4 ms·
Working for big tech, our Director wanted to add "ML" to one of our workflows no matter what. He identified a "problematic step" and a team of scientist spent 1
by angarg12 3y ago
Working for big tech, our Director wanted to add "ML" to one of our workflows no matter what. He identified a "problematic step" and a team of scientist spent 1 year coming up with a ML model to replace this step. I was asked to deploy this solution in production.
When we tested the model (which somehow hadn't happened before) we found that the workflow was 5% quicker, but the results were more than 10% worse, and was more expensive to run. Everyone hated the idea, but the director kept pushing to do it, "or I'll find someone else to do it". I ran away and never looked back.
- bqmjjx0kac 3y agoDo you think the director was truly convinced AI was a good technical solution despite the evidence? Or is it possible they were participating in an emperor-has-no-clothes situation, i.e. the CEO has mandated all teams implement AI somewhere, anywhere?
- rm445 3y agoI'm not saying it was a sensible decision, but I think at that level you kinda need to have a few balls in the air. Having a few projects using ML or whatever else is in vogue is defensible, might be a win, might build some expertise, shows you're in touch with the current thing etc.
- roland35 3y agoYup exactly, sometimes you should try new things. They don't always work out. Although in this case it seemed like an expensive mistake...
- asdfman123 3y agoI'm wondering if the CEO just understands their clients will buy more products if they have "AI" in the title, even if it's pointless. Your job isn't to make good software, it's to make profitable software.
- angarg12 3y agoThis was an internal tool, so no use in fluffy marketing.
- angarg12 3y agoI think this was a folly by our director. About a year after I left I learnt that he had "left to pursue other opportunities", which is corporate speak for "he got canned".
- 7thaccount 3y agoAlmost assuredly he knew it was a bad idea, but had a goal of "implement machine learning" from his VP or just wanted it in his resume.