Anthony Figueroa

From Summarization to Generalization and Prediction

By Anthony Figueroa • September 4, 2019 • 0 Comments

We can make predictions with machine learning by generalizing our data’s pertinent characteristics. Summarizing diverse datasets provides insight that can help produce more relevant generalizations.

Data predictions provide probabilities of future outcomes by mining and analyzing existing data, also called training data. Effective prediction is a mix of engineering, statistics, and intuition. Summarization can help by shaping this intuition. In the generalization phase, we test our training data against new data, called test data, to calculate if our model is good enough to be used in real life. These two processes simplify large multidimensional datasets, so machine learning predictions can be applied to them. This article describes how summarization leads to generalization and then prediction through a real estate example.

Data Samples and error visualization techniques

By Anthony Figueroa • September 4, 2019 • 0 Comments

Why we should choose representative samples with error in mind when we build data visualizations. A brief overview of uncertain bar charts and uncertain ranked lists.

The type of data samples that populate our visualizations can add uncertainty to our results. Some common data displays like bar and pie charts work better than others for making that uncertainty understandable. This article explores how to understand our data samples and create the most suitable graphs for visualizing what they represent.
In general, the goals of data science are to understand data and generate predictive models that help us make better decisions. For a more thorough overview of data visualization, see “Data visualization and The Truthful Art.”

The Explainability Dilemma

By Anthony Figueroa • September 4, 2019 • 0 Comments

Healthcare AI explainability might be the most important dilemma of this century. This article explains why it will define medical outcomes for future generations.

Today’s AI algorithms provide medical recommendations by analyzing big data, but they can’t always give a reason for their conclusions other than the patterns they detect. Even though these AI-recommended solutions can’t be explained in terms of human understanding, many such treatments might improve the quality of patients’ lives and even save lives. This article discusses the controversial topic of medical explainability from a viewpoint that supports applying technological advancements to healthcare.

It’s no secret that the AI revolution has begun. I’m not the only one who believes that AI is making significant changes to our world. These quotes from some of the best-known leaders in science and technology point in the same direction

Data Revolution Inside Organizations

By Anthony Figueroa • August 20, 2019 • 0 Comments

How to be prepared for the change that will transform the business landscape forever.

Worldwide access to vast amounts of data has changed the business landscape. Competitive marketing depends on knowing how to manage, process, and analyze that data. This article describes the path organizations need to take from collecting data to maximizing its use.
Today’s organizations are undergoing a challenging transformation process around their technical systems. The static software platforms that might have stored and processed a business’ data are no longer sustainable in the current web environment. Enterprises need cutting-edge technology to collect big data in real-time, analyze that data, and then get the information they need to stay competitive in today’s marketplace.

Correlation is not causation

By Anthony Figueroa • August 14, 2019 • 0 Comments

Why the confusion of these concepts has profound implications, from healthcare to business management

In correlated data, a pair of variables are related in that one thing is likely to change when the other does. This relationship might lead us to assume that a change to one thing causes the change in the other. This article clarifies that kind of faulty thinking by explaining correlation, causation, and the bias that often lumps the two together.
The human brain simplifies incoming information, so we can make sense of it. Our brains often do that by making assumptions about things based on slight relationships, or bias. But that thinking process isn’t foolproof. An example is when we mistake correlation for causation. Bias can make us conclude that one thing must cause another if both change in the same way at the same time. This article clears up the misconception that correlation equals causation by exploring both of those subjects and the human brain’s tendency toward bias.

Monolithic versus microservices, and all in between

By Anthony Figueroa • August 5, 2019 • 0 Comments

Developers often decide whether to build monolithic or microservices architectures based on personal preference. This article tells you how to design the best platform for your client by considering both methods.

Monolithic all-connected platforms might serve a startup’s needs, but they often have problems with scaling to support growth. Architectures built with modular microservices work well for bigger enterprises, but they might be overengineered to require more resources than a startup can spare. This article explains how to incorporate both these build approaches to design a functional strategy from the start that evolves to fit each point in a project’s lifecycle.

Data Demystified — Machine Learning

By Anthony Figueroa • August 5, 2019 • 0 Comments

A bird-eye view of the machine learning landscape.

The main goal of this article is to cover the most important concepts of machine learning, and lay-out the landscape. The reader will have the vision to understand what kind of solution matches a specific kind of problem, and should be able to find more specific knowledge after diving into a real-life project.

I’ll start with a 60 years old definition, but still valid today:

The name is pretty self-explanatory, and the definition reinforces the same concept.

The worst way to choose your development team

By Anthony Figueroa • July 30, 2019 • 0 Comments

You might be tempted to select a dev team whose experience is the closest match to your project. This article tells you why that’s a bad idea and how to make the best choice.

There’s more to cutting-edge software developers than just prior work on a similar project. In fact, matching experience is the least important thing to look for. Agile processes, deep technical knowledge and skills, and verified success are the real indicators of a cutting-edge development team. This article explains the most important qualifications to look for and how to find a dev team that has what it takes to create not just a specific product but a lasting solution.

If you postpone technical debt it’ll bite you

By Anthony Figueroa • July 29, 2019 • 0 Comments

Even If it is not yours.

Back in 2013, an agency hired our company to create a game for Microsoft. They’d showcase their new and shiny Surface tablet and use the game in conferences around the US, like the big San Diego Comic-Con International event.

Our client said, “The backend is done. We only want you guys to build a 3D UI with WebGL.” It was a complex multiplayer game. We worked hard for months and created an outstanding game UI with state-of-the-art technology.

DevOps — are your servers pets, cows or ants?

By Anthony Figueroa • July 29, 2019 • 0 Comments

Evolving software platforms and their service needs can be compared to three types of animals that have increasing levels of autonomy and self-care.

The software platforms you create need a level of effort from you that changes as they become more complex. If you follow the agile process and make them increasingly automated, your platforms require less work as they evolve from one server, to many, to a server farm. To create a broad, relatable picture of what that changing effort looks like, this article compares the needs of each platform development level to three types of animals: pets, cows, and ant colonies.