Welcome Andrew to our Moderating Team!

[Aman]

NeuralNets welcomes Andrew to our moderating team! He will help keep the community updated with the latest in AI research and ensure the community guidelines are being followed.

@Andrew, feel free to introduce yourself!

[Andrew]

 My name is Andrew, and I'm not the usual AI specialist. While my journey as an AI specialist is just beginning, my 12 years as a Clinical Psychologist have taught me invaluable lessons. Viewing life as a journey, not merely focusing on objectives, allows us to enjoy the process and embrace values like curiosity and the love of knowledge.

My journey in AI is just at the beginning, but this is how I feel in everything I do, that it is only a journey, it will not end and we should enjoy it. It is not good to rely only on objectives, it is good to also have values (such as love of knowledge or curiosity).

 

Starting this AI journey while working full-time had its pros and cons. The key is to maximize the advantages. Everything begins with asking the right questions: What are the foundations of AI? What do I need to know? What will benefit me the most? Where do I want to go, and how do I get there efficiently? 

From my psychology experience, I knew not all books or courses are equally valuable. Thus, I chose to pursue a BSc for a solid foundation (a 1-year master's in data science seemed too little), complementing it with excellent  courses like those from Fastai, Andrew Ng (deeplearning.ai) and Hugging Face. You can't rely only on what you learn in college, you will be left behind. There are success stories of specialists who did not have formal education, even reaching DeepMind. There are exceptions and it is easier to follow a fairly standardized route, but look how much passion can do. Seeking advice from experts and understanding their learning paths is crucial.

 

The environment significantly impacts growth. Being surrounded by passionate individuals fosters exponential growth. While finding such an environment can be challenging, opportunities like internships, can be immensely rewarding in the long term. They offer exposure to industry experts and practical experience. It looks like neuralnets.ai will be very useful, right?

Common misconceptions, like needing extensive math skills or being extremely proficient in Python, can deter you. However, adopting a growth mindset and focusing on learning step by step is essential. For instance, participating in a research internship can help you realize the value of learning from others and challenging your beliefs. (take a look here https://www.linkedin.com/company/aiisc/)

 

Relying solely on motivation is unreliable. Developing good habits, a strong work ethic, and adhering to your values are more sustainable. To boost motivation, consider how your life would look if you don’t take action. Reflect on the bigger picture and long-term outcomes.

 

To find your way with meaning, consider these questions.

• What do you never get bored of?
• What makes you smile?
• When are you happiest?
• What were you doing when you last lost track of time?
• What skills do you spend time practicing?
• What do people approach you for help with?
• What skills do you want to list on your resume?
• What achievements are you proud of?
• Do you get excited about developing your skills further?
• What would you do if you weren’t in your current job?
• What do people need, and would they pay for it?
• Is there a niche in the competition?
• Which jobs or tasks spark your interest?
• What does your society need?
• Is there something about the world you want to change?
• How can you contribute positively?
• What kind of contribution excites you?
• What societal problems do you want to solve?

 

 

I will share my entire learning map and resources in the near future.

Teaching and helping others will benefit both you and them.

 

Let's learn and grow together in this community. Share your stories, insights and questions. 

Andrei Moise