At present’s submit is all about Akhil Raju, a software program engineer on the robotics staff. We initially met Akhil in season two of DeepMind: The Podcast, however we wished to get to know him higher and listen to extra about his path to DeepMind.
What sparked your curiosity in synthetic intelligence (AI)?
After I was younger, I considered AI in the identical manner I considered magic. Sure, I wished to hang around with R2-D2 and Optimus Prime – however I additionally wished to go to Hogwarts. That was till I turned 12 and began taking part in LEGO robotics competitions. At that second, I realized that robots weren’t a fantasy or one thing that would solely exist within the far future, however slightly one thing that might be created within the current. Additionally, it seems that taking part in with robots is extremely enjoyable.
What got here subsequent?
Quite a bit! From there I continued with robotics competitions, began college at MIT, and spent a number of time finding out laptop science with a give attention to robotics. After commencement, I utterly pivoted away from the sector and joined a startup in San Francisco for a number of years earlier than shifting to Google.
It was nice however I might all the time wished to stay overseas so I began taking a look at alternatives outdoors the US. At that time, I made a decision to maneuver to London and set my sights on DeepMind. I really didn’t assume DeepMind employed folks with out PhDs, however I gave it a shot and it labored out!
As a result of I used to be doing a switch from Google to DeepMind, I used to be in a position to apply to a number of groups on the identical time. The robotics staff wasn’t on my radar till my recruiter requested me, “By the way in which, you might have bits of robotics in your resume. Have you considered becoming a member of our robotics staff?” I bit on the alternative. And actually, it’s been wonderful ever since.
Are you able to stroll us by means of a typical day? What’s your schedule like?
Each morning I head into the workplace for breakfast, the place with out fail, my teammates already are. It’s develop into part of our every day routine to have breakfast collectively earlier than leaping into our work.
I spend most mornings within the robotics lab, fixing failures from earlier experiments or establishing new robots. Even when there’s not a lot to be executed, I get power from simply strolling round and seeing our robots at work, listening to the hum of the machines and motors. We’ve grown rather a lot over the previous few years, and you may really feel it whereas strolling round our house.
My afternoons are a mixture of conferences, coding and – now that most individuals are again within the workplace – an impromptu chat or two. That’s considered one of my favorite elements of being within the workplace – the random catch-ups and whiteboard periods that assist me study and transfer rapidly. From there I’ll take a fast snack break, and if the climate is sweet, head to the balcony to atone for a few of my favorite US sports activities podcasts (I nonetheless haven’t made the change from soccer to soccer). Then I’ll code a short while longer.
What’s it like behind the scenes at DeepMind?
The tradition at DeepMind is without doubt one of the greatest elements of being right here. From my perspective, we’ve discovered a pleasant stability between a college, start-up, and huge firm. Many of the work tradition comes from the primary two.
It’s commonplace to search out folks brainstorming in entrance of whiteboards with maths scrawled throughout it, or somebody tucked away in a quiet nook studying the newest analysis papers. Much like a start-up, there’s a palpable power all through – you’ll be able to really really feel everybody’s pleasure.
It could be cliché, however whenever you love what you do it does not really feel like work. The robotics staff is a miniature model of all of this, with the bonus that many people are shut buddies outdoors of labor, too. It’s good.
How was working from dwelling throughout the pandemic?
Like most individuals, I spent the primary month of the pandemic in disbelief, assuming we’d be again to regular quickly. Nearly all of our conferences and collaborations moved on-line which was an attention-grabbing expertise for our staff particularly.
As soon as the realisation set in that we had been on this for the lengthy haul, I made a decision to spend my new-found free time to raised myself. I attempted a bunch of hobbies – lengthy sufficient in every case to say I’d tried it, however not lengthy sufficient for something to stay. I had my guitar part, a cooking part, and even a puzzle part, however my favorite was the tie-dye part. There have been a number of weeks the place I tie-dyed the whole lot, from shirts to shorts to socks, and now they sit on the backside of my closet (the place they actually belong).
What sort of optimistic impression are you hoping AI can have on the world?
I really feel fortunate to be at DeepMind and to have the ability to give attention to the work that I do. Robotics – and AI normally – can be a optimistic power on the planet, and it’s thrilling to have the ability to assist transfer that ahead.
On the entire, I’m significantly all for seeing how AI may also help mitigate local weather change – whether or not that’s by discovering methods to make use of power extra effectively, or enabling us to provide clear power. Researchers at DeepMind are already occupied with this, so I’m hopeful that we’ll be capable of transfer the world ahead and make an impression on this house.
Any ideas for aspiring DeepMinders? Or somebody trying to get into the same position?
If you wish to be at DeepMind, go for it. Apply, interview, and simply strive. You won’t get it the primary time however that doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t strive once more. I didn’t assume I might get a job at DeepMind, and once I acquired the provide, my preliminary thought was – certainly it is a mistake! Everybody doubts themselves – I’ve by no means felt like the neatest particular person within the room. I’ve typically felt the other. However I’ve realized that, regardless of these emotions, I do belong and I do need to work at a spot like this. And that journey, for me, began with simply attempting.
Study extra about robotics at DeepMind and seek for open roles right now
