Name - Stephen Masters
Place of Birth - Hull, Yorkshire
Family roots - British as far back as anyone in the family has looked
Occupation - Software architect/developer. I tend to build trading or data analytics systems for banks and energy companies.
How did I get involved in AI? - A friend invited me to travel to Armenia, so I thought it might be fun to get lessons in the language. A conversation in a lesson led to me helping to digitise the book I Ask You, Ladies and Gentlemen. The rest is history. I still haven’t travelled to Armenia. :)
A special memory about AI? - Presenting a talk in Eastern Armenian about digitising I Ask You, Ladies and Gentlemen. That was nerve-wracking, but a lot of fun!
Memorable events - Maybe the most fun was learning Armenian dances with Shakeh Major Tchilingirian.
Hopes and ambitions - I think what I would like to see is more collaborations with other organisations amongst the Armenian diaspora around the world.
Languages - English, French (I lived there 4 years as a kid) and now, some limited Eastern Armenian
Favourite book - Neuromancer by William Gibson. I loved how it extrapolated technology, corporate, and political trends to a near future that seems more plausible all the time.
Favourite movie - Le Grand Bleu / The Big Blue - All the scenes on boats and underwater, take me back to dive vacations.
Favourite music - Impossible to say - it seems to change every few days.
Favourite artwork - One I keep coming back to is Jacob Epstein’s Torso in Metal From Rock Drill, in Tate Britain.
Best advice you’ve been given - Maybe I have a bad memory for these things, but I can’t think of any advice that anyone has ever given me!
Motto - I think I’ll just steal one from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure: “Be excellent to each other!"
Coffee or tea - Coffee at the moment. I usually make filter at home.
Favourite place in London - The Thames Path. I love running along the Thames Path from around Hammersmith and towards Teddington Locks.
Stephen Masters is a trustee of the Armenian Institute, having come to us first as a language student. He joined our Advisory Committee and has been an exceptional volunteer sharing his technical skills as well as generously giving his time selling books, serving refreshments and just about anything else needed. He didn't mention his high energy level, demonstrated as a triathlete in his spare time!