DebKR

To the Stars

debkr

Resources: Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (work in progress)

Resources: Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (work in progress)

By

AIUniversities
Stanford Computer Science (AI Research): http://cs.stanford.edu/research/ai
Stanford AI Lab: http://ai.stanford.edu/
Stanford Search: http://www.stanford.edu/search/
Stanford AI100: One Hundred Year Study on Artificial Intelligence

Articles
Why big tech companies are open-sourcing their AI systems
How many computers does it take to identify a cat?

People
Andrew Ng http://www.andrewng.org/
Yaser S. Abu-Mostafa http://work.caltech.edu/
See also my post here (various sources as given): Most Influential Data Scientists (Two Lists) (includes Machine Learning)
Dr. Francois M. Vanderseypen: https://github.com/Orbifold/ \\ http://www.orbifold.net/ \\

Software
TensorFlow https://www.tensorflow.org/ (Google says: “we believe [TensorFlow] to be one of the best machine learning toolboxes in the world, we hope to create an open standard for exchanging research ideas and putting machine learning in products. Google engineers really do use TensorFlow in user-facing products and services, and our research group intends to share TensorFlow implementations along side many of our research publications.”) (includes ‘Get Started’ and ‘Tutorials’ sections.)
Orbifold ML algos on GitHub: https://github.com/Orbifold/XAct

Learning: Recommended Courses
Article: How do I learn machine learning?
Article: 7 Free Machine Learning Courses

Glossaries
Machine Learning – Glossary of Terms, Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab
Machine Learning Dictionary, School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales

 

Where to Start in Programming 2

Where to Start in Programming 2

By

programming-pythonOption 1: the intention is to create something specific right now (start with the end in mind)
  • Web developing: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP
  • App developing: Java for Android, or Objective C for iOS
  • Mainstream programming, various uses: C, C#, Java, Perl, Python, Ruby

Option 2: the intention is to become a programmer, we can worry about what to create later (eat, sleep, code)

  • To learn to code efficiently, at machine-level, choose C
    • Advantages: you learn the fundamentals of coding; see how the language interacts with the hardware; requires discipline so teaches you to code efficiently
    • Disadvantage: strict; not really beginner-friendly; longer learning time than some other languages; can be frustrating (e.g. debugging for errant semicolons)
  • To learn the principles of Object Oriented Programming (OOP), choose Java
    • Advantages: highly practical language; learning Java means you’re learning the OOP principles – allows for easier/faster learning of more modern languages like C++, Perl, Python, PHP; taught for free via Stanford Uni’s open-access Programming Methodology course; used extensively across many platforms; used in Android app development; long history of use means lots of standard examples available
    • Disadvantages: ??

[Read more…] about Where to Start in Programming 2

Where to Start in Programming

Where to Start in Programming

By

programmingIn school we were taught Basic. As a maths undergrad I studied programming, primarily C++. So long ago now, I don’t remember much at all.

If I were to learn programming now, it’s a minefield: What language to concentrate on? What’s the best route for a beginner to follow? What hardware requirements are there so I can get going (economically)? Are there different routes one could follow that determine what kind of programming they could end up doing? Or is there a generic language I can start with, then branch out from there? How long will it take me to learn (to reasonable level of competency) any given programming language?

Some general thoughts and research (in no particular order):

  • Finance systems implementation (current project): Unit4 (formerly CODA) Dream accounting software is “built on Windows technology”
  • Windows OS mainly uses C, C++ with some C# for Windows, also some parts in assembly language
  • XML (Extensible Markup Language): A metalanguage, powerful option for importing/exporting data between different users/applications. Through a set of pre-defined rules, documents or data can be formatted which is machine-readable but also remains readable by humans. Referred to in the book Digital Accounting: The Effects of the Internet and ERP on Accounting by Ashutosh Deshmukh. Used by various governments in ‘tagged’ accounting submissions. Not widely deployed by small businesses despite it’s relative ease to implement. Could be used for (dare I say it) passing information between departments

[Read more…] about Where to Start in Programming

Thoughts on Career Direction

Thoughts on Career Direction

By

punch-cardsScanning the horizons and adding together current interests with possible ideas about future directions career- and business-wise, my main thoughts the last year or so have been:
  • 1. There’s no sense in tearing everything up and starting over on a completely new career-path. Lack of time/resources makes this option unrealistic. The pragmatist in me recognises: far better to start where you are and pivot to a new direction.

2. My strongest aptitude academically/intellectually was always maths. This hasn’t changed. I studied both maths and advanced maths at A-level. Stupid me followed convention (knew I shouldn’t have done that) and added physics to that list. Physics was never my strongest suit. Should have played computing instead, would have made far more sense. My mind has that ferocious logic thing going on. Computers understand me, humans don’t. That should have made the ‘maths + computing’ combo a no-brainer. It’s my only regret in life: that I didn’t work this one out sooner. (In my defence, I was constrained by the world’s worst careers advisor, but that’s a subject for another day.)

3. Earning power has to be a consideration in all this. Forget fancy ideas about ‘do what you love’, ‘follow your passions’, ‘put contribution first and the money will follow’. Here’s the secret, people: you get paid for adding value, for solving problems, for meeting others’ needs/wants. Really doesn’t matter what area or niche that’s in. Although the standard internet marketers’ meme (there are only three hot niches: finance, money, health) still applies. I have plenty of experience in business/finance and know where the pain points are, especially for cash-strapped (and often technophobic) small businesses.

[Read more…] about Thoughts on Career Direction

Welcome

Welcome

By

At the start of 2016, I pressed pause on a long and successful career in financial management to allow time and space to review my long-term career options. For some time now I’ve wanted to expand my horizons and venture into new, exciting and uncharted territory. There’s a whole world of opportunity out there waiting for each of us to go out and grab with both hands. And there’s no better time to do that than now: we have entered the era of the autonomous career.

My guiding philosophy in this next phase of my career and life is one of creative learning, ideas and joyful experimentation.

This blog is my platform to reflect upon new directions along the journey. Expect it to be free-form and wide-ranging, covering current systems and technology interests such as:

  • Artificial intelligence
  • Machine learning
  • Natural language processing
  • Intelligent agents
  • Programming languages (Python, R, SQL)
  • Data science/analytics
  • Digital business systems

As well as ongoing professional interests such as economics, business change and transformation, knowledge-sharing and collaborative working and new 21st century ways of organising and leading businesses.

I continue to work in finance in a consultative capacity, working with small businesses, start-ups and individuals, sharing my experience and skills in financial management, business change, and business/finance systems development. I’m available for consulting and interim positions in these fields, and you can contact me here or via my consultancy website: autonomy finance.