Michael Lane, aged 49, holds the position of vice president of development at Rev, which is a company specializing in audio transcription services. Lane revealed his intention to pursue a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence (AI) at East Texas A&M University starting next year.
Describing his academic path as rather indirect, Lane shared that he initiated his higher education journey at the University of Toronto in 1995, majoring in computer engineering as an undergraduate. Unfortunately, financial constraints led him to discontinue his studies during the third semester, resulting in feelings of disappointment from not being able to complete the program.
Following his departure from college, Lane kickstarted his professional career in sales. After spending a couple of years engaged in tech sales, he transitioned to a position at a software development company. This experience reignited his passion for technology and motivated him to consider completing his unfinished academic pursuits.
Opting for a programming role, Lane enrolled in a distance-learning program with the goal of obtaining a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Successfully concluding his undergraduate studies in 2006 held significant personal meaning for him as it helped fill the void left from his departure from the University of Toronto.
Since then, Lane has accrued over two decades of experience in the tech industry, having assumed roles at reputable companies like Logitech and Kobo. Joining Rev, the audio transcription company, in 2024 marked a pivotal moment as he now spearheads engineering initiatives for their AI product line.
Expressing awe at the unprecedented nature of AI within his industry, Lane likened the emergence of technologies like ChatGPT to a transformative explosion in the tech realm. Acknowledging the complexity and novelty of AI as a field that lacks historical precedence, he emphasized the necessity of deepening his understanding to propel Rev to the forefront of AI innovation.
Recognizing the evolving expectations for tech leaders, Lane underscored the importance of staying abreast with cutting-edge technologies to effectively guide engineering teams and facilitate informed decision-making. Envisioning his forthcoming part-time pursuit of a master’s degree in AI at East Texas A&M University as instrumental for enhancing both his foundational knowledge and practical application within Rev’s operations.
In advocating for embracing AI across all levels of software development, Lane dispelled negative perceptions surrounding its impact by highlighting its potential to revolutionise business practices akin to groundbreaking innovations like the iPhone.