In this episode of Robots and Red Tape, host Nick Schutt sits down with Daniel Schmidt, an AI practitioner at Thomson Reuters Special Services, to unpack how to stay relevant in the lightning-fast world of artificial intelligence. With a background spanning math, physics, and computer science, Daniel shares his journey—from mastering reinforcement learning to serving in the Israeli military developing AI algorithms, and now working on cutting-edge multi-agent frameworks for government applications. With 13 years in data science and machine learning across security, healthcare, and more, Daniel offers a deep dive into the skills and habits needed to keep pace with AI’s evolution.

The conversation explores:

• From Academia to AI: Daniel’s shift from quantum mechanics to machine learning, sparked by a passion for solving real-world problems with reinforcement learning and NLP.
• Staying Current as a Practitioner: Practical strategies for tracking state-of-the-art AI methods, leveraging tools like Hugging Face, Papers with Code, and GitHub to filter noise and focus on what works.
• Prompt Engineering Power: Why mastering prompts—through structured code or iterative techniques—unlocks better LLM performance for users and developers alike.
• AI for Executives and End Users: How non-technical leaders can harness AI by understanding trends like the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and using simplified tools to drive value.
• Code vs. Creativity: The role of coding fundamentals in an era of AI-assisted programming, and why system design remains a human stronghold.
• Data Privacy Pitfalls: Navigating the risks of sensitive data in public LLMs, with tips on vendor selection and avoiding foreign-hosted systems for secure applications.
• Under appreciated Breakthrough: Why Stanford’s DSPy project, which optimizes prompts through code, is a game-changer for reliable AI integration.
• Habits for Relevance: Daniel’s advice on dedicating weekly time to experimentation, forming learning groups, and treating AI learning like a mental workout to stay ahead.

Daniel emphasizes that AI’s rapid pace demands curiosity, discipline, and a balance of technical and practical skills—whether you’re building systems or using them. Tune in for an insightful, actionable discussion on thriving in the AI revolution, with tips for practitioners, executives, and curious users alike.

To connect with Daniel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-schmidt-574482b8/

Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXwPTHJC1XE

To learn more about Thomson Reuters Special Services: https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/government-solutions.html

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