Life at WeBuild-AI: meet Diogo Carrapato Sousa, from developing WeBuild-AI’s proprietary platform, to Ironman and comic books

What’s your role here at WeBuild-AI?

As the Founding AI Engineer at Webuild-AI and employee number one, my responsibilities are multifaceted, encompassing both external client engagement and internal platform development. 

My primary external focus is to assist large enterprises in securely and safely leveraging artificial intelligence and data insights through their existing data infrastructures. This involves comprehensive consulting, where I guide clients through every stage of their AI journey, from initial requirements gathering and solution design, to full-scale implementation.

Internally, I am deeply involved in the continuous development and strategic evolution of our proprietary AI Platform, Pathway. A significant aspect of this role includes constantly conceptualising and designing the future enhancements and next-generation capabilities for Pathway. I take immense pride in having been the inaugural contributor, committing the very first lines of code to its repositories, an experience that has been instrumental in building the platform from its foundational elements.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My day kicks off with a quick scan of the latest AI news and trends over breakfast. Then it's straight into responding to Slack messages and emails, focusing on anything urgent. After that, I check my calendar and plan out time for coding. I really try to dedicate at least half my day to it, as it is what demonstrates our value to customers.

I usually get a good chunk of development done before our daily team Standup. That's where we chat about our progress, what we're working on and any issues, making sure everyone is aligned. I am also often on calls with the team to brainstorm, design and problem solve. Plus, I try to connect with other internal teams to make sure I have a good overview of what other projects are doing and to ensure our internal development is aligned.

What’s your career journey been like so far?

It definitely wasn’t a normal journey. I initially embarked on a path in nursing, completing my BSc, only to discover it wasn't my true calling. My real fascination was with computers, which led me back to university in Portugal to pursue Computer Science. After completing this degree, I moved to London for my first role as a Software Engineer for a SaaS company. While there, I gained invaluable experience helping customers implement products, which deepened my understanding of practical applications in tech.

However, my thirst for knowledge didn’t stop there: I transitioned to a part-time role to concurrently pursue a Master's Degree in Machine Learning, a field that truly captivated me because of its magical and unknown side. Since then, my career has predominantly been in consulting, across industries like retail, manufacturing, energy & utilities, and financial services. I am only missing healthcare to come full circle.

Most recently, I've blended two significant passions – data and sports – by completing a second Master's Degree in AI applied to sports, which I hope will enable me to, somewhere down the line, be involved with sports. 

What do you enjoy the most about your job here?

Working at a company that uses advanced tech to solve real problems and create value for customers is incredibly rewarding. It's even better because the company is growing fast and I get to work with smart, interesting people. The combination of innovative tech, real customer impact and a culture of continuous learning, makes for a truly stimulating and satisfying career.

Engineers: what’s a piece of code/work you’ve recently written that you’d be proud to show your past self, and why?

I am sure my past self would be very proud of all the work I have contributed to Pathway development because of how sophisticated, smart and cool the platform is. Even now, when we are developing a new use case for a customer, I find myself getting surprised quite often with the advanced capabilities of the platform and how much value it is bringing to clients, using the latest technologies available.

Quick fire

Dark mode or light mode?

Dark mode for coding (the only right answer). Follow sunset rule for everything else.

How many languages do you speak (and which ones)? 

Portuguese is my native language and I can say I am fluent in Spanish and English. And as with any Portuguese person, I say I understand Italian and could speak if I stayed there for 2 weeks. In terms of technical languages, my go-to is Python, but through the years I have actually worked with Java, C, Javascript and even Pascal. 

Are you a nerd (and if so, what topics are you nerdiest in)?

Of course, all engineers are! I am very into Marvel and Comic books.

Passionate about innovation?

Join a team that’s pushing boundaries together.