Episodes

  • Achievements, anecdotes and lessons learned from 50 years of developing software for amateur radio

    Achievements, anecdotes and lessons learned from 50 years of developing software for amateur radio
    Jan 15 2025

    Our AI team takes a deep dive into a presentation which recounts Dr. Joseph Kasser’s 50-year journey developing software for amateur radio using systems thinking. He details the evolution of the hobby, from its early inventive days with no commercial components to the incorporation of microcomputers and the internet. Key projects are highlighted, including contest automation software, satellite telemetry decoding programs, and advancements in digital communication modes. Challenges encountered, such as interface standardization and the need for robust testing methods, are discussed. Ultimately, the presentation emphasizes the educational and enjoyable aspects of software development within the context of amateur radio.
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    12 mins
  • The systems thinker’s toolbox

    The systems thinker’s toolbox
    Jan 14 2025

    The AI take a deep dive into “The systems thinker’s toolbox”, a book that offers over eighty tools and methodologies for managing complexity. These tools encompass various approaches, including Checkland’s Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) document, and mathematical techniques. The materials also explore paradigms for handling complexity, contrasting non-systems and systems approaches, and provide templates for document creation, idea generation, and problem formulation. Finally, the text presents the “Zone of Ambiguity,” a novel tool for data analysis in situations with limited sample sizes.
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    16 mins
  • TimeLine: On-time project delivery

    TimeLine: On-time project delivery
    Jan 13 2025

    The AI team take a deep dive into a booklet by Niels Malotaux which details the TimeLine technique, a project management method emphasizing iterative, small changes to improve project outcomes. It advocates for defining a clear project goal, prioritizing tasks based on value, and using just-enough estimation with frequent calibration. The TimeLine approach addresses potential project delays proactively, offering strategies to save time and avoid common pitfalls like adding personnel to a late project. The text also explores various estimation techniques, including a simplified Delphi method, and cautions against relying solely on estimation tools. Finally, it stresses the importance of preflection and preventing time waste.

    Access this booklet and much, much more, at https://www.malotaux.eu/?id=downloads

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    16 mins
  • The 87th Company, The Pioneer Corps: A mobile military Jewish community

    The 87th Company, The Pioneer Corps: A mobile military Jewish community
    Jan 9 2025
    The AI team take a deep dive into Joseph Kasser’s application of systems thinking to editing his father and teacher’s papers. His father, Moses Jakob Kasser, was a German-Jewish rabbi who served in the British Army’s 87th Company of the Alien Pioneer Corps during World War II. The book recounts Moses’s experiences as an unofficial chaplain to his unit, detailing his efforts to maintain Jewish religious life amidst the challenges of wartime service. It includes sermons, artwork, correspondence, and photographs, providing a rich historical and personal account. The text also explores themes of Jewish identity, education, and the importance of community, drawing on Kasser’s […]
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    35 mins
  • A case study on applying systems thinking to solve complex problems

    A case study on applying systems thinking to solve complex problems
    Jan 7 2025
    This podcast takes a deep dive into a case study presented online to a Serverless Toronto meeting on September 16, 2024. The autobiographical details Dr Kasser’s application of systems thinking to improve postgraduate systems and software engineering education. He describes eight systems thinking tools he developed and employed to address challenges in curriculum design and delivery, including benchmarking other universities’ programs. The case study tracks his iterative approach, evolving from traditional lectures to blended and online learning methods, emphasizing active learning and student engagement. Kasser highlights the resulting improvements in student learning and satisfaction, showcasing the effectiveness of his systems […]
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    24 mins
  • Applying systems thinking to the Ten Commandments

    Applying systems thinking to the Ten Commandments
    Jan 6 2025
    The AI team take a deep dive into Dr Kasser’s YouTube presentation which explores the Ten Commandments from a systems thinking perspective. The author questions the exact number of commandments, examining different interpretations of the biblical text in Exodus and Deuteronomy. A structural analysis is performed, breaking down each commandment into its components. Quantitative analysis is also applied, counting the commandments based on various criteria. Ultimately, the paper raises questions about the interpretation and application of the Ten Commandments in modern life. The analysis uses verses from Exodus, Deuteronomy, and Leviticus to support its arguments. The YouTube presentation may be found at https://youtu.be/3rDNaEqZ2os
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    13 mins
  • Thinking in systems: A primer

    Thinking in systems: A primer
    Jan 5 2025
    The AI team take a deep dive into Donella H. Meadows’ Thinking in Systems: A Primer. This is a posthumously published book that introduces systems thinking concepts to a broad audience. The book uses clear language and diagrams to explain system dynamics, including feedback loops, stocks and flows, and delays. It explores common system structures and behaviors, such as growth limits and policy resistance, offering insights into how to manage and redesign systems effectively. Meadows emphasizes the importance of understanding system structure to predict behavior and achieve desired outcomes. The book also includes examples from various fields, illustrating the universality of […]
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    26 mins
  • Is your AI quality good enough to save humanity?

    Is your AI quality good enough to save humanity?
    Jan 1 2025
    The AI team take a deep dive into Tom Gilb’s presentation to the BCS in July 2024 on AI quality which advocates for a multidimensional approach to evaluating AI systems, moving beyond vague descriptions. He argues that current AI models are defective due to inherent instability and a lack of transparency. Gilb proposes using quantifiable metrics for qualities like transparency and security, incorporating a stakeholder model for a more comprehensive understanding. The presentation emphasizes the need for measurable standards to assess AI systems effectively, contrasting Large Language Models (LLMs) with the potential of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). The presentation slides in pdf format may be downloaded from https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/u1fisxhd5cyrp7iij2i98/AAYYSATm4Yt40X0t8lEJdpQ?rlkey=3n4nn6077nig6gvo5qiuu0em8&dl=0
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    12 mins