In this episode, we chat with Mihaela Rosca, a Research Engineer at DeepMind, one of the world’s leading AI research labs known for its groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence. DeepMind has been at the forefront of developing AI systems that push the boundaries of human knowledge—from mastering complex games like Go and Starcraft to accelerating scientific discoveries in fields such as protein folding and weather prediction. The company’s research is not just about theoretical breakthroughs; it has a profound real-world impact, from optimizing energy efficiency in Google data centers to advancing AI safety and ethics. Mihaela’s career journey is a testament to the rigorous expertise fostered at DeepMind. She started as a Software Engineer at Google Zurich, specializing in Natural Language Processing (NLP) using neural networks before embarking on a PhD at University College London (UCL) under the mentorship of Professor Marc Deisenroth. Her research interests span generative models, reinforcement learning, NLP, and the broader challenge of making machine learning both scalable and safe. A deep thinker in the field, Mihaela has a particular fascination with probability distributions and their role in learning models. Her academic journey began with a first-class honours MEng in Computing from Imperial College London, where she was recognized for her exceptional performance. Now at DeepMind, she is part of a team pushing the frontiers of AI research, working on fundamental advancements that will shape the future of technology and society. This episode is brought to you by Bedrock, a boutique firm specializing in Data Science and AI. Our podcast, Data Stand-up, is dedicated to spreading scientific knowledge and technical expertise from industry pioneers. Through insightful conversations with experts like Mihaela, we aim to foster knowledge exchange and inspire the next wave of AI researchers and practitioners. 🚀 Tune in for a deep dive into the world of cutting-edge AI research! 🎧