Machine Learning & Social Impact: How Mentorship Led to Being at the Forefront of AI Development

Jonathan Hu is a past Porte mentee who just completed his Masters Program in Computer Science at Cornell. In undergrad, Jonathan also graduated 2 years early with a dual degree in Business Administration & Computer Science at the University of British Columbia.

While in school, he organized a successful UBC activation for Cars & Hoops - a supercar and basketball showcase - to fundraise to support children with end-of-life illnesses.

“Machine learning, AI, and natural language processing.” Explain your academic focus. What have you learnt and where do you see yourself in the next few years?"

I've always been fascinated by the potential of artificial intelligence. AI has become a buzzword, often thrown around in conversations about the future of technology. Yet, I've noticed that many people don't really understand what AI truly entails.

I'm determined to be at the forefront of AI development by helping shape its development and direction.

At Cornell, I did a deep dive in natural language processing. My master’s thesis focused on enhancing the retrieval and generative abilities of language models like ChatGPT. Without diving into the complexities, I basically train language models to predict the next best words based on different inputs.

It’s been incredible brainstorming with my peers and working with top leaders from Cornell, MIT, and Berkeley. Although my program officially finishes in September, my excitement only grows. I’m eager to step into the industry, apply my knowledge to build solutions in the real world, and push the boundaries of what AI can achieve.

You graduated 2 years early with the Business + Computer Science Dual Degree at UBC. In that time, you were doing a software engineering internship at Amazon, and also organized a really meaningful social impact event.

In your experience, what are soft skills that have been the most helpful to your success?

The three most crucial skills to my success have been clear communication, openness to new things, and adaptability. Clear communication has been so vital. I was lucky enough to complete a dual degree in Business and Computer Science which really trains you on how to bridge the gap between technical and business disciplines. Even at Amazon as an intern, I had to convey many technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Now, at Cornell, I’ve been able to create stronger connections with both my peers and professors since I can present complex concepts clearly.

More than communication, though, I’d definitely say my openness has been the cornerstone of my success. Making the decision to graduate early, choosing to pursue a Masters before I had experienced working in the industry - many of my choices have been unconventional.

Hand-in-hand with being open is being adaptable. On my journey, I’ve had to balance being in a rigorous academic program, taking on a high-intensity internship, organizing a social impact event, while still constantly thinking about what I can do next. I’m doing so many new things all the time, but it has let me discover and experience so much more than others at my age

What are the different ways that mentorship has inspired and helped you in your journey?"

The biggest way mentorship has shaped my journey is giving me a safety net so that I’m not afraid to start new things. I remember the first time I organized a fundraising event on UBC campus for Cars & Hoops - a non-profit organization which supports Canuck Place, a hospice for children with end-of-life illnesses. I remember my Porte mentors being right by my side throughout the process of organizing the event. Without their support and encouragement, I wouldn't have dared to take on such a challenge, let alone make it a success.

When I realized I wanted to explore a future in software and AI, it was my mentors that recommended a path to Cornell. I remember feeling frustrated when I realized there weren’t that many opportunities in software in Vancouver.

It was my mentors who set my sights on something bigger – Cornell. Using Porte's global networks, I spoke to other tech professionals in the Bay Area and Ithaca. The decision was a game-changer. Cornell not only offered me the academic rigour I craved but also broadened my vision of what was possible.

I continue to build on the foundation laid by my mentors and friends. The exposure to new ideas, cutting-edge technology, and a vibrant academic community has been exhilarating. My experiences there were transformative, shaping my career aspirations and personal growth in ways I never imagined.

My journey is a testament to the power of community and the incredible impact of surrounding yourself with the right people.