Learning from Michael Gao: Inspiring Our Robotics Journey
- kyliemliu325
- Jan 14
- 2 min read
On Thursday, January 2nd, the Qubit Bot robotics team had the privilege of hosting a virtual outreach event with Michael Gao, a seasoned software engineer at Google. This insightful session, organized by team member Kylie, was a perfect opportunity for the team to learn from Michael’s wealth of experience and gain valuable insights for the upcoming FIRST FTC season.
About the Speaker
Michael Gao has been a software engineer at Google for over 13 years. His career journey reflects his adaptability and passion for innovation, as he transitioned from a research role to a dynamic position at one of the world’s leading tech companies. Michael’s extensive work with AI and machine learning has contributed to significant advancements in Google’s product offerings, including Google Shopping, Google Assistant, and Google Cloud.
Highlights of the Outreach Event
The session began with a Q&A where Michael shared his career story, his experiences at Google, and his thoughts on the evolution of technology. The conversation touched on a range of topics, including his early career in research, his transition to Google, and the dynamic changes within the company over the years.
Michael explained how his passion for software engineering grew as he solved complex problems and witnessed the practical applications of his work. He emphasized that his career choice fulfilled three crucial criteria: it was something he excelled at, enjoyed, and found practical and lucrative.
Key Learnings from Michael Gao
Adaptability in Career Choices
Michael’s transition from research to Google showcased the importance of being adaptable and open to new opportunities.
Exploring Multiple Interests
He highlighted the value of exploring diverse fields, which helped him discover his true passion and strengths.
Balancing Innovation and Practicality
Michael’s advice to balance curiosity and practicality resonated deeply, encouraging us to approach challenges with both creativity and logic.
Insights into AI and ML Projects
Michael’s experience with visual search algorithms and speech recognition for Google Assistant illustrated the real-world impact of AI and machine learning, inspiring us to incorporate these technologies into our robotics projects.
The Power of Iteration and Collaboration
He stressed the importance of iterative improvement and teamwork, emphasizing that great innovations are rarely the product of isolated efforts.
Applying the Learnings to FIRST FTC
The team shared details about the current season’s challenges and goals with Michael, who encouraged leveraging advanced tools like machine learning APIs to enhance our robot’s capabilities. His emphasis on collaboration and iterative development has inspired us to refine our approach, ensuring our solutions are both innovative and practical.
Looking Ahead
Michael Gao’s journey from research to Google, and his impactful projects in AI, provided the Qubit Bot team with a fresh perspective and invaluable lessons. As we prepare for the upcoming FTC season, we aim to apply these insights to tackle challenges and innovate fearlessly. With Michael’s guidance in mind, we’re motivated to push our boundaries, achieve our goals, and inspire others through STEM.
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