GWC Event: Learning AI: Pottery & More (With BlackRock)

Context

Girls Who Code is a company who uplifts girls in STEM, and right now, I am in their Pathways Program. Every week, they host events with the company’s partners. Tuesday, July 15th’s was “Learning AI: Pottery & More (With BlackRock).” Black Rock is a bank where they help manage money for larger companies (not a bank for individuals).

Girls Who Code Logo

Notes

What is AI? AI is when computers are designed to be like human using math and statistics to answer prompts realistically.

How does it learn?

AI Learning Diagram

  1. Patterns: The AI notice sunique differences in the data, patterns, like how all golden retrievers have a certain types of ears (pointy ears v. floppy ears) (Algorithms being the reason it can do this)

  2. Decisions: Able to look at new data with new differences and make conclusions and distinctions

    We then took a look at an example with Teachable Machine
    • Data: Different Justin Bieber facial expressions (“Class” of images being different expressions)

      After inputting only a few images, the model got confused and produced an incorrect result, demonstrating a need for more data. From there, we experimented with classes and tried to get an accurate pattern recoginition from the model with more data.

Content Based filtering

  • hybrid to suggest content to user that would match
  • ex: Netflix (genres from what you’ve liked AND other user’s data)
  • ex: Self Driving Cars
  • ex: Duolingo (able to recognized and translated from varying languages)

How does Black Rock use AI?

Black Rock Side

  • Use 3rd Party software to enable Black Rock employees to use an altered version of ChatGPT specific to BlackRock
  • Mainly for enhancing productivity
  • Next goal (and a continueous one): Use AI in investment management. Generate Alpha for Aladdin platform by risking success, trade execution

    Questions (asked by me)

    "Aladdin Copilot"

    How did you guys pick your model for productivity? (Why Github Copilot?) Do you guys use Gemini or ChatGPT to any extent? (asked out loud)
  • Offered as a SASS application, LLMS w/ in BlackRock
  • There are teams that use GPT for text-based things, no gemini usage yet
  • Does not let data from Black Rock out, so no open-source AI usage

The Activity

Using AI to make Pottery is the fun ending activity. Link to it here.

"My Score"

Goal was to replicate the Terracotta amphora (jar)

While the activity was a lot of fun, there was a lot to learn! AI can be used for image analysis and help with recreating experiences like pottery making.

Final Thoughts

Although this event started at 6am PST, I would say it was well worth it to learn from all of these experts and connect. Thank you to Girls Who Code for this wonderful event.