Practical AI avatar

Dexa/Practical AI

Learn more
Published May 26, 2021

Elixir meets machine learning

Explore the fusion of Elixir with machine learning as José Valim unveils advancements in collaborative notebooks and the development of Axon, positioning Elixir as a formidable competitor to Python with innovative tools like Livebook and Numerical Elixir enhancing data science workflows.
Episode Highlights
Practical AI logo

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Episode Highlights

  • Numerical Elixir

    , the creator of Elixir, is pioneering a new project called Numerical Elixir, which aims to integrate Elixir into the machine learning domain. This initiative is built on a layered approach, leveraging the Phoenix LiveView for collaborative notebooks and NX for neural networks. highlights the intersection of AI and Elixir as an exciting development, noting that NX-powered neural networks, like Axon, are built using regular Elixir functions 1 2.

    It's neural networks built on top of NX... all of the building blocks of a neural network.

    ---

    This project represents a significant step in making Elixir a viable option for AI and data science applications 3.

       

    Python Comparison

    Elixir's entry into machine learning invites comparisons with Python, the dominant language in the AI field. discusses the awkwardness of calling Python for inferencing when working in other languages like Go, highlighting the potential for Elixir to offer a more seamless experience 4. notes that NX allows for machine learning tools to be used in Erlang without performance costs, which could attract developers from the Python ecosystem 5.

    If you're working in Elixir, then it would be great for those developers to not have to do this sort of awkward call into Python for inferencing.

    ---

    This could lead to a broader acceptance of Elixir in AI, as developers seek alternatives to Python's limitations.

       

    Advantages

    The potential advantages of using Elixir for machine learning are rooted in its functional programming nature and the innovative approach of Numerical Elixir. explains that Elixir's immutable data structures align well with the functional style promoted by emerging Python libraries like JAX 6. This alignment could make Elixir an attractive option for developers seeking performance and integration benefits.

    If we have a tooling so you don't have to go there and can stay within the community, I would already consider that a tremendous victory.

    ---

    Valim's goal is to provide Elixir developers with robust tools for machine learning, reducing the need to switch to Python for data science tasks 7.

Related Episodes