TLC #20: Becoming Proficient with Data and AI
In the modern tech world, it is essential for every tech leader to be proficient with Data and AI. Here's how you can get started (Issue #20, 21 Jul 2024)
Hey, Ashwin here! Welcome to edition #20 of the Tech Lead Compass newsletter!
Every tech leader needs to know the basics of data tech. It's a must-have skill. While AI won't take over all tech jobs, it's a game-changer. It's like a superpower that can boost how much we get done and how well we do it.
In this post, I'll give you a plan to get started with your data journey.
I'll break down the data journey into three phases. This approach allows you to progress at your own pace and stop whenever you feel you've reached your desired level of understanding.
Gaining Data Awareness
Focus of this phase is to understand the basics of data systems, from their history to today's tools. You'll learn about different types of data solutions, why we use them, and how they're applied in real life.
Here are some resources to get started:
Introduction to Data (Datacamp)
What is Data Storytelling (Microsoft)
Foundations: Data, Data, Everywhere - Course (Google)
Understanding the Data Building Blocks
Once you've got the basics down, it's time to dive deeper into the key components of data systems.
Data Literacy Specialization - Course (Johns Hopkins)
What is Data Science? - Course (IBM)
Fundamentals of Data Engineering - Book (O’Reilly)
Understanding Data - Course (Michigan University)
Generative AI for Everyone - Course (Deeplearning.ai)
Becoming proficient in one or more Data Building Blocks
If data really grabs you, these courses can help you become an expert in specific areas of data systems.
Foundations of Data Science - Course (Google)
Designing Data-intensive Applications - Book (O’Reilly)
Generative AI with LLMs - Course (Deeplearning.ai)
Implementing Data Mesh - Book (O’Reilly)
Data Management At Scale - Book (O’Reilly)
Machine Learning Specialization - Course (Deeplearning.ai)
Google Advanced Data Analytics - Course (Google)
These lists are by no means exhaustive. Consider using this as a starting point to kickstart your data journey.
Now on to the must-read news from the past week…
5 “Must-Read” Tech News for the Week
An update to CrowdStrike’s Falcon Sensor, an agent designed to block attacks and detect threats, has caused widespread issues. Windows 10 PCs are crashing with the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) and failing to reboot.
Google Pixel 9 leak reveals the Fold, faster charging, battery, and more (Android Authority)
The leaked photos confirm that Google is moving the inner selfie camera to the corner of the screen, as hinted in earlier renders.
At the Fortune Brainstorm Tech 2024 event, Google’s Chief Scientist, Jeff Dean, discussed several fascinating topics related to AI and technology.
Google has introduced Project Oscar, an open-source platform designed to help development teams manage software programs using AI agents.
Meta Platforms has decided to suspend the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools in Brazil. This decision comes in response to objections from Brazil’s National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) regarding Meta’s new privacy policy related to personal data and AI.
That’s it for the week!
In case you missed the past articles, feel free to read them from here:
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