Jeff Dean (Google Senior Fellow) – Humans of AI (Dec 2020)

Chapters

Abstract

Insight into the World of Jeff Dean: A Glimpse into the Life of a Renowned Computer Scientist

In an intimate and revealing interview, Jeff Dean, a distinguished figure in the field of computer science and a key player at Google, opens up about his personal and professional journey. From his unique daily routines and personal habits to his strengths, weaknesses, and philosophical outlook on life, Dean offers an unparalleled glimpse into the life of a tech visionary. Balancing professional commitments with a passion for learning and personal growth, Dean’s narrative is a rich tapestry of experiences, ranging from living in Africa during his youth to navigating the complexities of technological advancements and ethical considerations in AI. This article delves into the multifaceted life of Jeff Dean, presenting a compelling portrait of his character, beliefs, and inspirations.

Main Ideas:

Professional Routine and Approach:

Jeff Dean’s professional life is a blend of virtual pair programming on Mondays and Fridays, with a varied schedule of meetings, project reviews, and coding on other days. His favorite part of the day involves making cappuccinos, while large, slow-paced meetings are his least favorite. Dean also admits that his least favorite chore is folding laundry. This routine reflects a balance between collaborative and solitary work, emphasizing his dedication to evolving large-scale machine learning infrastructures.

Supplemental Information:

Dean’s personal tendencies include working with diverse colleagues and engaging in various forms of communication, often learning from others by observing their thought processes. Dean values clear vision and strategic planning, breaking goals into manageable steps. He emphasizes the importance of seeing multiple steps ahead to make optimal choices.

Personal Reflections on Time Management and Habits:

Dean candidly discusses his struggle with procrastination, balancing it with effective time management. He admits to fitting in smaller tasks during spare moments, highlighting his human side in managing everyday challenges. Despite having a natural time management system that works well for him, he still sets an alarm but often hits snooze to check news and emails.

Supplemental Information:

Dean sometimes struggles with indecision, despite usually being decisive. He surprises people with his engagement in certain activities, like pandemic dancing, despite being typically reserved. He also enjoys humming and whistling, but not singing.

Social Life and Personal Interactions:

Preferring a small circle of friends, Dean values deep conversations over a wide network of acquaintances. The pandemic has reshaped his social interactions, but he maintains close connections, demonstrating the importance he places on quality relationships. When asked about recent unexpected events, Dean prefers to skip the question due to current global complexities.

Supplemental Information:

Dean cherishes memories of places he has lived and finds joy in everyday moments. He values working with diverse colleagues and enjoys various forms of communication. He agreed to this interview because it offered a different and personal approach compared to typical interviews. He felt satisfied with the conversation and believed that all important aspects of his life and work were covered.

Strengths, Weaknesses, and Personal Growth:

Dean’s willingness to embrace challenges and unfamiliar territories stands out as his greatest strength, while he humorously acknowledges his shortcomings in cooking and physical balance. His approach to personal growth emphasizes continuous learning and embracing new challenges. He also expresses gratitude for a good education and opportunities due to his educated parents, as well as exposure to diverse environments and schools due to frequent moves.

Supplemental Information:

Dean advises researchers to skim multiple papers and abstracts to gather a broad range of ideas. He encourages exploration of diverse ideas to generate innovative solutions to problems.

Perspectives on Morality, Privilege, and Insecurity:

Dean reflects on his privileged upbringing and the role of his parents in shaping his journey. He experiences insecurities in professional settings, particularly when interacting with highly knowledgeable peers, revealing his humility and recognition of continuous learning. When asked about a recurring moral conflict, Dean struggles to identify a specific one.

Supplemental Information:

Dean acknowledges that he can be indecisive at times.

Leisure Activities and Unusual Experiences:

Dean enjoys biking, cooking more at home, and unique multitasking habits like flossing while reading the newspaper. His life experiences include living in rural Africa and playing in a renaissance string quartet, showcasing a diverse range of interests and experiences. He also often thinks about problems or issues while performing other tasks.

Supplemental Information:

Dean enjoys humming and whistling. He surprises people by participating in certain activities, despite being typically reserved.

Views on Technology and Ethical Considerations:

Dean expresses surprise at the rapid advancements in AI and emphasizes the importance of addressing its ethical and societal implications. This perspective highlights his awareness of the broader impact of technology. He also looks forward to continuing his pair programming work with a colleague on Friday.

Supplemental Information:

Dean often reflects on problems or issues while performing other tasks.

Personal Philosophy and Decision-Making:

Believing in the subjective nature of life’s purpose, Dean values thorough consideration in decision-making and embraces optimism. His approach to choosing projects and collaborators is centered around vision and strategic planning. When asked about the point of life, he believes that it is what one makes of it.

Supplemental Information:

Dean believes in learning from others by closely observing their thought processes. He values working with diverse colleagues and enjoys various forms of communication.

Management and Leadership:

Despite initial reservations, Dean has grown to appreciate his role in managing technical teams. He finds joy in guiding and supporting their growth, indicating his adaptability and leadership qualities.

Supplemental Information:

Dean values working with diverse colleagues who bring different knowledge and skills to collaborations.

Research Approach and Motivations for Interview Participation:

Dean advocates for a broad approach to research, valuing diverse perspectives. His willingness to engage in a personal interview reflects his openness and curiosity about different forms of communication and expression. When asked about unexpected events in his life, he prefers to skip the question due to current global complexities.

Supplemental Information:

Dean often reflects on problems or issues while performing other tasks. He values working with diverse colleagues and enjoys various forms of communication. He agreed to this interview because it offered a different and personal approach compared to typical interviews. He felt satisfied with the conversation and believed that all important aspects of his life and work were covered.



Jeff Dean’s interview offers an insightful look into the life of a computer scientist who balances professional excellence with personal introspection. His reflections on his routine, personal habits, social interactions, and philosophical views paint a picture of a well-rounded individual, deeply engaged in both his work and personal growth. Dean’s journey from his unique upbringing to his current position at Google is a testament to his adaptability, continuous learning, and commitment to making a positive impact in the world of technology.

Notes by: Hephaestus