When AI Builds, Replaces, and Redefines Us

Monthly Roundup of Data Neighbor Podcast: March 2025

What does it take to break into AI today - and stay relevant once you’re in? March’s Data Neighbor Podcast episode guests show us the full spectrum: from landing your first role in a noisy job market, to rebuilding teams when AI replaces a teammate, to shipping a working app in five minutes with no code. These aren’t just theories, they’re tested stories from people building, hiring, and teaching at the frontier of AI. Whether you're early in your career or deep into org-building, this month’s conversations offer real tactics and hard-won lessons you won’t hear anywhere else.

• Colin Matthews – “From Idea to App in Minutes (No Code)” 👉 Watch now
  Imagine this: you’ve got an idea for a data analytics tool. You type a few prompts into an AI coding assistant - and five minutes later, it’s live. Colin shows us exactly how he did that with Replit, no frontend experience required. This episode isn’t just about speed - it’s about unlocking power for solo builders, product thinkers, and anyone who's ever wanted to ship faster.

• Justin Chen – “The Org Shift: When AI Replaces a Team Member” 👉 Watch now
  Justin, previously Sr. Director of Data Science at Coinbase, pulls back the curtain on a moment that many talk about, but few actually share: a time when AI really did replace a data scientist on his team (out of necessity). But the story didn’t end there. He walks us through how he redesigned team structures to prioritize craftsmanship, maintain knowledge hygiene, and ensure orgs don’t just ship fast - but last.

• Karun Thankachan – “Landing the Job (In a Noisy Market)” 👉 Watch now
  Karun, Sr. DS at Walmart, gives a masterclass in navigating the DS job market. From resume strategies to metrics-driven networking, he reveals exactly how to get noticed and how hiring is changing when everyone’s using AI to both hire and apply.

• Maarten Grootendorst – “The Case for Small, Smart Models” 👉 Watch now
  Maarten, co-author of Hands-On Large Language Models, explains why smaller, local models might just be the future of AI - and why open source will never be far behind. He takes us through 30 years of NLP evolution in one of the most accessible breakdowns we’ve heard.

• Nikhil Pentapalli – “Making PDFs Work for You” 👉 Watch now
  Nikhil, Sr. ML Engineer at Adobe, unpacks how Acrobat’s GenAI tools are transforming documents from static clutter to smart assistants. He also shares practical wisdom on breaking into GenAI, including mistakes to avoid and how to balance hands-on projects with fundamentals.

Thoughts From the Hosts

As we mentioned in the podcast episodes, we believe AI is a non-negotiable skill that every data professional should know moving forward. Hence, we’re bringing in guests who are at the forefront of this revolution to share not just the what and why of AI, but the how - how to learn it, build with it, and stay ahead as the field evolves.

Looking ahead, we have a fantastic lineup of guests coming this month - from what life is like as a first data hire at a startup to what is Marketing Science and how AI is changing it, don’t miss out on any of the episodes by subscribing to our YouTube channel!

We’re also working on a few initiatives behind the scenes that will be unveiled in due time. Thank you for reading and your support!

Useful Resources

Hands-On Large Language Models by Maarten Grootendorst
Co-authored with Jay Alammar, this book breaks down LLMs for builders who want practical insights without academic jargon. A visual guide to the AI frontier.

Replit – Rapid AI Prototyping
Used by Colin to build a live analytics app in five minutes, Replit’s built-in AI tools make it easy to go from idea to deployed app - all in one tab. Whether you’re a solo founder or a curious builder, this is one of the fastest ways to ship your first prototype.

Question or Comment of the Month

“Is AI actually taking jobs, or is that just hype?”

Justin shares a real story of a role on his team that AI quietly replaced (kind of). But more importantly, he breaks down what can’t be replaced: systems thinking, product intuition, and collaboration.

Leave us a question or comment on any platform for a chance to be featured in this newsletter.