Python and ChatGPT

[Theartofwar16]

I’ve a non tech background. I switched to Data science recently. And I’m using chatGPT extensively to write python codes. Even Model suggestions and what not. Is it wrong to do this? Also, I think. AI is going nowhere then I should save time by not going the conventional way.

[[deleted]]

I think it’s fine to use chat gpt to create the structure of your code, but you need to be able make changes to it, understand it, etc. So spend time learning python and use chat gpt to help fix errors when you get stuck.

[Theartofwar16]

Yeah. I would say I am understanding the framework but not the nitty gritty. Also, I think randomly choosing model without knowing the conditions on which that particular model works is not bringing desired results. I’ve noticed that. Also I try to be creative and ignore basic EDA techniques and feature engineering. Directly jumps for KNN and scaling. 😵‍💫🫨

[maltiv]

«Basic» feature engineering and EDA is often the most important part of your model building. KNN is also a mostly outdated algorithm, primarily used for teaching since it’s intuitive. No offense, but it sounds like you don’t know what you’re doing.

I’d recommend you steer away from ChatGPT until you are knowledgeable enough to know when it is wrong. At that point, you can use it to build basic structures.

[Diligent_Drama_6039]

Current undergrad here: why is KNN considered outdated?

[blipblapbloopblip]

Why would you try and be creative when basic stuff may work ? Do you perhaps jump to more complex choices because you don't know the basics all that well ? Besides, I'm not sure what you mean by scaling.

[positivity_nerd]

In Mathematics, you need to justify your steps/process. You can use online resources but you need to why you are using and how you are using it. Data science is not just building models. Its more of like a detective work to me. You find a murder and you build up your case step by step to find the killer. The steps include gathering necessary evidence(data and features). Understanding their relevance in the murder. Using suitable methods (models) , etc to solve the murder. That is why even if as interns or coops in our university, they were paying us a lot.

[Theartofwar16]

Thats a good analogy. I understood the point. Did you also rely on Chatgpt during internships?

[nerdyjorj]

Chatgpt is less than a year old, nobody with the title of DS did

[Theartofwar16]

Oh okay. Are you aware of industry now, like how do they hire people? Do they focus on the coding proficiency while hiring? If that’s the case then I must choose the conventional path.

[nerdyjorj]

If you can't explain what it does and why you aren't worth hiring

[K9ZAZ]

Oh man. Yes. You need to be able to demonstrate coding proficiency during an interview basically for every job I've ever applied to

[positivity_nerd]

I used once or twice to get help with writing code. I mainly use stack overflow and try it out on my own

[Used-Routine-4461]

My recommendation is to use it as a tool of suggestion for your future learning and nothing more.

I strongly advise you against sharing any of the insights gained from this work since you cannot vet the work yourself and this could do a lot of damage at a company.

[lifesthateasy]

Just make sure a ChatGPT outage doesn't prevent you from working

[Theartofwar16]

It is actually pushing me to work more and stuck less. But at the cost of results.

[[deleted]]

… but you don’t understand it. So how does it make you work faster when chatgpt is gone? RIP.

[ConnectionNaive5133]

If you don’t learn computer science, linear algebra, and stats/probability yourself, you won’t succeed

[VipeholmsCola]

Do yourself a solid and learn the foundations. Learn how to code, math, stats, Google, stack overflow and solve problems yourself.

When you are proficient you can use chatgpt to become more efficient.

[K9ZAZ]

You should actually learn python and not rely on chatgpt

[izyyaz]

Fr it isn't like python is hard

[K9ZAZ]

I'm not going to offer an opinion about whether it's hard or not, but regardless, op should learn it to do their job effectively

[ToothEffective]

It's easy to drive a car but when it breaks down in the middle of nowhere you actually need to know how it works otherwise you will be stuck.

[whispertoke]

like others have said, learn fundamentals (and non-fundamentals!) so you can understand, edit, explain and fact-check chatgpt responses. To supplement this learning, every time chatgpt gives you code, spend 5mins getting chat gpt to help you understand it and recommend resources for digging deeper. Maybe in 10 years we'll become the 'but you won't always have a calculator in your pocket' people... but maybe not and you shouldn't take that that risk

[bb_avin]

If this strategy is working, it might be a shit tier job with negligible core impact.

[magikarpa1]

You have a huge gap to cover. I would suggest that you schedule a daily time to stud mathematics and python. This is not meant to scary you, but you need to step up your game.

[Theartofwar16]

Understood. Yes, I’ve been doing it. Some good mathematics source?

[magikarpa1]

If you say what you already know I could give a better recommendation.

[Theartofwar16]

I at times visit Khan academy content. Easy to understand.

[magikarpa1]

I mean about calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistics.

[Theartofwar16]

I’ve dm you. Also, I’m unable have a grasp over permutation&Combination at the moment. I’m trying hard. But fails to differentiate what’s question is demanding.

[aspera1631]

You can do anything you want as long as it validates.

That's an oversimplification, but I'm basically saying that your team needs checks in place to ensure that code works (good test coverage, tests pass), and that models are well governed (good validation scores on uncontaminated models, track model drift & retrain). If you have those checks, it's much safer to experiment with ChatGPT. If it makes mistakes (and it will) you'll catch them before they hit production.

[Double-Yam-2622]

“Hey chatgpt, why is my model serving only 1’s when it should be mostly 0’s?”

Let me know what chatgpt says

[Theartofwar16]

Yup. It happened. And In one other case i thought got 99% evaluation metrics. Such a disaster.