In this episode of Free Form AI, we sit down with Lara Rachidi and Maria Zervou, two AI professionals whose paths defy the traditional tech blueprint.

Lara began her career in law and economics before pivoting into data science. Maria started at the British Library, digitizing manuscripts and unlocking forgotten datasets. Today, they’re building GenAI systems, leading strategy across regions, and shaping the next chapter of machine learning at OpenAI and beyond.

Tune in to Episode 15 for a wide-ranging conversation about:
•What actually makes a technical career resilient
•Why network-driven learning accelerates growth in AI
•How tools like DSPy are revolutionizing prompt optimization for agentic systems
•What the future of LLMs may look like

More than a career story, this episode is a reminder: some of the most effective voices in tech began outside of it.

If you’re looking to pivot into the AI field and want some role models, this episode’s for you.