Jeremy Achin, CEO of DataRobot, discusses the caliber of data scientists on the DataRobot team during a DataDrivenNYC talk.
Opinion
Achin: Compliance is used to defend outdated, inaccurate regression models
“A word people use as a last resort to defend the status quo after they realize that their hundred variable regression model is an arbitrary representation of reality that is less accurate, robust, and interpretable than the modern, ah, alternatives.”
Prediction Not checkable as stated
Achin: Automated tools and education will solve the data scientist shortage
“And, ah, the shortage of data scientists will be solved by a combination of pragmatic education, practical education, and, ah, tools that automate the modeling process and automate data science to levels which are, right now, probably most of us in the room th…”
Insight
Achin: Complex machine learning models can be interpreted using modern techniques
“I would argue, though, that even very complicated models can be interpreted using modern techniques.”
Opinion
Achin: 'Black box' label reflects fear of new technology
“It's a phrase people use when they're scared of technology they don't understand and want to keep doing the same thing they've been doing for the last 20 years.”
Disclosure
Achin penalized job candidates for choosing the wrong modeling textbook
“I love this book so much that I would use it in interviews, so I, when somebody would come in for an interview, I would ask them, if you had to go on a desert island And do modeling consulting for the rest of your life, and you can bring one book, what would i…”
Assertion Contradicted
Achin: Non-data scientist advisor placed 5th in Kaggle competition using DataRobot
“One of our advisors, who's not a data scientist, knows nothing about insurance he came in fifth place. And this is out of six hundred-something people including thirty-something Liberty Mutual employees that have competed.”