Process Notes

CeremonyLM:
A Community Language Model

KEY WORDS:

data, python, learning curve, starting, language, grasping, qualitative data, code, understand, evaluations, language processing, excited, route, science, feel, build, quantitative, neural networks, training

This reflection was from June 25, 2024.

From Research is Ceremony by Shawn Wilson

Katie Sullivan is expressing her feelings about starting a machine learning course, highlighting her impatience with the learning curve and the complexity of the subject matter. She is determined to understand the underlying code and the language used in machine learning, rather than just using pre-built solutions. Katie acknowledges the challenge of returning to data science and probability, which she found difficult in university. She is excited about the practical aspects of machine learning, such as data preprocessing and modeling, and is particularly looking forward to neural networks and language processing. Katie is aware of the tension between quantitative and qualitative data and the importance of focusing on specific areas of learning. She is also reflecting on the ambitious nature of her project, as noted by those who supported her grant, and is reminding herself of the value of the learning process over the outcome, despite feeling like an imposter at times.

Starting Machine Learning Journey

• Katie Sullivan expresses her impatience with the learning curve of machine learning, emphasizing the interconnected nature of the concepts.
• She mentions her desire to build specific projects but acknowledges the importance of understanding the foundational code and what the model is being asked to do.
• Katie is starting with the basics of machine learning, including Python and R, and learning about training and test sets.
• She plans to delve into data science and probability, which was a challenging course for her in university, to better understand the concepts.

Challenges and Excitement in Data Science

• Katie discusses the difficulty of data pre-processing, modeling, and making predictions, which she finds exciting.
• She is particularly looking forward to working with neural networks and language processing, where the focus shifts from numbers to words.
• Katie feels a tension between quantitative and qualitative data, reflecting on the value of different types of data.
• She acknowledges the need to be specific about what she wants to learn and focus on grasping the essential concepts.

Reflections on Learning and Ambition

• Katie recalls the advice she received when asking for letters of support for a grant, highlighting the ambitious nature of her project.

• She emphasizes the importance of the process over the outcome, reminding herself that learning is the goal.

• Katie acknowledges the imposter syndrome she feels, questioning her depth of knowledge and place in the field.

• She expresses excitement about working through these challenges and learning new skills.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

Ceremony is a web platform that hosts an evolving catalogue of community conversations. The content is designed to bring together works by both professional and emerging artists. This project will build a live language model with the catalogue, allowing readers to participate in the creation of art via an interface designed with equity and accessibility in mind. The project aims to democratize digital tools, increase digital and data literacy through discussion, and pave the way for other creative and accessible AI applications within the artistic community.