Dr. Da Chuang is the CEO and co-founder of Expedera. This company creates neural engine semiconductor IPs that improve the use of AI in all sorts of applications, from virtual reality to security. In this interview, he explains how he got started with Expedera and the most effective ways to lead a team of people. Edited for clarity.
How do you feel that AI has changed since you entered the field?
AI has changed a lot since I first started with AI and computer science. It's gotten much more widespread since the boom of interest in AI development in the early 2010s when many people were creating startups dedicated to improving AI. This was when I started Expedera, so it was easier to get it off the ground due to the upsurge in interest. It was a very niche field, but now, AI is all around us. For example, AI is used in our phone cameras to detect faces, create filters, and determine what to focus on.
We've also seen AI having virtual and augmented reality applications. For instance, researchers have developed AI to increase the frames per second in VR. Every other frame would be created, and the AI would fill in the frames in between. The brain wouldn't be able to tell a difference because of the speed and accuracy of the AI. It also has been used extensively in autonomous driving using lidar and radar data.
Working in software has gotten hugely popular in the last several years. It's integrated into almost everything we use, so even if your job is in technology hardware, you'd still need to know how the code works. All aspects of computing and technology are interconnected.
What's your daily work routine like?
I usually drive my kids to school in the morning, go to the driving range, and get to work by noon. Being a CEO makes my schedule much more flexible. I always have a lot of meetings with the team, and generally I'm done by 10 P.M.
What are some aspects of your job that you think people don't know about or wouldn't have expected?
You do a lot of very hands-on work; you're not just telling them what to do. Even though I’m the CEO, I sort of “fill in the gaps” of what my team needs to be done. Alongside leading the team and directing the startup, I do the hands-on programming work alongside them and help out whenever possible.
Because of this, you need a lot of technical knowledge, especially since I'm in a more technical field with Expedera. Leading a startup doesn't only require soft skills such as public speaking, you need to be willing to dive deep into what your team is doing and work with them.
Do you have any advice on leading a team of people?
You can think of a team and a leader as an orchestra. The leader, or CEO, would be the conductor, while the team is the musicians playing all the instruments. As a leader, it's important to know that both parts are essential to success in a startup. If you had no team, you would have no music; with no leader, there wouldn't be a clear direction.
Another important thing is that our team's objectives and goals aren't only comprised of my vision for the startup. I take into account the team's experiences and ideas to shape it. It's less of getting the team to do what you want and more of adapting your ideas and direction from your team. This way, everyone will be more motivated to work as they know their ideas are being heard and acted upon. To be successful, your team and coworkers need to want to do the job.
In short:
In the past decade, AI has gotten hugely popular among tech companies and startups. It is one of the hottest new fields because of how many potential applications AI has.
It's crucial to motivate your team or those you're working with so that they want to do the job. Ensure everyone's ideas are incorporated into the project's direction to accomplish this.
Have experience working with the team and doing what they do. If you're a leader, don't hesitate to get your hands dirty and help whenever possible. Your team will appreciate it.
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