Humans
behind AI
Paul Beaumont
Senior Expert
QuantumBlack, Singapore
Paul Beaumont
Senior Expert
QuantumBlack, Singapore
The human side of AI is key.
I’ve always enjoyed cracking problems. That's why I did a PhD in maths and computer science. But I’m becoming more interested in the impact that solving problems has on the real world. For me, that means being able to translate complex data science into a clear message about how organizational performance can be boosted. When I do that right and see a light go on in a client’s head—see them understand how AI can really benefit them—that's one of the highs of the job.
I’ve come to realize that the human side is key. Trying to understand the root causes of why people are behaving the way they do is crucial for solving problems. You can build the best analytical model in the world, but if you can’t make someone want to use it, it’s pointless.
Our AI models spot gaps and ways to make a difference. They augment human knowledge—aligning maybe 95 percent with what humans believe. The 5 percent where they don’t align is how they make a difference. We recently helped a heavy machinery company cut fuel use by nearly a quarter by analyzing their driving and sensor data. The better the data you have on anything, the better you can make that thing. It gives you a fuller picture and can show you where you are going wrong. I’ve done multiple sustainability and fuel efficiency AI use cases recently, they’re some of my favorites.
I learned more in six months at QuantumBlack than in three years of study.
I knew I wanted to move back to Asia after my PhD. I grew up in Yorkshire, UK, and lived in London, but I taught English in China for a few months after my Master’s because I wanted to try something new. Being in the classroom made me appreciate how different people’s backgrounds are, and how that influences their thinking and decision-making.
Singapore’s bustling city center is a big part of my life. I run around Marina Bay every morning. Because of the heat, I usually end up drenched in sweat, while all the locals are jogging around as if there’s no sun at all. I go for a swim afterward and watch the sun coming up over the bay. Every time I see it, I’m thankful for it. The bay is really important to me—it’s very central to my life here.
We’ve built a fantastic group of colleagues here in Southeast Asia. I moved to Singapore in 2019, along with two other colleagues, to build the QuantumBlack team and I’m very proud of all the practitioners here. They each bring something different to the table. The one thing they have in common though is a great sense of community and enabling each other to deliver fantastic work.
I learned more in six months at QuantumBlack than in three years of study. I had three offers after my PhD: NATO, an investment company, and QuantumBlack. I chose QuantumBlack because I thought it would let me see different things across industries and use my academic background—in causal inference—as much as possible. I was being exposed to industries I had no idea about, rather than just getting even more granular with mathematics.
I recently bought a piano and it makes me amazingly happy. I play it for a few minutes between calls, it’s like a micro-break that helps me clear my head. My parents made sure I had other interests besides math and I’m grateful for that!
Paul's photos were taken in Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
My parents made sure I had other interests besides math and I'm grateful for that!
Read more of our stories
Aidan Gomez
Tiffany Kwok
Mara Pometti
Sanjay Hariharan
Rory Walsh
