"It’s not that you understand it — it’s that they understand it."
– Dave Keeshan
🔍 In this episode:
From microchip design to AI, from corporate silos to stand-up comedy — Dave Keeshan has navigated a career defined by adaptability, curiosity, and the courage to try “the extra thing.”
We unpack what it really takes to be a problem solver in an AI-driven world: not just technical expertise, but generalist skills, communication mastery, and the confidence to step into uncertainty.
👤 About the Guest
Dave Keeshan graduated with first-class honours in microelectronic engineering from University College Cork in 1998. His journey spans Bell Labs in New Jersey during the dot-com bubble, data analytics for printing technology in Australia, early-stage computer vision at Movidius, and high-performance FPGA/AI contracting.
Alongside his engineering career, Dave built a parallel life in stand-up comedy, performing at the Sydney Comedy Festival and volunteering as a surf lifesaver. Today, he combines his technical expertise with a passion for teaching, communication, and challenging the “be one thing” mentality.
🌪 A Career in Constant Adaptation
Dave’s career arc reads like a masterclass in staying relevant in a fast-moving industry:
Microchip design at the peak of demand → navigating the dot-com bust.
Geographical pivots to Australia and back, retooling skills for new sectors.
Early entry into computer vision and AI before it was mainstream.
Transitioning from startup agility to corporate structures — and back to independent contracting.
For Dave, adaptability isn’t optional: “I’d love to say I had a lot of control in my career… but market forces often decide.”
🧠 The Generalist Edge in an AI World
Dave warns against over-specialisation in an era where AI is reshaping every profession.
“I think specialised engineers, accountants, lawyers… are dead. AI is coming for the specialisation.”
Instead, he champions the real engineer: someone who can break down problems, identify unknowns, and devise solutions across various domains. That means blending technical fundamentals with interpersonal intelligence.
🔄 Comedy, Communication & Confidence
A turning point in Dave’s life came in Australia, stepping on stage for his first stand-up set.
Comedy taught him:
The power of brevity in technical communication.
How to read an audience and adapt in real time.
That confidence often matters more than content: “Everybody’s got jokes — it’s the confidence that counts.”
He applies the same skills when teaching Python or leading technical teams: making sure they understand it, not just that he does.
💎 Key Takeaways for Modern Problem Solvers
💥 Adapt Relentlessly: Careers are rarely linear — retool and reposition as markets shift.
🧭 Think Like a Generalist: Learn the fundamentals that let you bridge fields and contexts.
🧠 Invest in Communication: Clarity, brevity, and audience awareness are as valuable as code.
🧩 Challenge the “One Thing” Rule: Diverse pursuits make you sharper in your core domain.
💰 Experiment with Micro-Retirements: Take strategic time off to recharge and reset, not just at the end of your career.
🧵 Reflection Prompt
Where are you clinging to specialisation — and how might broadening your skills unlock new opportunities?
📚 Suggested Resources
Books:
The 4-Hour Work Week – Tim Ferriss
Concepts & Tools:
Generalist vs Specialist thinking
Brevity in communication (setup → punchline)
Micro-retirements as a life design tool
Films:
Oppenheimer – On expertise and consequence
* 🎧 Audio on Substack: (you’re here)
* 🎥 Prefer video? Watch the episode on YouTube.
🎧 Huge thanks to Dave Keeshan. His mix of engineering rigour, humour, and human insight is a reminder that problem solving goes far beyond technical skill.
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About The Art of Beyond Algorithms (TABA)
The Art of Beyond Algorithms (TABA) is a podcast and platform dedicated to exploring the invisible skills that drive meaningful, long-term success in Data Science and AI careers. Beyond tools, code, and technical mastery, TABA dives into the meta-layer of professional growth — from decision-making and self-leadership to communication, adaptability, and identity shifts.
Through weekly live interviews with DSAI professionals, TABA podcast shares the real stories, mindset changes, and cross-disciplinary insights that shape impactful careers, offering listeners not just knowledge but also perspective.
About the host
Dr. Alireza Dehghani is an award-winning AI technologist, strategist, and the creator of two career-focused podcasts — Ordmen (in Persian) and The Art of Beyond Algorithms (TABA).
With over 15 years of experience across industry and research, he has led AI initiatives at startups, large enterprises, and national innovation centres. Passionate about the intersection of technical excellence and human insight, Alireza brings a unique perspective to career development in Data Science & AI — focusing not just on what professionals do, but on how they think, grow, and lead beyond the algorithm.
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