A little about me
Engineer by training.
Curious by nature.
I’m Başak, an AI engineer based in Amsterdam. I like working where software, machine learning, and real product needs meet.
I’ve spent more than 8 years building machine learning systems, AI platforms, and products. My work has moved from recommendation systems and ML infrastructure to generative AI and agentic applications.
I’m especially interested in the stretch between a promising prototype and a product people can rely on: choosing the right architecture, evaluating behavior, making systems observable, and understanding whether they solve the problem that matters.
Alongside engineering, I write, speak, and teach. I co-created Marvelous MLOps to share practical lessons from operating machine learning systems. I enjoy making complicated ideas easier to use and discuss.
Before moving into machine learning, I studied computer science and artificial intelligence. My route into the field was a little accidental; I wrote about it here .
Outside work, I’m at home in Amsterdam, and my cat remains unmoved by all of this AI talk.
What I care about
Useful, thoughtful
engineering.
I enjoy moving between architecture, hands-on engineering, and product questions. The interesting work is often figuring out what a team should build, how to make it dependable, and how to tell whether it is helping.
I’m not interested in adding AI just because it is possible. I’m interested in technology that addresses a real need and can be operated responsibly over time.
More about my experienceEducation