Colloquium - Generative AI: Its Evolution, Architecture and Impacts in Data Science

Thom Hutchison, senior manager for Data Science and AI, Husch Blackwell

Abstract: Generative Artificial Intelligence is proving to be a legitimately disruptive technology in Data Science. It has enabled applications and solutions that were science fiction 12 months ago. To understand how this technology is reshaping both business and the practice of Data Science, we will examine the history of AI leading up to the Transformer architecture and how it has enabled the generative AI revolution.

With that in hand, we'll look at real-world business applications leveraging generative AI, discuss active research areas in LLM usage and examine how careers in Data Science will change in the coming years.

Understanding these impacts will enable students to prepare for careers in a constantly evolving landscape that looks completely different than it did at the start of this decade.

BIO: Thom Hutchison is the senior manager for Data Science and AI at Husch Blackwell, an Am Law 100 firm with 22 U.S. offices focusing on corporate practice across all areas of industry.

Before joining Husch, he spent nearly five years leading the Data Science team at O'Reilly Auto Parts, supporting the Fortune 300 company's various units, including marketing, supply chain, IT, HR, legal and store ops.

Free