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Coworking

A headshot of Tech Brew editor Annie Saunders

Annie Saunders

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Coworking is a weekly segment where we spotlight Tech Brew readers who work with emerging technologies.

How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in tech?

I lead a team of product managers who have to balance the needs of our users, both pros and homeowners, with business goals and technical constraints to decide what and how to build the best possible experience.

What’s the most compelling tech project you’ve worked on, and why?

We recently launched the biggest product update in Thumbtack’s history, which includes 30 new features that help homeowners care for and improve their homes. We discovered that homeowners were uncertain about how and where to start, which led them to procrastinate on home projects. To help them move past this uncertainty, the team completely redesigned the Thumbtack app experience, introducing features from personalized guides to project plans to AI search to DIY tools and more.

This new app is meant to simplify the process of homeownership and provide guidance on what projects to do, when to do them, and who to hire to get the most value out of your home. It was designed for today’s generation of digitally native homeowners who want to manage everything from their phones, but weren’t able to until now.

What technologies are you most optimistic about? Least? And why?

Can it be the same thing? As someone who studied computational linguistics many years ago, the last year with generative AI has been absolutely stunning. For years, I’d get questions about robots being able to take over what humans do and I’d laugh it off and tell people not to worry: The technology was nowhere close to replacing humans. My younger self would be blown away at how far (and fast) generative AI has come.

I truly believe we’ve only scratched the surface of what AI can do, and there are going to be incredible applications we haven’t even considered. That said, the pace of the technology is moving faster than societies, governments, and international bodies can, and I worry that, like all prior technologies, there will be upsides and downsides. In this case, I fear, as a society, we’re not even remotely ready to handle some of the downsides.

What’s the best tech-related media you read/watch/listen to?

I actually think it’s really important to read non-tech media as well, so that’s a lot of my consumption, but for tech-related media, I really enjoy listening to 

. It’s hosted by a former product manager, and the guests are often really impressive people discussing a variety of topics.

What’s something about you we can’t guess from your LinkedIn profile?

I’m a stubborn Android user. I started using a Nexus One 14 years ago and have never owned an iPhone. I have to endure endless trash-talking from my friends and colleagues, but throughout my career it’s also given me the chance to “

” the Android experience when most people working in tech only ever see the iOS experience.

What do you think about when you’re not thinking about tech?

Most of the important people in my life are 

 in tech (and arguably not interested in tech), so it really forces me to think about other things: world politics/travel (my husband), music (my mother), history/education (my brother), running/social justice/pop culture/literature (assorted friends), dragons and dinosaurs (my kids).

These are often the conversations that allow me to think more broadly and find inspiration for my work. Some of my biggest professional insights and breakthroughs have come from these conversations.

Graphic featuring a headshot of Thumbtack's Alexis Baird.

Coworking with Thumbtack’s Alexis Baird

The head of product experience at Thumbtack says the app is “designed for today’s generation of digitally native homeowners.”

Coworking: Alexis Baird helps make homeownership less onerous

As a principal data scientist, I manage the entire lifecycle of AI development by leading a team adept at transforming AI concepts into impactful business solutions. A typical day might look like analyzing video streams to ensure workforce safety in manufacturing, building an analytical platform that optimizes the supply chain from inventory management and demand prediction to customer operations, or constructing unique AI solutions to real organizational problems. From the moment you bring us an idea, we’re ready to guide you through the technological possibilities, brainstorm innovations, and meticulously construct a comprehensive solution. Our portfolio is rich with examples, from demand prediction models to generative AI tools for complex data analysis.

My job includes collaborating with industry giants like AWS and Google to harness advanced tools that make visions tangible through our creative solutions. My team doesn’t just build these systems; we also measure their real-world impact, ensuring they meet the challenges our clients face with accuracy, security, and ingenuity. My role in AI development entails leading the team with a clear vision, taking technical ownership of our projects, collaborating with partners to align our innovative efforts, and designing solutions that effectively tackle complex business challenges.

The projects I’ve been able to integrate AI into educational settings have been the most fulfilling experiences in my career field. With an assorted portfolio of AI-driven applications that directly aid students and educators, I often wish this capability and innovation had been available during my own school days.

AI capabilities enabling more intuitive advice for navigating potential career paths in school, as well as access to adaptive learning and personal coaching, would’ve made my educational journey less stressful and more efficient. These career-identifying tools and educational solutions are what we’re actively building today.

We are currently developing an application known as AYO, an innovative platform leveraging generative AI to make education effortless that assists school districts in several ways. One feature is the Family Activity Suggestions tool, which uses advanced algorithms combined with generative AI to generate personalized activity options for families and students aligned by the child’s individual skills, passions, geographical location, and unique schedules.

Activity types span across a broad spectrum, including workshops, sports, arts, music classes, science-related activities, local events, and more. All recommendations pass through a layer of human review for appropriateness and safety. As students gain confidence in their capabilities developed from the suggestions tool, they become eager to explore new areas of interest and develop new skills, leading to improved academic success. Educators benefit from better student performance, further amplifying the district’s educational outcomes.

Additionally, the tool includes another feature that can generate customized lesson plans, allowing teachers to devote more energy to engaging with students rather than extensive planning.

The challenge in these projects lies in the novelty of the AI technology and the responsibility we carry in creating content for young audiences. Hence, we pay significant attention to ethical considerations and the establishment of safety measures within the AI to make sure it’s a positive addition to the educational experience.

The realm of generative AI is where my optimism truly lies, which might not come as a surprise—it’s the talk of the town these days. We’ve all dabbled with large language models (LLMs) and have witnessed their impressive capabilities. However, what excites me the most is the evolution of the orchestration layer.

To illustrate, consider LLMs like ChatGPT a year ago; if you asked it to perform a multiplication problem, it would stumble, being more of a linguist than a mathematician. Now, it’s a different story. It adeptly generates code to compute the answer, leveraging its linguistic prowess since programming is, after all, a language.

This improvement signals a future where AI agents can seamlessly solve increasingly complex problems right out of the box. This includes integrating technologies for responsible AI, ensuring that our smart tools are not only efficient but also ethically designed and user-centric. It’s this kind of innovation that makes the field of AI so dynamic and promising.

I find great value in consuming content directly from the innovators shaping the industry. I regularly read blogs and watch videos produced by hyperscalers like AWS, Google, Nvidia, and Azure. They’re quite literally leading the world into the latest technological advancements while offering deep technical insights along the way, which appeals to me as someone who prioritizes the technical aspects of technology. For staying abreast of the latest AI and tech news, I turn to well-regarded media outlets like TechCrunch or Wired—and of course, Morning Brew newsletters like Tech Brew—to ensure I’m in the loop on broader industry trends and breakthroughs.

If I were to recommend a resource for tech enthusiasts, I’d point them to the teachings of 

. His ability to demystify complex concepts in AI and machine learning is unmatched and incredibly valuable to anyone interested in the field.

As a teen, I seamlessly blended my love for tech with a serious commitment to gymnastics and dance. This wasn’t a random hobby; it was a disciplined pursuit that almost steered my career path, underscoring my multifaceted approach to life and work. The same drive that had me tirelessly practicing leaps and spins also powered late-night coding sessions and meticulous project planning. In both arenas, whether nailing a complex routine or solving a tech puzzle, my mind was in overdrive, thriving on the challenge. This discipline has given me an edge in tech—a field where being unstoppable isn’t just an advantage; it’s a necessity.

When I’m not deep into tech, my mind drifts to the stunning diversity and beauty of our world. I’ve been fortunate to visit more than 60 countries, and there’s a strong desire within me to see at least 100 more. It’s this curiosity about different cultures, landscapes, and the sheer wonder of the planet that drives me to explore further.

My fascination with the tapestry of cultures has deeply enriched my life in the US. Since moving here, I’ve immersed myself in the mosaic of traditions, perspectives, and innovations that is uniquely American but reflects global influences. This cultural kaleidoscope has not only broadened my understanding but also infused my work in tech with a global sensibility that is invaluable.

Graphic featuring a headshot of Nataliya Polyakovska.

Coworking with SoftServe’s Nataliya Polyakovska

SoftServe’s principal AI technical consultant turns “AI concepts into impactful business solutions.”

Coworking: Nataliya Polyakovska aims to use AI to improve academic outcomes

First, I think it’s important to acknowledge that the definitions of technology and tech jobs are rapidly evolving. The classical tech and non-tech worlds are blurring at increasing speed and being driven by technology.

Fifteen years ago, I was inside the industry working with lean principles to create a more efficient and resilient supply chain, and today I do that same thing, but the impact and scale have completely changed. The ability to obtain, store, compute, and use data to drive decisions intelligently is now available and relevant to every business and every industry.

Fundamentally, my role as a leader in Deloitte’s Supply Chain and Operations practice is to help people who don’t have a classical tech background integrate the best technology into their day-to-day.

One of the ways I help companies build new solutions and strategies is by bringing them to Deloitte’s Smart Manufacturing experience center, 

, where they can view these solutions firsthand to understand in real time how emerging technology can benefit their organization. Our overall goal is to help them engineer advantage by delivering immediate business outcomes while building long-term organizational capabilities.

One of the most exciting projects I’ve recently tackled is at the intersection of technology, manufacturing, and sustainability. We’re working with a client to use next-generation energy technology solutions in conjunction with artificial intelligence to help them monitor emissions, reduce emissions, and create differentiated plant layouts to drive energy efficiency.

Manufacturing facilities account for the majority of most companies’ emissions—if organizations are not focused on reducing energy use, they won’t be able to move the needle on regulatory requirements, reduce their footprint, and meet their customers’ expectations for sustainable goods.

It would be hard not to mention generative AI. There has been such a breakthrough in this space, and many companies are wrestling with what investments to make, which processes need to change, how to govern/what protections need to be in place, and all sorts of other follow-on considerations. I am optimistic about this technology being effective, especially for maintenance engineers, as they are providing a service—to have generative AI in their ear, scraping a 1,000-plus page instruction manual will save time, money, and keep people safer in the process.

But also, there is an answer that includes, “I don’t know.” The velocity of emerging tech is so fast that the way we think about opportunities and solutions changes every six months. Part of what I do, while acknowledging the potential of something like generative AI, is taking a broad view and trying to focus on why something emerging may be of value to our clients.

What’s the best piece of tech-related media you’ve read/watched/listened to?

 since 2010, and—considering the advancements in AI over the past year—I have been finding several new outlets as well as podcasts to keep me current on how organizations and innovators are using the technology. I like 

 for more on-demand content about how different companies are investing in AI.

I’ve always enjoyed being active. I was a three-sport collegiate athlete; I played NCAA soccer, club rugby, and ran track, and I think it’s a big part of why I prefer working in teams and probably also where I get my competitive spirit.

I also love to experience what the world has to offer—I spent time living and working abroad in Dubai, India, and China, where I had the opportunity to diversify my own thinking and work style. It shaped how I approach working on global teams and personally made a huge impact on the person I am today.

I don’t think about tech itself often, or ever. Technology for technology’s sake hasn’t led to impactful outcomes. I like to think about the big problems we are trying to solve as a society and then how we apply technology to find solutions.

Graphic featuring a headshot of Deloitte Consulting’s Kelsey Carvell.

Coworking with Deloitte Consulting’s Kelsey Carvell

“The classical tech and non-tech worlds are blurring at increasing speed and being driven by technology.”

Coworking: Kelsey Carvell helps integrate emerging tech

There’s an expression that I like to use: It’s a bit like “walking in the valley of death while chewing on glass.” That gets at the gritty reality and the thrill of what we do at Mendel AI. On a more practical level, my job is finding ways to program machines to approximate the intricate thought processes of a doctor’s brain at scale. To achieve our goals, I surround myself with incredibly smart data scientists and clinical experts.

Our team, which is primarily based in the US, is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in healthcare AI. My job ‌is about fostering a culture of collaboration where every team member, regardless of their role, feels integral to the process. It’s about ensuring they see the value and purpose in their work, especially after months of developing and tweaking models. When these models finally start working, it’s a testament to the collective effort and a moment of validation for everyone involved.

The most compelling tech project I’ve worked on, without question, is Mendel AI.

We live in an era where we’re swimming in data but starving for information, as vast amounts of clinical data exist, yet extracting actionable insights remains a formidable challenge. This paradox was the catalyst for Mendel AI. Our goal is to develop a domain-specific AI capable of navigating the complexities of medical data, transforming it into clear and actionable insights. We are enabling a data-driven approach to healthcare that moves beyond the subjective opinions of physicians and integrates all the information we have on hand to make a robust recommendation.

Launching Mendel AI embodies the essence of using technology to solve real-world problems, reinforcing my passion for making a significant, positive difference in healthcare.

What really excites me is the fusion of machine learning and neural networks with symbolic AI. At Mendel, this coupling represents the best of both worlds, enabling us to leverage the strengths of each approach while compensating for their respective weaknesses. It’s like having a team where each player brings a unique skill set; together, they’re unstoppable. This hybrid model aligns closely with our ambition to mimic the complexity and versatility of the human brain in our AI systems.

On the flip side, I’m quite skeptical about approaches that rely solely on a single model, be it just machine learning, neural networks, or symbolic AI alone. After all, the human brain doesn’t operate on a single mode of thinking; it’s a marvel of arithmetic, intuitive, and emotional processing all at once. To create AI that truly mimics this multifaceted performance, we need a blend of technologies. A person who’s only logical or driven by emotion doesn’t represent the full spectrum of human intelligence.

Axios stands out for me primarily because of its unique “Why it matters” section. This concise format lets me grasp the essence of the story quickly without needing to delve into the full article unless I find something that piques my interest further. This feature is incredibly useful given the fast-paced nature of both technology and my day-to-day responsibilities.

I’m an avid kitesurfer. I’ve actually thought about taking this passion a step further by starting my own surf shop one day. While there are many great locations worldwide for kitesurfing, Egypt holds a special place in my heart. When I get to visit our Egypt team, I make sure to also get on the water and catch a few waves.

When I’m not thinking about technology, my thoughts often drift toward the future, regarding adaptation and social well-being, especially when I look at my kids. I remember when I was 5, dreaming about owning a CD player, and comparing it to now, where my iPhone, which is essentially a minicomputer, fulfills that role and more. It’s fascinating to think about how life will be for my children 20 years down the line.

I think about how people, my kids included, will navigate this ever-evolving landscape while preserving their social lives. It seems there’s an inverse relationship between technological advancement and social interaction; as one increases, the other tends to decrease. Given that health encompasses both physical and social well-being, this trend toward diminishing social interaction is concerning, so we need to consider how we’ll maintain our social health amid such rapid change. This balance between embracing innovation and preserving our social fabric is what occupies my thoughts outside the realm of technology.

Graphic featuring a headshot of Mendel AI’s Karim Galil.

Coworking with Mendel AI’s Karim Galil

“We live in an era where we’re swimming in data but starving for information,” the CEO and co-founder of the AI healthcare company said. 

Coworking: Karim Galil wants to use AI to create ‘a doctor’s brain at scale’

Coworking is a weekly segment where we spotlight Tech Brew readers who work with emerging technologies. We’re sunsetting Coworking at the end of May, so click 

 if you’d like a chance to be featured before then!

My favorite introduction was by a father telling his son, “Tara works with inventors!” That framing captures the magic of tinkering with an idea, and the partnerships I strive to build with bold founders building new businesses. More specifically, as a venture capitalist, I support early-stage startups with advice, capital, and resources. Day to day, I wear many hats, including investor, manager, researcher, board director, and advisor.

Our portfolio includes many teams building at the intersection of AI and industry applications. For example, Netradyne increases fleet safety with computer vision; PolyAI transformed the founders’ PhD work at Cambridge into customer-led voice assistants; Glyphic superpowers sales teams with generative AI; and Nexusflow’s technology was pioneered at the UC Berkeley AI Research Lab. Playing a small part in helping them succeed is incredibly rewarding.

Given Point72 Ventures’s dedication to domain expertise, I naturally gravitate toward vertical solutions over horizontal businesses. I believe generative AI is not only transforming technological possibilities but also disrupting business models—and thereby unlocking previously uncharted markets.

I’m incredibly optimistic when I’m speaking with the next generation of founders, who have ambitious visions to build nimble, enduring organizations while solving real-world problems.

I love the news—from current events in elementary school to studying public policy at Duke to following the markets as an equity trader at Morgan Stanley to investing in AI startups today. These days, I rely on a few major publications (WSJ, The Information, TechCrunch, Sifted, etc.), newsletters (Newcomer, Axios, StrictlyVC, TermSheet, etc.), and academic papers. For my daily walks, I take any and all podcast recommendations (

, etc.). Lastly, the greatest reading hack is 

, which offers e-books and audiobooks from your local library.

It’s been the people, not the places, that have driven my most rewarding professional experiences.

Mostly food. I can’t cook, but I appreciate those who can.		

Graphic featuring a headshot of Point72 Ventures partner Tara Stokes.

Coworking with Point72 Ventures’s Tara Stokes

The Point72 Ventures partner provides “advice, capital, and resources” to “teams building at the intersection of AI and industry applications.”

Coworking: Tara Stokes works to build businesses

Coworking is a weekly segment where we spotlight Tech Brew readers who work with emerging technologies. Click 

 if you’d like a chance to be featured.

Like many other CEOs, I wear various hats. Our jobs primarily come down to change management and problem-solving. We’re constantly navigating opportunities or challenges for the business, where we must always lead our teams through problem-solving and change based on what’s best for the company, our employees, and our customers.

As president and CEO of Clinical Effectiveness at Wolters Kluwer Health, I have the pleasure of working in a dynamic industry like healthcare, where I solve daily problems and lead our efforts to reduce care variability and provide the best care everywhere with assistive technologies. This includes software solutions that provide on-demand evidence-based clinical guidance for healthcare professionals and patient engagement built on our UpToDate medical content written and reviewed by more than 7,000 physician authors and section editors.

The most compelling tech project I’ve worked on is one we recently completed at Wolters Kluwer Health. We integrated our clinical decision support, drug reference, patient engagement, and drug data solutions to create a unified user experience for clinicians when working with patients. This was a major and important step in addressing the needs of healthcare systems and the growing diversity of where patients get care.

As healthcare systems nationwide struggle to navigate record-high staffing shortages and financial pressures, we focused not only on unifying the products but adding new features like self-service analytics and a testing and validation program for generative AI to deliver an interactive experience for clinicians and care teams that can help them get expert, succinct, evidence-based content even faster. It is one of my proudest accomplishments after 30 years of overseeing product development, engineering, and M&A.

I’m excited about large language models allowing us to develop software faster than ever and changing how we think about product development. We are entering an era of hyper-lean innovation, where tech companies must reinvent their operating models to remain agile in keeping up with emerging technologies, the ever-accelerating learning loop of LLMs, and, most importantly, customer feedback.

However, in healthcare, where I have spent most of my career, the stakes are exceptionally high. While there is clear value in marrying generative AI to healthcare, there needs to be necessary guardrails, security checklists, and short feedback loops to address and mitigate risks while ensuring products are developed responsibly from sources you can trust.

A hyper-lean innovation model like this, built on collaboration with your customers, is exactly what we need to transform industries. For example, we are piloting generative AI with our healthcare customers to deliver AI-synthesized treatment recommendations from our decision support solution—an assistive technology that helps clinicians diagnose and treat patients—to test and validate that it augments their ability to practice healthcare more efficiently and accurately.

I listen to a lot of podcasts, though I’ll admit it is at 1.5 speed. A few favorite podcasts of mine are 

, which sit at the intersection of technology, macroeconomic drivers, and politics. I also like 

 to dive into everything product development. For daily tech news, I like the 

 podcasts to keep updated on the latest tech happenings.

After receiving my engineering degree and MBA, one of my first jobs was in the music industry, overseeing mergers and acquisitions. I focused on buying record labels in niche genres like contemporary Christian and New Age music. It was a great experience for an amateur musician like myself, and I have many fond memories, but none beat seeing one of Frank Sinatra’s last live concerts.

I often think about how market disruption and emerging players will impact the healthcare industry. I’m optimistic that all this disruption has the potential to drive greater affordability, equity, and outcomes across the industry.

Graphic featuring a headshot of Wolters Kluwer Health’s ​​Greg Samios.

Coworking with Wolters Kluwer Health’s ​​Greg Samios

The president and CEO of Clinical Effectiveness at Wolters Kluwer Health works to “reduce care variability and provide the best care everywhere.”

Coworking: Greg Samios welcomes tech disruption in healthcare

As chief product officer, I lead the definition of Hinge Health’s product vision and strategy, software and hardware development, user experience design, and consumer marketing. My job is to work with a talented group of inventors, designers, clinicians, and technologists to build a product that puts a physical therapist in your pocket. Basically, we help people experiencing muscle or joint pain by connecting members with physical therapists and health coaches who help design a personalized program that is accessible from a phone.	

Beyond my work at Hinge Health, one of the most exciting projects I ever worked on was the invention, development, and mass-market success of Chromecast at Google. In addition to the product being innovative in terms of technology, simplicity, and user value, it was also the seed of Google’s consumer hardware business.

Like many of my friends and colleagues in the industry, I’m optimistic about AI and LLM-powered products. We’re at the beginning of this disruptive technology cycle, and we can already see the benefits it brings to user interface, broad applicability, ease to learn and implement, etc.

I’m most pessimistic about social media and its negative mental health impacts, especially among young people and, in particular, girls. A big part of the social media appeal is to compare oneself with others, and that’s a known source of unhappiness.

 multiple times a day, and my two favorite books are 

I love to travel for adventure, learning, and to have fun around the world. My wife and I have traveled extensively with our daughters from when they were young to now (they’re in their 20s!). We’ve explored safaris in South Africa, gone dog sledding in northern Sweden, dipped our feet in the Indian Ocean in Indonesia, explored the medina of Marrakesh, and even lived in London, Barcelona, and Stuttgart.

I occupy a lot of my cycles meditating or listening to history podcasts, especially while running, swimming, or biking. Some of my favorite podcasts are about the history of coffee, the development of the English language, the origin of dogs and their relationship with humans, and the story of the Wright brothers. 

Graphic featuring a headshot of Hinge Health's Mario Queiroz.