On this episode of Data Driven, we venture into the ever-shifting landscape of software engineering, AI-assisted coding, and the sometimes chaotic future of development teams with special guest Thanos Diacakis—no, not the Marvel villain, but a powerhouse in software leadership whose career spans scrappy startups to tech giants like Uber.

Hosts Frank La Vigne, Andy Leonard, and resident AI BAILeY welcome Thanos for an insightful, witty, and sometimes philosophical conversation about the promise and perils of AI in software engineering. From the rise (and risks) of “vibe coding” to the changing definition of good engineering, Thanos shares firsthand experiences, pitfalls to avoid, and why solid fundamentals matter now more than ever—even with AI churning out code at lightning speed.

We also explore how AI is reshaping workflows for both solo developers and large teams, the difference between local and global efficiency, and how bottlenecks are shifting in this new era. Thanos breaks down his “seven mental models” for effective engineering, demystifies the right way to work with AI tools (instead of letting them run wild), and explains why junior devs still deserve a seat at the table.

If you’re curious about the real impact of AI-assisted coding, worried about the next wave of software “apocalypse,” or just eager for practical strategies to keep your teams productive and sane, this episode is packed with the wisdom, humor, and actionable takeaways you’ll want to hear. Buckle up as we dive deep into the code base—this is Data Driven, where the only thing disappearing is inefficiency.

• Cosmic Teacups: https://www.cosmicteacups.com/
• The Goal 40th Anniversary Edition: https://amzn.to/4lGhZbI (Amazon affilliate link)
• The Goal Graphic Novel (Yes, really) https://amzn.to/47ohIXx (Amazon affilliate link)

00:00 "Exploring AI Coding with Thanos"

05:20 Revolutionizing Productivity with Code

08:18 Cross-Platform Utility Development

12:14 Database Costs Drop, Demand Surges

14:43 Unauthorized Copying of Software Manuals

17:54 "Chunked Narratives Enhance LLM Performance"

19:43 Grox Impressive Despite Incompletion

24:40 Reviving a Startup with AI

28:53 Bottleneck Identification and Resolution Strategy

29:37 Incremental Improvements Drive Success

34:40 Agile's Evolution: Remembering Its Roots

38:41 Balancing Features and Tech Debt

42:50 Software Estimations: A Management Trap

45:55 Managing Project Time Expectations

47:47 Trust Building Through Incremental Delivery

51:23 Language Models: Human Cognition Parallel?

56:04 "Exploring Intelligence: Brains vs. AI"

58:06 "Data Driven Episode Conclusion"

On this episode of Data Driven, we’re shuffling up some probability, statistics, and a bit of Las Vegas magic with Dr. Michael Orkin—a renowned statistician, data scientist, and former advisor to casino odds makers. Hosts Andy Leonard, Frank La Vigne, and BAILeY dig into the fascinating numbers behind games of chance, uncovering why the house almost always wins and how our brains are wired to find patterns—sometimes where none exist.

Whether you’re a data enthusiast, a casual gambler wondering why your lucky streak never lasts, or just curious about how randomness, probability, and big jackpots work, this episode has you covered. Dr. Orkin breaks down concepts like the house edge, expected value, card counting, the allure (and statistical pitfalls) of lottery tickets, and the psychology driving “hot” and “due” gambling strategies. Plus, he weighs in on lightning strikes, Black Swan events, correlation and causation, and the curious human habit of seeing connections in random outcomes.

So, get ready for a lively conversation that reminds us data is everywhere—especially where stakes are high and luck seems just out of reach. Whether you’re here for probability puns, real-world math, or the stories Vegas doesn’t want you to know, this is one episode you won’t want to miss!

The Story of Chance https://amzn.to/45qOe8x

Dr Mike's Substack https://drmikeorkin.substack.com/

00:00 Casino House Edge Explained

08:54 "Random Chance and Unlikely Events"

12:03 Justifying Buying Lottery Tickets

16:58 "SBF: Crypto King Unraveled"

26:34 Lightning Strike Probability Calculation Issues

32:26 Average Beyond Desk Boundaries

33:26 "Defining Accident Prone"

39:31 Misjudging Odds with Normal Curve

45:50 Avoiding Lightning Strikes: Bay Area

55:11 Casino Mind Games Experience

56:20 Roulette Betting Strategies: Apophenia

01:03:33 "Dr. Orkin's Website & Substack"

01:07:19 "Probability and the House Edge"

Welcome to another episode of Data Driven, where we delve deep into the crossroads of data, technology, and the ever-shifting world of geopolitics. In this packed episode, hosts Frank La Vigne and Bailey are joined by Christopher Nuland, AI technical marketing manager at Red Hat, for a candid, no-holds-barred discussion on the newly released America's AI Action Plan.

Together, they tackle everything from the resurgence of Cold War tensions in the AI arena to the complexities of “AI sovereignty” and what it really means for the US, China, and the rest of the world. Expect spirited debates about EU’s place in the global AI race, the real-world implications of chip supply chain disruptions, and the heated rhetoric around workforce security in an era when AI is starting to replace traditional jobs.

The conversation weaves through existential questions—can AI ever truly reason, or are we just witnessing the rise of superpowered “spreadsheet goblins?”—and gets hands-on with the very real risks (and opportunities) of rolling out LLMs in everyday workplaces. Plus, the team touches on power-hungry data centers, potential impacts on the job market, and even finds time to swap sci-fi references from The Expanse to Ghost in the Shell to help paint a picture of what our AI-dominated future might look like.

Buckle up for a dense, dynamic, and dangerously nerdy journey into the world of AI policy, technology, and what it means for all of us. Let’s get into it!

00:00 AI Geopolitics & America's Action Plan

08:14 EU's Role in Tech Hierarchy

14:10 "US Focus: Securing AI Workforce"

20:40 Supply Chain Security in Software

24:24 Politicians' Technical Proficiency Limits

27:19 AI Sovereignty and Cultural Values

33:52 CHIPS Act: Innovation and Expansion Hopes

38:11 "AI Vulnerability: Patch Attacks"

47:58 Maryland Power Line Controversy

50:09 "AI Impact on Jobs & UBI"

55:47 Techno Feudalism Perspective

01:04:41 "AI Sovereignty: A Geopolitical Chess Match"

In today’s conversation, hosts BAILeY and Frank La Vigne sit down with Dr. Alan Becker, co-founder and CEO of E Self AI and former co-founder of Voca AI, which was acquired by Snap in 2020. Dr. Becker brings a powerhouse combination of academic expertise and entrepreneurial experience, with a PhD in machine learning and AI and research spanning voice, NLP, and computer vision.

This episode dives into how E Self AI is transforming human-machine interaction by moving beyond chat and voice—introducing real-time face-to-face video AI assistants. Imagine smarter digital avatars that don’t just talk but engage visually and contextually, delivering personalized tutoring, streamlined customer service, and even real estate tours.

Along the way, the conversation goes deep: they discuss the pyramid of engagement from text to voice to fully visual interaction, and what the next generation of AI means for education, accessibility, and the way we connect with each other. Dr. Becker offers insights from his research on multimodal AI and reflects on the very philosophical questions these new technologies raise—like authenticity, connection, and the future of what we call “real.”

Whether you’re curious about the engineering magic behind lifelike avatars, the ethical dilemmas of AI interviews, or how technology is reshaping the learning experience, this episode is a fascinating look at where artificial intelligence—and humanity—are headed next.

Strap in, update your firmware, and get ready to stay Data Driven.

ESelf Website: https://www.eself.ai/

00:00 "Exploring AI with Dr. Becker"

05:49 Accessibility Drives eSelf's Innovation Journey

06:58 Advanced Voice Interaction Evolution

11:33 Personalized Tutoring via Multimodal AI

14:33 AI in Sci-Fi and Real Life

16:21 Understanding Users Via Encoding Algorithms

19:44 Digital Twin to AI Avatars Transition

23:14 AI Misunderstandings Due to Background Noise

27:19 AI's Role in Job Interviews

32:36 Nvidia Tool Alters Eye Contact

35:15 AI-Human Communication Blur

38:31 Reality and Gaming Perception Debate

41:51 Influencer Reality vs. Perception

44:45 Identity and Authenticity Dilemma

48:30 "Influencer's Authenticity vs. Flashiness"

53:22 Fake Celeb Math Explainer TikToks

56:10 "AI's Future: Human-Like Interaction"

57:07 Data-Driven Focus

Welcome to another episode of Data Driven—the podcast where we explore the future of technology, one neural network at a time. In this episode, your hosts Frank La Vigne and Bailey are joined by Christopher Newland, Principal AI Technical Marketing Manager at Red Hat, globetrotter, and resident connoisseur of computer flea markets. Together, they embark on a lively journey through the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.

You’ll hear tales of racking servers in suburban garages, nostalgic detours through the golden age of CompUSA and cable boxes, and candid reflections on building (and rebuilding) home labs. But it’s not all geek nostalgia. The conversation dives deep into the highly-discussed AI 2027 report—a speculative look at how AI might break free from human control, achieve superintelligence, and fundamentally alter our relationship with technology and society.

They unpack the challenges of AI infrastructure, the real-world limits of doomsday predictions, and the growing importance of data privacy and AI sovereignty. It’s a spirited, thought-provoking, and sometimes hilarious ride through past, present, and possible futures of artificial intelligence. So grab your favorite GPU-powered device, settle in, and get ready for a fascinating exploration of what might just send our world delightfully sideways by 2027!

00:00 "AI 2027: Future Unplugged"

05:47 Nvidia DGX Spark: AI Desktop Revolution

09:42 "Experienced Workers Elevate Retail Experience"

11:41 Early PC Build Challenges

17:00 Supply Chain Management Challenges

19:35 Garage Tech Showcase Challenges

23:22 AI Deception and Arms Race

24:34 Robotics Future and AI Manpower

29:15 Concerns with 2027 AI Report

32:41 Balancing Regulation and Free Market

37:04 "Theoretical Limits of AI Models"

38:32 "AI Sovereignty Discussion"

43:03 "Stay Curious, Stay Data Driven"

In this episode, host Frank La Vigne is joined by Amir Berman, VP of Industry Transformation at Buildots, to explore how AI, computer vision, and cutting-edge analytics are revolutionizing the construction industry. Forget everything you thought you knew about dusty blueprints and endless delays—Amir shares how technology is helping build smarter, safer, and more efficient job sites. From real-time progress tracking with 360° cameras to predictive analytics that keep billion-dollar projects on schedule, this conversation uncovers how digital transformation is reshaping one of the world’s oldest industries. Whether you’re a tech fanatic, data enthusiast, or just curious about how skyscrapers go from chaos to code, this episode builds a compelling case for the power of AI in construction. Grab your virtual safety goggles—let’s get hands-on with the future of building.

• https://buildots.com/
• http://thedatadrivenbook.com/

00:00 Construction's Digital Transformation Insights

09:15 Tech Vendors: Respect Contractors' Limits

14:23 "Technology Enhances Construction Oversight"

17:03 "Rewiring Minds: Tech Enhances Performance"

27:25 Predictive Analytics Exposes Construction Delays

28:19 Proactive Problem-Solving in Construction

38:31 Tech-Enhanced Workforce Retention Strategy

40:28 AI for Pipeline Problem Mitigation

45:14 "From Flash to Data Analytics"

52:24 The Innovator's Dilemma Explained

54:56 Embracing AI After Windows Mobile Flop

01:00:29 "Smart Construction with Computer Vision"

Welcome to the season nine premiere of Data Driven, where we kick things off with a thought-provoking deep dive into the world of AI-powered leadership. In this episode, hosts Frank La Vigne, Andy Leonard, and BAILeY are joined by Geoff Woods, bestselling author of "The AI Driven Leader." Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is quickly evolving from a tactical tool that writes emails and automates tasks to a transformative thought partner that can help leaders navigate high-stakes business decisions, develop innovative strategies, and even challenge their own thinking.

Geoff challenges the notion that AI is just another tech buzzword and shares real-world stories of executives using AI as a strategic confidant—literally building virtual AI boards featuring iconic figures like Steve Jobs and Warren Buffett. He breaks down his practical CRIT framework (Context, Role, Interview, Task), offering listeners actionable ways to move beyond surface-level AI use and harness its power for exponential personal and business growth.

Whether you’re a seasoned data scientist, a curious executive, or just someone looking to level up your leadership skills, this conversation will inspire you to reconsider how you work with AI—and how much more you can achieve when you use it as your smartest collaborator yet. Get ready to have your assumptions challenged, your creativity sparked, and your sticky notes filled with new ideas. Let’s get data driven!

00:00 "AI: Your Strategic Cofounder"

05:26 Strategic Leadership with AI

07:35 "Focusing on 20% High-Impact Tasks"

11:07 AI Strategies for Debt Restructuring

13:28 AI in Negotiations: Role Play Insights

19:01 Mentor in Your Pocket

21:52 "Imaginary Advisory Board"

25:17 "Starting AI: First Domino Approach"

28:33 Coaching Corporate Growth Strategy

31:51 Interactive Knowledge Experience

35:06 "Becoming an AI-Driven Leader"

38:54 "Visionary Super Connector"

43:06 Leadership Beyond Technology

47:11 Rethinking AI and Strategic Questions

49:26 "AI-Powered Strategic Visioning"

53:29 "Choosing Growth Over Perfection"

56:24 AI Achievements: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Andy and I are kicking off Season Nine of Data Driven with a bang: an insightful interview with Jeff Woods, author of “The AI Driven Leader.”

Andy, Bailey, and I are thrilled to bring you brand-new conversations, deep dives, and data stories all season long. Stay tuned for the official release, and as always, thank you for being part of our data-driven journey.

Listen for the Season Nine kickoff soon!