David Pereira
Global Head of Data & AI at SEIDOR
For the second interview in our maker series, I'm talking with David Pereira, someone whose perspective on technology I've valued for years. With over two decades in the field, David has become a reference in data and AI, combining deep technical knowledge with a rare ability to see where the industry is heading.
Currently the global Head of Data & AI at SEIDOR, David also teaches AI at several digital business schools and spends his time exploring and writing about emerging technologies. He's one of the sharpest people I know in this space, and his insights on how AI is transforming not just what we build, but how we think about building, are essential reading for anyone creating with these tools.
Tell us who you are and what you're working on right now.
I am David Pereira. I currently work as the global Head of Data & AI at SEIDOR. Apart from my main job, I spend time playing and learning and writing about new tech and also teaching AI in several digital business schools.
What's your first memory of building something — could be code, a project, anything — and what drew you in?
This one is funny. I remember getting my first PC when I was 9. I had no idea of coding and I thought the way to interact with my good old AMSTRAD was through natural language. I remember literally typing with my keyboard telling the computer to "remember some data, as I would ask about it tomorrow."
It's funny how wrong I was at the time, how I laughed about this when I actually learned to code, and how after 30+ years, this is now the way we do a lot of stuff with computers.
How has AI changed how you work or build things?
AI is allowing me to actually build things. I always have lots of ideas on how to solve personal life and work problems related to how processes are solved, but I did not have the time (and let's be clear, neither updated coding skills) to turn those ideas into something useful.
Now, I can actually build solutions. AI has definitely amplified my agency.
What's something you're curious about or excited to explore next?
I would love to start an online side business. I have always thought about it, but now it is definitely the best of times to actually try and build things.
What's one thing you wish you'd known earlier in your journey?
I wish I would have loved to know how irrelevant coding syntax would become. I would have spent much more time learning how to effectively translate thoughts and ideas into reliable functional and architectural specifications instead of focusing that much on coding languages syntax.
What's one tool, resource, or community feature you wish existed?
I think MakersHub is definitely something I was missing. There are lots of creators blogs, YouTube channels, but those seem very one-directional. With MakersHub, I can now easily connect with people sharing the same interest about building things with AI and share interesting experiences, projects, etc.
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