S05E03 - How will we learn things?

S05E03 - How will we learn things?

Author: Half Stack Data Science July 26, 2026 Duration: 59:52

In this episode, we tackle the question of learning in the age of AI.

Among other things, we talked about:

  • whether worrying about AI is the same as worrying about calculators
  • why David gets all his students to turn AI features off while learning
  • why rising token prices might end up being a great thing
  • whether AI slop is worse than human slop
  • what we can learn from sailing as we think about our future in an AI world


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A reminder that David’s book, The Well-Grounded Data Analyst is out! ⁠⁠https://www.manning.com/books/the-well-grounded-data-analyst⁠⁠

If you want to find out more, we have a whole episode about it: ⁠https://halfstackdatascience.com/s3-finale-the-well-grounded-data-analyst-with-david-asboth


Hosted by David Asboth and Shaun McGirr, Half Stack Data Science pulls back the curtain on what it really means to build and deploy data science within large organizations. This isn't a theoretical discussion of algorithms, but a grounded conversation about the messy, human, and often political challenges that define the field in an enterprise setting. Each episode delves into the practical hurdles-from managing stakeholder expectations and navigating legacy systems to communicating value and dealing with imperfect data. You'll hear candid reflections on projects that succeeded and those that didn't, offering a rare, unvarnished look at the day-to-day work beyond the hype. The Half Stack Data Science podcast is for practitioners who want to move beyond textbook examples and for leaders seeking to understand how to foster effective data teams. It’s a dialogue focused on the tools, processes, and soft skills necessary to deliver impact, making it an essential listen for anyone navigating the complex intersection of data, technology, and business reality. Tune in for honest talk about building things that actually work.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 33

Half Stack Data Science
Podcast Episodes
002: The Insight Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:26
In the second episode of the Half Stack Data Science podcast, David and Shaun talk about the strategy companies can employ to become more data-driven, using what they call "the Insight Journey".
001: What is Half Stack Data Science? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:37
In the first episode of the Half Stack Data Science, David Asboth and Dr. Shaun McGirr answer the question "what is Half Stack Data Science"?