Data & AI with Mukundan | Learn AI by Building

Mukundan Sankar – Practical AI & Analytics

Practical, human-first AI. Each week we build small, useful AI tools and workflows—so you can apply them the same day you listen. Data & AI with Mukundan is where real-world problems meet practical AI. You don’t learn AI by collecting tabs—you learn it by shipping small, useful things. I’m Mukundan, an analytics pro, GPT builder, and lifelong learner. Every week we take one problem and build a solution you can actually use: smarter job-search helpers, portfolio reviewers, AI that speeds up analysis, slide/summary assistants, and more. You’ll hear the decisions behind each build—what to automate, how to evaluate quality, how to keep outputs reliable, and how to make it useful today. We keep the language plain, the examples concrete, and the steps realistic whether you’re hands-on or just AI-curious. Recurring themes: LLM applications, prompt design, evaluation, retrieval patterns, analytics workflows, career use-cases, and product thinking for AI. New episodes weekly. Subscribe for the how-to; stay for the shipped thing. 🔗 Connect with Me: Free Email NewsletterWebsite: Data & AI with MukundanGitHub: https://github.com/mukund14Twitter/X: @sankarmukund475LinkedIn: Mukundan SankarYouTube: Subscribe

  1. 3 NGÀY TRƯỚC

    The No-Upload AI Analyst: Hash, Mask, Redact—AI Analytics Without CSV File Uploads

    AI, data, numbers—without uploads. Hash, mask, and redact PII, then run data analytics locally for time-saving and privacy. In this episode, we build a No-Upload AI Analyst that keeps your PII safe: HMAC SHA-256 hashing, masking, and redaction using policy presets and client-side transforms. We’ll: • Reframe the problem (insights > risk) • Set four hard constraints (no uploads, local preferred, policy presets, human-readable audit) • Use rules-first privacy + schema semantics • Walk the 5-step workflow (paste headers → pick preset → set secret → transform → analyze) • Show real-world cases (HIPAA/HITECH-aware analytics, FERPA contexts, product analytics) • Share a checklist + quiz + local Streamlit approach Perfect for data teams in healthcare, finance, education, and privacy-sensitive orgs. Key takeaways Stop uploading customer data. Transform it client-side first.Use HMAC hashing to keep joins without exposing raw emails/IDs.Mask for human-readable UI; redact when you don’t need the field.Ship a data-handling report with every analysis.Run the app locally for maximum privacy.Affiliate note: I record with Riverside (affiliate) and host on RSS.com (affiliate). Links in show notes. Links Blog version: (Free): https://mukundansankar.substack.com/p/the-no-upload-ai-analyst-v4-secure Join the Discussion (comments hub): https://mukundansankar.substack.com/notesTools I use for my Podcast and Affiliate PartnersRecording Partner: Riverside → Sign up here (affiliate)Host Your Podcast: RSS.com (affiliate )Research Tools: Sider.ai (affiliate)Sourcetable AI: Join Here(affiliate)🔗 Connect with Me:Free Email NewsletterWebsite: Data & AI with MukundanGitHub: https://github.com/mukund14Twitter/X: @sankarmukund475LinkedIn: Mukundan SankarYouTube: Subscribe

    27 phút
  2. 26 THG 8

    AI Meal Planner — What to Cook Tonight with What You Have

    AI, data, and analytics pick three cookable dinners from the ingredients and appliances you already have—no grocery run. We use AI, data, and a rules-first analytics score to rank real meals you can make tonight with what’s in your pantry. A lightweight rules engine avoids AI hallucinations; Chef-AI adds safe swaps and one-line directions. You’ll learn a copy-paste AI prompt, how to reduce waste, and how analytics rank time, fit, and vibe. 3 bullets (skimmable): Rules > raw AI for reliable, cookable resultsAnalytics score to rank fastest/best-fit mealsCopy-paste prompt for 3 ideas in under a minuteYou’ll learn Why a rules engine beats raw AI for reliable, cookable recipesHow an analytics score prioritizes the best matches fastA copy-paste AI prompt that returns 3 make-tonight ideas in under a minuteHow to reduce waste and keep weeknight meals simple & tastyTry this prompt: I have [3–5 ingredients] and these appliances: [list]. Suggest 3 meals I can make in under 30 minutes. If something’s missing, suggest simple pantry substitutions. Keep it realistic and give one-line directions for each. Quick quiz True or False — If you only rely on AI, it may assume tools you don’t have and suggest impossible recipes. Answer: True. Start with rules; use AI for riffs and swaps. Discussion question When you’re deciding on dinner, do you want structure (reliable classics) or creativity (something new)? Reply on Substack or X—I'll share the poll next week. Resources & links Blog Link: https://mukundansankar.substack.com/p/pantry-plate-the-aifirst-way-to-decideKey takeaways Put rules before AI for cookable results.One clear AI prompt can end dinner indecision in minutes.AI is a partner, not the chef.Affiliate partners (links below): RSS: your podcast, get free transcripts, and earn ad revenue with as few as 10 monthly downloads. Sign up here.Sider AI. AI-powered research and productivity assistant for breaking down job descriptions into keywords. Try Sider here.Riverside FM: Record your podcast in studio-quality audio and 4K video from anywhere. Get started with Riverside here.Affiliate disclosure: Some links may be affiliates. If you use them, I may earn at no extra cost to you. Answer: True. Keywords: ai, ai meal planner, data, data analytics, analytics, time-saving tools, pantry, dinner ideas, recipe generator, meal planning

    23 phút
  3. 19 THG 8

    Ask Better Questions, Get Better Decisions — with AI Strategies & Analytics Tools

    I first built an AI that thinks like an analyst. Now I have built a better AI analyst for the practical use of AI. This episode breaks down the simple rebuild: start with a clear objective, pick 5–8 focus columns, and ship a one-page Markdown brief. You’ll also get a 3-minute quiz (10:33), a Substack discussion (17:04), and a 9-step checklist you can use today. What you’ll learn How to start with a clear business goal (not charts)Why focusing on 5–8 columns increases signalHow a 1-page brief moves work faster than a dashboardQuiz & Discussion Take the Lightning QuizJoin the Substack discussion: https://mukundansankar.substack.com/(Tell your day-two story, your one metric, and your 5–8 focus columns.)Listener Checklist Copy/paste: 1) Objective (one line) 2) 5–8 focus columns 3) 10 questions + why 4) Quick data health checks 5) Export 1-page brief 6) Share in Slack/Notion/Jira 7) Run 2–3 quick analyses today 8) Log learning + next decision 9) Repeat tomorrow Links Blog version: (with Medium membership): https://medium.com/data-science-collective/i-built-an-ai-that-thinks-like-a-data-analyst-then-it-went-viral-so-i-made-it-smarter-1f3206a8254b(Free): https://mukundansankar.substack.com/p/i-built-an-ai-that-thinks-like-aSubstack Note (comments hub): https://mukundansankar.substack.com/notesTools I use for my Podcast:Recording Partner: Riverside → Sign up here (affiliate)Host Your Podcast: RSS.com (affiliate )Research Tools: Sider.ai (affiliate)🔗 Connect with Me:Free Email NewsletterWebsite: Data & AI with MukundanGitHub: https://github.com/mukund14Twitter/X: @sankarmukund475LinkedIn: Mukundan SankarYouTube: Subscribe

    48 phút
  4. 14 THG 8

    AI-Driven Job Search: Using Data & Analytics for Portfolio Audits

    Beat instant rejections. Use an AI resume audit to pass ATS filters and turn silence into interviews—clear steps, a one-week plan, and a free checker. AI job search without the guesswork. In this episode I use a tiny AI resume & portfolio audit to beat ATS filters—what to highlight, what’s missing, and how to rewrite one project so a hiring manager actually cares. It’s personal, practical, and ends with a one-week plan you can apply today. You’ll learn • How modern ATS screeners work—and why they’re fast (and unforgiving) • The simple AI workflow behind my ATS simulator (no hype, just outcomes) • Three lessons from failing my own test—and what actually moved the score • How to translate your story so it passes the bots and reaches humans • A one-week action plan to raise your odds on your next application Key takeaways • ATS = gatekeeper. If you don’t pass it, humans may never see you. • Match keywords exactly from the JD—“close enough” doesn’t count. • ATS-friendly formatting beats fancy templates that break parsing. • Quantify outcomes so machines and recruiters see impact. • Test before you apply with an ATS checker/simulator. Try this today (no code) Paste into your AI tool of choice: “Here’s my resume + 3 project summaries and the job description I’m applying to. 1) What should I highlight to match the JD? 2) What am I missing? 3) Rewrite one project to emphasize measurable business outcomes in 2–3 bullets.” One-week plan Day 1: Baseline ATS check; log gaps. Day 2: Map exact JD keywords to your resume/projects. Day 3: Rewrite top project in outcome language (numbers first). Day 4: Fix formatting (simple headings, standard section names). Day 5: Add two quantified wins; remove tool-only bullets. Day 6: Align portfolio links to the role (pin your best two). Day 7: Re-test; apply to three roles; track results. Resources Full story + DIY steps: https://medium.com/data-science-collective/when-an-ai-tool-i-built-evaluated-my-resume-i-learned-what-100-rejections-never-taught-me-8e8eea1f3d8fRecommended: use any reputable ATS checker to preview parsing before you apply.Affiliate Disclosure This episode may contain affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show. Affiliate partners (links below): RSS: your podcast, get free transcripts, and earn ad revenue with as few as 10 monthly downloads. Sign up here.Sider AI. AI-powered research and productivity assistant for breaking down job descriptions into keywords. Try Sider here.Riverside FM: Record your podcast in studio-quality audio and 4K video from anywhere. Get started with Riverside here.Do this next Run your resume through an ATS checker this week. Find the gaps. Fill them. If this helped, share with a friend who’s job hunting and follow/subscribe for more real-world AI workflows.

    11 phút
  5. 12 THG 8

    Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch with Engaging AI Strategies

    Description: Join Mukundan Sankar as he explores the challenges of delivering an effective elevator pitch and how AI can assist in crafting one. Mukundan shares personal anecdotes and demonstrates AI-generated pitches tailored for different career stages. Key Takeaways: The importance of a well-crafted elevator pitch How AI can personalize pitches for different roles Real-life examples of AI-generated pitches Resources: 1]Elevator Pitch AI Code Mukundan's Blog Post: https://substack.com/home/post/p-170400977 2] Thinking about starting a podcast but worried it’ll take forever to grow? Here’s the thing — you don’t need a huge audience to get started or to earn money. I run my show on RSS.com, and it’s the simplest way to get your podcast live on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Deezer, and more — all in one step. Their analytics tell me exactly where my listeners are tuning in from, so I know what’s working. And here’s the best part — with their paid plan, you can start earning revenue through ads with as little as 10 downloads a month. That’s right — you don’t need to wait for thousands of listeners to start monetizing. Start your podcast for free today at RSS.com. (Affiliate link — I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.) 3] 💡 Sider.ai– Your AI Copilot for Productivity: Sider.ai is the all-in-one AI assistant that works inside your browser, letting you research, write, summarize, and brainstorm without switching tabs. Whether you’re prepping for an interview, drafting your next pitch, or refining your business plan, Sider.ai can supercharge your productivity. It’s like having GPT-4 on standby, ready to help you think faster and write better. Try Sider.ai today and see how much more you can accomplish in less time. (Affiliate link — I may earn a commission if you sign up.)

    24 phút
  6. 5 THG 8

    Using AI to Create a Time-Saving Memory Tool for Lasting Comfort

    Private AI memory app, built respectfully, to echo my parents’ advice—comfort across oceans today, and someday after they’re gone. Private AI memory app—ethical, respectful, and comforting. I share why I built a small, private AI that echoes my parents’ advice when distance (India ↔ U.S.) feels heavy—and how I kept it ethical with privacy, consent, and dignity. This isn’t a replacement for real conversations; it’s a quiet anchor for hard days, and a way to preserve the feeling behind their words. You’ll learn Design for comfort over novelty (two simple voice profiles)Boundaries: privacy, consent, dignity—and why they matterA high-level recipe for a personal AI tool (framework-agnostic)A no-code way to try the idea safely todayBuild it yourself (guide): https://medium.com/data-science-collective/what-if-you-could-talk-to-your-parents-long-after-theyre-gone-i-built-an-ai-for-that-62bbaf37236d If this helped: Follow the show and share it with someone who misses home. Affiliate Disclosure This episode may contain affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show. Affiliate partners (links below): RSS.com — Start your podcast, get free transcripts, and earn ad revenue with as few as 10 monthly downloads. Sign up here.Sider.ai — Your AI-powered research and productivity assistant for breaking down job descriptions into keywords. Try Sider here.Riverside.fm — Record your podcast in studio-quality audio and 4K video from anywhere. Get started with Riverside here.

    16 phút

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Practical, human-first AI. Each week we build small, useful AI tools and workflows—so you can apply them the same day you listen. Data & AI with Mukundan is where real-world problems meet practical AI. You don’t learn AI by collecting tabs—you learn it by shipping small, useful things. I’m Mukundan, an analytics pro, GPT builder, and lifelong learner. Every week we take one problem and build a solution you can actually use: smarter job-search helpers, portfolio reviewers, AI that speeds up analysis, slide/summary assistants, and more. You’ll hear the decisions behind each build—what to automate, how to evaluate quality, how to keep outputs reliable, and how to make it useful today. We keep the language plain, the examples concrete, and the steps realistic whether you’re hands-on or just AI-curious. Recurring themes: LLM applications, prompt design, evaluation, retrieval patterns, analytics workflows, career use-cases, and product thinking for AI. New episodes weekly. Subscribe for the how-to; stay for the shipped thing. 🔗 Connect with Me: Free Email NewsletterWebsite: Data & AI with MukundanGitHub: https://github.com/mukund14Twitter/X: @sankarmukund475LinkedIn: Mukundan SankarYouTube: Subscribe