 - Overfitting Toddlers and Underfitting Curmudgeons May 29, 2018

Show notes

Today's concept is underfitting vs. overfitting. Someone who underfits doesn't adapt quickly enough to new data. But if you think that's bad, an overfitter will read TOO MUCH into new data and come up with wild ideas. How do you balance between them and what are some examples?
We also talk about Warren Buffet's Recent statements on Bitcoin as Rat Poison Squared, and the response from Union Square Venure's Fred Wilson. How does Bitcoin get it's value? We look at underfitters and overfitters in the crypto space.
Finally, the value of the Turing Test. When General AI comes, will it be the fabled machine that can pass as human, or will that idea be sidelined as more profitable uses taken precedent.
Also, we learn what an Ornithopter is, and get an update on Yanny-Laurel.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 15 - Poke, Chipotle, Green Needle: Data to Headline with Sarah Spagnolo May 22, 2018

Show notes

Sarah Spagnolo tells us how we turn data insights into news stories. Does marijuana legalization affect bar-going? What's it like to go on TV? I also have to weight in on #teamyanny and #teamlaurel. Plus an update on the news stories we're tracking on Google and Facebook. How far along is Google's conversational AI demo?
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 14 - Robot Communism Sucks, and AI on line one May 15, 2018

Show notes

A Washington Post OpEd believes that advances in AI will lead to a new centrally-planned economy. Google's Bots call unsuspecting businesses to save you time - but what are the implications? Bill Gates and Warren Buffet go sour on Bitcoin.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 13 - Applied Artificial Intelligence with Mariya Yao May 08, 2018

Show notes

I talk to Mariya Yao about AI and Machine Learning as applied to a variety of business problems and across industries. We cover:
- What are some of the misconceptions around AI?
- If I have an AI product, how can I talk about it to business leaders? How do I sell it externally? How does it become a business?
- Where are various industries on this?
- And what are some of the pre-requisites for AI; I’m talking about data collection, and organizational issues.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 12 - Virtual Friends & Enemies, Building Products that look out for us with Marissa Chacko May 01, 2018

Show notes

Aren’t you getting tired of using an internet that’s built to waste YOUR time - I know I am!
Product Manager Marissa Chacko and I discuss the promise and perils of these bots and push notifications. We worked on Foursquare's bot Marsbot together, and produced it to help the user first. What are some ways we can focus on building apps that help users, and what are some of the bad habits that have gotten us apps which aren't looking out for our interests?
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 11 - Max speaks to CS Undergrads @ The Yale Computer Society Apr 24, 2018

Show notes

Engineer and Podcaster Max Sklar shares his story about building software from his time at Yale to the Foursquare Innovation Lab. He’ll cover:
What he has learned about working on vast location databases, building large-scale machine learning algorithms, and designing chatbots and apps that people actually want to use.
Different ways to approach career and on working in teams
His thoughts about where the tech/software industry is going in the next decade and encourage Yalies to follow up on their ideas.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 10 - Zuckerberg Testifies, The Great Moderation War Continues Apr 17, 2018

Show notes

Aaron comes back on the program to discuss the Mark Zuckerberg testimony before congress, particularly the part pertaining to moderation and censorship. In the last episode, I described the current approach that companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Google have towards this problem and why it might be flawed. Today, we see this theory play out in the Facebook CEO's answers.
We discuss the case of Diamond and Silk, which I mentioned last week but had no idea would appear in the hearings. Also, Facebook's approach of ensuring that it's tools are used for good, and what this directive means for Facebook's future and how the internet will look in a decade.
Also, I finished the 10 episode challenge! This podcast is all grown up now.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

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