Real-Time Forecasting Faceoff: Time Series vs. DNNs // Josh Xi // #305

Real-Time Forecasting Faceoff: Time Series vs. DNNs // Josh Xi // #305

Author: Demetrios April 11, 2025 Duration: 53:41

Real-Time Forecasting Faceoff: Time Series vs. DNNs // MLOps Podcast #305 with Josh Xi, Data Scientist at Lyft.


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// Abstract

In real-time forecasting (e.g., geohash level demand and supply forecast for an entire region), time series-based forecasting methods are widely adopted due to their simplicity and ease of training. This discussion explores how Lyft uses time series forecasting to respond to real-time market dynamics, covering practical tips and tricks for implementing these methods, an in-depth look at their adaptability for online re-training, and discussions on their interpretability and user intervention capabilities. By examining these topics, listeners will understand how time series forecasting can outperform DNNs and how to effectively use time series forecasting for dynamic market conditions and decision-making applications.


// Bio

Josh is a data scientist from the Marketplace team at Lyft, working on forecasting and modeling of marketplace signals that power products like pricing and driver incentives. Josh got his PHD in Operations Research in 2013, with minors in Statistics and Economics. Prior to joining Lyft, he worked as a research scientist in the Operations Research Lab at General Motors, focusing on optimization, simulation, and forecasting modeling related to vehicle manufacturing, supply chain, and car-sharing systems.


// Related Links

Website: https://www.lyft.com/

Real-Time Spatial Temporal Forecasting @ Lyft blog: https://eng.lyft.com/real-time-spatial-temporal-forecasting-lyft-fa90b3f3ec24


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Timestamps:

[00:00] Josh's preferred coffee

[00:23] Takeaways

[01:10] AI Process Deep Dive

[05:01] Event Data in Predictions

[11:01] External Data Challenges

[15:25] Time Series Foundational Models

[18:20] DNN Model Support Tradeoffs

[21:57] AR vs DNN for Timeseries

[26:49] Model Retraining Strategies

[31:30] Model Selection vs Averaging

[38:20] Model Testing Strategies

[43:00] Spatial Data Correlation Issues

[49:21] Root-Cause vs Business as Usual

[52:22] Wrap up


Hosted by Demetrios, MLOps.community is a space for honest, meandering talks about the real work of making artificial intelligence systems actually work. This isn't about hype or theoretical papers; it's about the messy, practical, and often surprising journey of taking models from a notebook into a live environment. You'll hear from engineers and practitioners who are in the trenches, discussing the tools, the frustrations, and the occasional breakthroughs that define the day-to-day. The conversations are deliberately relaxed, covering everything from traditional machine learning pipelines to the new world of large language models and even the intangible "vibes" of team culture and process. Each episode peels back a layer on what "production" really means, whether that involves deploying a predictive service, managing an agentic system, or maintaining reliability as everything scales. Tuning into this podcast feels like grabbing a coffee with colleagues who aren't afraid to dig into the technical nitty-gritty while keeping the tone conversational and accessible. It's for anyone who builds, manages, or is just curious about the operational backbone that allows AI to deliver value, offering a grounded perspective often missing from the broader conversation.
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