ChatADS

How do you navigate conflict in the workplace while building trust and maintaining strong professional relationships?

In part two of our conversation with Greg Green, Faculty Director of the University of Chicago's MS in Applied Data Science program, Greg joins host Daniel Truesdale to discuss the role conflict plays in high-performing teams and why being technically correct isn't always enough to succeed in the workplace.

Drawing from his years in industry, Greg shares personal experiences navigating difficult conversations, learning to balance technical expertise with emotional intelligence, and understanding the importance of seeing the bigger picture when solving business problems.

Whether you're preparing for your first professional role or looking to strengthen your workplace relationships, this episode offers valuable lessons on communication, collaboration, and building trust.

Missed part one? Catch up on our conversation about imposter syndrome and Greg's journey to becoming Faculty Director. Stay tuned for part three!

In this episode of ChatADS, MS in Applied Data Science Faculty Director Greg Green shares the story behind his transition from more than 30 years in industry to the University of Chicago.

Greg reflects on navigating imposter syndrome as he considered becoming a Faculty Director and how he learned to focus on the experience, perspective, and strengths he could bring to a new role. He also takes us inside his interview process, from researching the program and learning from faculty and students to developing a vision for its future, and shares how his industry experience helped shape his approach.

This is the first part of our conversation with Greg Green. Stay tuned for the next part.

Recent MS in Applied Data Science graduate Sebastian joins ChatADS to reflect on his experience at UChicago and how he plans to apply what he learned as he returns to his career at Colombia’s central bank. Sebastian shares how his background in economics led him to data science and explores how new sources of data are changing the way economists and financial institutions approach complex problems.

He also takes us inside his capstone project, where his team built a recommendation system for an insurance broker, and discusses the challenges that come with putting models into practice.

Sebastian also reflects on his time in Chicago and what he’s taking with him into the next chapter of his career.

What does it take to build a career at the intersection of business, data science, and AI?

In this episode of ChatADS, Daniel Truesdale sits down with MS in Applied Data Science student Bandar Soufi to talk about his path from healthcare and consulting to data science. Bandar shares what led him to pursue graduate study at the University of Chicago, how generative AI has changed the way he approaches learning and coding, and how his recent internship at Bain & Company brought his interests in business and technology together.

They also discuss how AI is reshaping the roles of consultants and data scientists, the value of understanding both the technical and business sides of a problem, and Bandar’s goal of moving beyond using technology to helping build what comes next.

ChatADS host Daniel Truesdale sits down with Natalia Elezovic, Senior AI Engineer at Bank of America working on Erica for Employees, for a conversation exploring how to solve AI problems at scale, the next bottlenecks in the AI space, the skillsets that matter, how to build an AI strategy across industries, and where we're at with AGI.

Natalia's career has evolved from hands-on model performance and management to leadership and mentorship, stakeholder management, and AI governance, giving her a front-row view of the patterns that separate AI initiatives that scale from those that stall, and how that's reshaping hiring and team-building decisions as roles shift.

Whether you're a young professional navigating the AI industry right now, building an AI strategy for a single team, or scaling one across an entire organization, this conversation offers a clear-eyed, insider's read on where the real leverage is now, and where it's headed next.

Learn more about Natalia and explore her work and writing at: https://nataliaelezovic.com/

In this episode of ChatADS, Daniel sits down with DuJuan Smith, Director of Student Affairs for the UChicago's MS in Applied Data Science program, for a conversation that goes far beyond higher education. DuJuan reflects on the experiences that shaped his approach to leadership, from discovering the transformative power of college, to studying abroad in Ghana, sailing around the world with Semester at Sea, and leading through the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Together, they explore why curiosity, community, and critical thinking matter more than ever in the age of AI. DuJuan shares how he approaches AI as a thought partner, one that helps generate ideas, uncover blind spots, and expand perspectives without replacing the uniquely human work of critical thinking, relationship building, and making informed decisions.

What does it take to build a successful career in AI beyond technical skills?

In this episode of ChatADS, Daniel sits down with Jenny Schmidt, founder of J Schmidt Consulting and instructor for the University of Chicago's MS in Applied Data Science Career Seminar, to discuss how students and professionals can stand out in today's rapidly evolving job market.

Jenny shares practical advice on networking, navigating career transitions, developing executive presence, embracing ambiguity, and using AI as a tool without losing your unique voice. Jenny and Daniel also explore why emotional intelligence, curiosity, and communication have become some of the most valuable skills in the age of AI.

Whether you're looking for your first data science role, pivoting careers, or preparing for leadership, this conversation is full of actionable insights to help you grow.

ChatADS host Daniel Truesdale chats with Nicole Janeway Bills, Founder & CEO of Data Strategy Professionals, to explore how AI is transforming the way organizations operate, and why technology alone isn't enough to drive successful adoption.

Nicole shares her perspective on data strategy, governance, organizational culture, and the growing gap between AI capabilities and organizational readiness. Together, they discuss why AI doesn't fail like humans do, the importance of experimentation, how governance must evolve alongside AI, and what skills will matter most in an increasingly automated world.

Whether you're a data professional, student, or simply curious about the future of work, this conversation offers practical insights into navigating one of the biggest technological shifts of our time.

In Part 2 of their conversation, MS in Applied Data Science instructor Batu Gundogdu and host Daniel Truesdale explore some of the biggest questions surrounding the future of artificial intelligence. The discussion covers Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), the race between leading AI companies, the push for smaller and more efficient models, and whether AI could one day surpass human capabilities across multiple domains. They also examine the challenge of defining intelligence, the possibility of truly original AI-generated ideas, and what may continue to distinguish humans from machines.

In this Faculty Spotlight conversation, Batu Gundogdu traces the evolution of AI from early machine learning research and speech processing to today's large language models and emerging world models. Along the way, he discusses how AI has changed over the last decade, what may come next, and how foundational concepts continue to shape modern systems.

Batu also shares lessons from his first AI consulting projects, including how to identify real business problems, communicate across disciplines, and create value with machine learning. The conversation explores career growth, learning through failure, and why adaptability is one of the most important skills in a rapidly changing field.