Clock speed

MIX is an acronym for Machine Intelligence X. “We want to embrace a machine first approach”, says Ali, our number one AI guy and the CEO for Combient MIX. “Because if it’s something that machines can do, then humans are too valuable to be doing that work.”

The term AI has a lot of meanings in the public knowledge, and is overused, Ali argues. “While machine intelligence, or MI, is literally about putting intelligence into your ‘machinery’, and by that, I mean your entire company.”

What used to be referred to as ACE, the Analytics Center of Excellence, now plans to triple in size in the course of a year. Ali describes how clock speed is the number one difference between ACE and MIX, as it will make a huge difference in capacity. “ACE had data science as a core, that was our one and only thing. We could deliver the best in class machine learning models but we could not make sure the companies could make real use of that, or that they were ready to do so, or that the organization was educated enough. So the breadth is changing in terms of for example data, infrastructure and organizational literacy.”

If “data is the new oil” (a metaphor that none of us really like), then ACE had the capacity to identify deep oil reserves, Ali explains. “Now, to extract the oil, we need to build an oil rig, and tankers to ship it. That’s what we’re equipping ourselves to do.”

The difference making

Apart from world-class data scientists, Combient MIX is calling for experts in change management, software engineering, architecture, robotics and education to name some. “We need, or actually we’re already getting, people who can help us scale through a holistic approach.”

Ali often talks about getting that top 1% talent. He describes MIT’s motivational research on intellectual work, suggesting that autonomy, mastery, and purpose are the three things attracting people to a workplace. “People with intellectual skills and lots of options do not gravitate towards money, but challenging decisions, clear purpose, and getting better at what they do. Now, being a small team with a big task while working together to grow as individuals, we’re uniquely positioned to offer this.”

The X

“The X is the most important letter in the mix. It’s about being in the intersection - of the industry, of technologies and companies - as well as building from Combient’s cross-collaboration platform, making sure to incorporate everyone’s knowledge at once rather than testing with one company at a time”, Ali explains.

X also stands for experience. “It’s about the companies getting a good experience with AI, understanding it, and implementing it successfully, rather than pouring money into something they’re not sure of.”

Ali says that the ultimate goal is to create an experience that prevents another AI winter. “This actually brings up the fourth dimension, which is the value extractor.”

It’s about making sure value is captured across all the companies. “Because if they don’t see the value in AI, short term or long term, they’ll probably not invest in it, while the Googles, Amazons and startups of the world are. The winter will never happen for the tech sector or China, this would be a local winter.”

Perhaps most importantly, the X represents the multiplier to a more holistic approach. “‘The AI that makes a difference’ is our purpose, and technology is only a small piece of the puzzle.” Rather, it’s about balancing the forces of economy, society, business, technology, ethics, and sustainability. “And staying on top of these”, Ali says.

He gives an example from a conversation with Yuval Noah Harari called the edge of humanity. ”We will live in a machine first world. There are already philosophical discussions around whether, in the future, it should actually be illegal to have human drivers and doctors. But if machines become more valuable than humans, then who will the society and economy value most? That’s where ethics comes in.”

Family, People, Unis

When Ali talks about why Combient MIX is uniquely positioned to take on this gigantic mission, he mentions three things. “Number one; the fact that we have access to the network. We’re part of the family, the trusted, cross-industry network where there’s already a huge leap forward towards co-creation, and making things happen together.”

“The other important pillar in my head” he continues, “is, we’ve already proven we can get the people who can make this difference. Case in point, the MIX team.”

“Thirdly, because of the network, we also have a better model for close and concrete collaboration with universities than any other organization in the Nordics, or maybe even in Europe.”

As an example, Combient MIX has partnered with Uppsala University in building a competence centre. The centre will develop master thesis projects, joint applied research and PhD programs, as well as a Data Science apprenticeship program for PhD students - the latter designed to help students meet the challenges faced in the industry and to support talent in getting ready to work outside academia. The idea is also to have an on-campus presence by Combient MIX experts to collaborate with students and faculty. “Ultimately, MIX plans to expand this model using the learnings from the partnership with Uppsala University to other Nordic universities”, Ali explains.

But first is launching Combient MIX at Gaia in early April. “Gaia is shaping up to become what Slush is for startups in Nordics, but for AI and data science in Sweden.”

In parallel, Ali and his team are now starting to form concrete work streams focused on delivering. Coming back to the clock speed, he concludes saying that “to me, it’s action time.”

About

Combient MIX is a data science company focusing on making a difference with machine intelligence. We have a fast growing, highly skilled tech team.  As part of the Nordic's leading cross-industry network, Combient, we’re uniquely positioned to drive the change.