Free Form AI
Free Form AI explores the landscape of machine learning and artificial intelligence with topics ranging from cutting-edge implementations to the philosophies of product development. Whether you're an engineer, researcher, or enthusiast, we cover career growth, real-world applications, and the evolving AI ecosystem in an open, free-flowing format. Join us for practical takeaways to navigate the ever-changing world of AI.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 53 minutes
- Episodes
- 19
- Years Active
- 2025
Data Annotation to Auto-Optimization: How Agents and Human Oversight Shape AI's Future (E.19)
In this episode of Free Form AI, Michael and Ben explore the evolution of prompt engineering and the rise of auto-optimization in AI. We discuss how agents can execute tasks autonomously, why human o…
Automating Intelligence: Data Collection, Human Feedback and the Future of Context-Augmented Agents (E.18)
In this episode of Free Form AI, we sit down with Tomu Hirata (Databricks), whose journey from medicine to software engineering offers a unique lens on building AI systems. From automating constructi…
Problem Solving Under Pressure: Lessons in Fundamentals, Failure, and Finding the Fix (E.17)
In this episode of Free Form AI, we go behind the scenes with co-host Ben Wilson to explore how his early experiences in the Navy shaped his approach to engineering, risk, and creativity.
From high-st…
Beyond Benchmarks: How GPT-5 and OSS Are Redefining AI Evaluation (E.16)
In this episode of Free Form AI, Michael and Ben unpack the GPT-5 release, with a focus on what really matters: fewer hallucinations, smarter reasoning and why traditional benchmarks may no longer cu…
Libraries, Law and LLMs: How Unconventional Paths Are Shaping the Future of AI (E.15)
In this episode of Free Form AI, we sit down with Lara Rachidi and Maria Zervou, two AI professionals whose paths defy the traditional tech blueprint.
Lara began her career in law and economics before…
GenAI, Agency and Infrastructure: What’s Actually Holding Back the AI Frontier (E.14)
In this episode of Free Form AI, we sit down with Puneet Jain, Senior Applied AI Engineer at Databricks, to explore what’s really holding back GenAI from reaching production at scale, and why infrast…
From Career Pivots to AI Innovation: Lessons in Building Better Systems (E.13)
In this episode of Free Form AI, we sit down with Mary Moore-Simmons, VP of Engineering at Kibo (formerly GitHub), to explore how career pivots, leadership, and AI are reshaping engineering.
From dryi…
How AI Assistants Are Changing Coding (E.12)
In this episode of Free Form AI, we explore how AI coding assistants are reshaping the development workflow. From spotting bugs that slip past human review to writing context-aware tests and reviewin…
LATAM Engineers vs. Offshore Norms: Gino Ferrand on Hiring Right (E.11)
In this episode of Free Form AI, Michael sits down with Gino Ferrand, CEO of Tecla, to explore how traditional tech hiring misses the mark, especially when it comes to LATAM engineering talent. We br…
10 - Case Study: AI Video Recommender
In this episode, Michael and Ben discuss the intricacies of building a video clipping service and recommendation engine. They explore the challenges of defining interesting clips, the importance of f…
9 - AI Career Leveling
In this episode, Michael Berk and Ben Wilson discuss the various levels of a data science career, from internships to senior leadership roles. They explore the expectations, responsibilities, and bes…
8 - Microservices with Mark Fussell
In this episode, Michael and Ben speak with Mark Fussell, CEO of Diagrid, about Dapr, a runtime for building distributed applications. Mark shares insights on the challenges of microservices developm…
7 - What are the best AI Software Packages
In this episode, Michael and Ben explore the world of open source projects in AI, focusing on MLflow and its various flavors. They discuss popular machine learning libraries like Scikit-learn, SparkM…
6 - When Should You Bail
In this episode, Michael and Ben discuss the challenges of decision-making in software engineering, particularly focusing on the sunk cost fallacy, emotional attachment to work, and the importance of…
5 - How to Lead Engineers with Ben Johnson
In this episode, Michael Berk and Ben Johnson discuss the essential traits of effective engineering leadership, the importance of customer-centric software development, and the challenges of integrat…
4 - How to Transfer Projects
In this episode, Michael Berk and Ben discuss the intricacies of transferring code, project ownership, and knowledge within teams, particularly in the context of machine learning and software enginee…
3 - How to be a Tech Lead (TL)
In this episode, Michael Berk and Ben Wilson discuss their experiences at Databricks, focusing on project management, team dynamics, and the importance of product alignment. They explore the challeng…
2 - How to Make Knowledge Useful
In this episode, Michael and Ben Wilson discuss the concept of knowledge acquisition, focusing on how to effectively acquire knowledge for practical action rather than for its own sake. They explore …
1 - How to Scope and Build
In this episode of Freeform AI, hosts Michael and Ben discuss the importance of understanding ROI in feature development, emphasizing the need for effective prioritization and the implementation of a…