Thank You, Jeff Tumlin

Taken with Transportation

MP3•Pagina principale dell'episodio

1:14:43

Artificial intelligence is evolving at an unprecedented pace—what does that mean for the future of technology, venture capital, business, and even our understanding of ourselves? Award-winning journalist and writer Anil Ananthaswamy joins us for our latest episode to discuss his latest book Why Machines Learn: The Elegant Math Behind Modern AI . Anil helps us explore the journey and many breakthroughs that have propelled machine learning from simple perceptrons to the sophisticated algorithms shaping today’s AI revolution, powering GPT and other models. The discussion aims to demystify some of the underlying mathematical concepts that power modern machine learning, to help everyone grasp this technology impacting our lives–even if your last math class was in high school. Anil walks us through the power of scaling laws, the shift from training to inference optimization, and the debate among AI’s pioneers about the road to AGI—should we be concerned, or are we still missing key pieces of the puzzle? The conversation also delves into AI’s philosophical implications—could understanding how machines learn help us better understand ourselves? And what challenges remain before AI systems can truly operate with agency? If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Sign up for our newsletter at techsurgepodcast.com for exclusive insights and updates on upcoming TechSurge Live Summits. Links: Read Why Machines Learn, Anil’s latest book on the math behind AI https://www.amazon.com/Why-Machines-Learn-Elegant-Behind/dp/0593185749 Learn more about Anil Ananthaswamy’s work and writing https://anilananthaswamy.com/ Watch Anil Ananthaswamy’s TED Talk on AI and intelligence https://www.ted.com/speakers/anil_ananthaswamy Discover the MIT Knight Science Journalism Fellowship that shaped Anil’s AI research https://ksj.mit.edu/ Understand the Perceptron, the foundation of neural networks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perceptron Read about the Perceptron Convergence Theorem and its significance https://www.nature.com/articles/323533a0…

circa un anno fa 15:29

It’s a new year, and in our first episode of 2025, we take a look at the tenure of San Francisco Director of Transportation Jeff Tumlin. Director Tumlin announced in mid-December that he would step down from his position at the end of the month. We spend this episode speaking with him about his five years with the SFMTA and with other agency staffers about working with him.

26 episodi

#Society #Travel #Government #Melissa Culross

Thank You, Jeff Tumlin

Taken with Transportation

published circa un anno fa

MP3•Pagina principale dell'episodio

26 episodi

#Society #Travel #Government #Melissa Culross

All episodes

1
Our Fare Share 14:10

4 weeks fa14:10

14:10

Thousands of people in San Francisco depend on Muni to get where they need to go. And the SFMTA depends on fare revenue to keep the system running and to keep it clean, safe and accessible. In this episode, we talk about fare compliance and enforcement on Muni. Revenue Operations Senior Manager Diana Hammons and Chief Strategy Officer Jonathan Rewers discuss why fares are important and how they fit into our overall budget. We then follow a team of transit fare inspectors as they work to make sure our riders are paying properly.…

1
Thank You, Jeff Tumlin 15:29

9 weeks fa15:29

15:29

1
Keeping Warm at SweaterFest (Bonus Episode) 6:04

11 weeks fa6:04

6:04

It’s the holiday season, and in this bonus episode, we’re going back to our SweaterFest celebration. In early December we threw a party for Muni fans and the community at large in honor of our “Icons of San Francisco” holiday sweater. We sipped hot chocolate, enjoyed music and comedy, wrote haikus about Muni, and embraced the joy of San Francisco and its transportation system. So, grab some nog and join us for a dose of good cheer!…

1
Mobility for Everyone 15:35

12 weeks fa15:35

15:35

Sometimes people may not be able to use standard Muni and taxi service in San Francisco. So, we offer a variety of options from paratransit to shuttle services that help older adults and people with disabilities get where they need to go. In this episode, you’ll learn how we customize and administer these options. San Francisco Paratransit Operations General Manager Yevette McNeese, SFMTA Mobility Management Center Manager Catherine Callahan and Mobility Management Specialist Aurico Daga are featured, as are several city residents.…

1
Riding into the Sunset (The L Taraval Returns) 16:59

15 weeks fa16:59

16:59

Welcome back to the Sunset District, L Taraval! For several years, light rail service along the L Taraval line between the San Francisco Zoo and downtown was suspended while the SFMTA worked with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and Public Works on a major track replacement and water and sewer project. That project is now done, and along with the infrastructure upgrades, we made many safety improvements along the line. In this episode of Taken with Transportation, we spend time on Taraval Street talking to residents and merchants about what the return of the L Taraval means to them and for the neighborhood. We also speak with SFMTA Transit Priority Manager Michael Rhodes, L Taraval Improvement Project Manager Keanway Kyi, Muni Operator Tammi Bedford and San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio.…

1
Moving Forward on Muni 20:57

22 weeks fa20:57

20:57

Ten years ago, we began implementing an ongoing series of transit improvements as part of a new program called Muni Forward. These improvements have made Muni faster, more reliable, more frequent, easier to access and safer. In this episode, we celebrate Muni Forward. We learn about history of the program and some of the specific improvements we've made. We speak with SFMTA Transit Director Julie Kirschbaum, Muni Chief Planning and Implementation Officer Sean Kennedy, Transit Priority Manager Michael Rhodes and Transit Engineering Team Manager Cheryl Liu. We also hear from riders and a small business owner who discuss their experiences with Muni.…

1
Ahoy! 16:31

27 weeks fa16:31

16:31

September is Transit Month in the Bay Area. And we’re celebrating on board Muni’s Boat Tram open air streetcar. In this episode we discuss the beloved 90-year-old boat’s history and how we maintain it. Plus, we talk about the joy it brings to the streets of San Fransico. SFMTA Director of Transportation Jeff Tumlin, Board Member Dominica Henderson, Muni Historic Fleet Superintendent Kevin Sheridan and Muni Operator David Gunter appear in the episode. We also speak with Market Street Railway President Rick Laubscher, SFMTA Citizens Advisory Council Vice Chair Chris Arvin and SFCTA Community Advisory Committee Chair Kat Siegal.…

1
Slowing Down and Getting to Know the Neighborhood 19:22

29 weeks fa19:22

19:22

San Francisco’s Slow Streets are low-vehicle-traffic residential corridors. They provide comfortable options for walking, biking and rolling, as well as driving. But some of them also have become community spaces that bring neighbors together. In this episode, we take a look at a few of the ways San Francisco residents are embracing their Slow Streets. We speak with SFMTA Transportation Planner Julia Malmo and Analyst Elijah Enis. They talk about the Slow Streets Mural Pilot Program. Slow Street Stewards Tim Hickey and Molly Hayden also appear in the episode. So does Zaid Zayouna, the founder and creator of Slow Street Coffee.…

1
Scooting Safely 15:38

34 weeks fa15:38

15:38

An increasingly popular way to get around San Francisco is by scooter. This includes shared scooters that riders pick up in one place, use for a fee and then drop off when they’re done. The SFMTA regulates the companies that rent those scooters. We also promote scooter safety for all riders. In this episode, we discuss scooter safety with Kate Toran, Philip Cranna and Danny Yeung from our Taxis, Access and Mobility Services Division. We also go out with Inspector Peter Woods on safety enforcement patrol. And we check in with the Mayor’s Office on Disability to talk about how they work with us on scooter safety.…

1
About Town with Our CFO 17:26

37 weeks fa17:26

17:26

In this episode of Taken with Transportation, we speak with SFMTA Chief Financial Officer Bree Mawhorter. We talk about the agency's budget and how more efficient service can save money. Plus, we take a little transportation tour with Mawhorter and discuss the many ways she gets around town.

1
A Safe and Fun School Commute 12:26

42 weeks fa12:26

12:26

The road to school should always be a safe one, and it also can be a fun one. The San Francisco Safe Routes to School program works to make walking, biking, rolling, and taking transit to school safer and more accessible for all SF kids. In this episode, we speak with SFMTA Safe Routes to School Program Coordinator Crysta Highfield and Transportation Planner Ben Frazier about their work on the program, along with San Francisco Bicycle Coalition Safe Routes to School Program Manager Kenny Kruse. We also attend a couple of Bike and Roll to School Week events where we have a chance to talk to elementary school commuters and their parents. Plus, we hear from San Francisco Supervisors Rafael Mandelman and Myrna Melgar, as well as Dolores Huerta Elementary School Principal Edward Garnica. And finally, we learn what a bike blender is and get to see it in action.…

1
Keeping the Vision 19:04

47 weeks fa19:04

19:04

In late-March 2014, San Francisco adopted Vision Zero, the road safety policy to eliminate traffic deaths and reduce severe injuries in the city. This episode of Taken with Transportation looks at the impact of that policy and what has changed over the last decade. We discuss the origins of Vision Zero, as well as the work the SFMTA is doing today and will do into the future to make San Francisco streets safe and joyful. Appearing in the episode are SFMTA Director of Transportation Jeff Tumlin, Board of Directors Chair Amanda Eaken, City Traffic Engineer Ricardo Olea, former Streets Director Tom Maguire and former Director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health's Heath, Equity and Sustainability Program Megan Weir.…

1
Paint, Paper, Metal and Machines 18:33

50 weeks fa18:33

18:33

There are things on our streets that we probably take for granted but most definitely help us move around cities safely and efficiently. We’re talking about street signs, street markings and parking meters. In San Francisco, the SFMTA Street Operations shops handle the signs, street painting and meters we depend on, whether we are getting around by walking, driving, cycling or scooting. In this episode of Taken with Transportation, we pay a visit to those shops and speak with Traffic Paint Shop Supervisor Brian McBride, Meter Shop Manager Tony Massetti, Temporary Sign Program Manager Gretchen Rude and Traffic Sign Shop Manager Noel Laffey. We also get a chance to talk to Thermoplastic Crew Six lead Jarrett Laws and Traffic Sign Installer Patrick Rose as they are on the job.…

1
How to Muni 13:48

1 year fa13:48

13:48

If you're new to San Francisco Muni, using it can feel overwhelming at first. Well, don't worry. Whether you've just moved to the city, are planning to visit and don't want to rent a car or have lived here for some time but haven't taken advantage of all Muni has to offer, we at Taken with Transportation have your back. In this episode, we offer a practical how-to guide for getting around on Muni. Host Melissa Culross speaks with SFMTA Senior Manager of Revenue Collection and Sales Diana Hammons, operators Lynnette Richie and Arnold Gray, station agent Rigo Ortega and Deputy Chief Security Officer Teresa Scism to go over all the ins and outs of the system from how to pay your fare to how to be a courteous passenger. A couple of regular riders even share their experience on Muni and offer a bit of advice.…

1
Breaking Glass Ceilings Halfway to the Stars 12:52

1 year fa12:52