How Cloudflare Stopped the Largest DDoS Attack in History in 2024
Priyanka Vergadia Priyanka Vergadia

How Cloudflare Stopped the Largest DDoS Attack in History in 2024

Two weeks ago something huge happened in tech! Cloudflare, cloud platform that offers DNS and DDoS protections service, auto mitigated a 3.8 Tbps DDoS attack. To put that in perspective, imagine downloading 950 HD movies... every single second. That's the kind of digital tsunami Cloudflare was up against.  Let’s demystify what goes into mitigating an attack of this magnitude. Before we understand that, let me start by sharing how DDoS attacks work. 

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How to effectively use NotebookLM as a Student
Priyanka Vergadia Priyanka Vergadia

How to effectively use NotebookLM as a Student

As an MBA student at the Wharton Business School, I've been using NotebookLM, a game-changing AI tool that has transformed my approach to learning. This AI tool has become an indispensable part of my study routine, particularly when tackling complex case studies and course materials. In this blog post, I'll share my experience and offer insights on how students can leverage NotebookLM to enhance their academic journey.

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3 Hidden Skills Big Companies Teach You!
Priyanka Vergadia Priyanka Vergadia

3 Hidden Skills Big Companies Teach You!

While the decision to work at a large corporation or join a startup is a personal one, the experience of navigating a big company ecosystem offers unique opportunities for professional growth. The skills developed in this environment – from mastering the corporate zoo and managing up and sideways, to building diverse networks and finding common ground amidst competing priorities – are invaluable skills that transcend any single job or company. These competencies not only contribute to our success within the organization but also enhance our overall professional toolkit.

The challenges of bureaucracy and complexity in large companies, often seen as drawbacks, can actually be catalysts for developing patience, persistence, and creative problem-solving skills. As you progress in your career, you'll find that the ability to navigate complex organizational structures, influence without direct authority, and align diverse interests are highly transferable skills, serving you well whether you stay in big business, venture into smaller companies, or even start your own enterprise. So, while it may sometimes feel like you're a small cog in a giant machine, remember that you're simultaneously honing a set of powerful, often overlooked skills that will propel your career forward, regardless of where your professional journey takes you next.

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What is Platform Engineering? How is it different from DevOps?
Priyanka Vergadia Priyanka Vergadia

What is Platform Engineering? How is it different from DevOps?

Have you ever wondered how Spotify manages to recommend the perfect song for your mood, or how Uber can connect you with a driver in minutes, anywhere in the world? These seamless experiences aren't just magic, and they're not solely the result of AI. They're powered by a powerful approach to infrastructure and applications called Platform Engineering. Let's dive into what Platform Engineering is, how it differs from DevOps, and why it's becoming the secret weapon to increase productivity in tech companies

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3 Reasons Why I quit my job as Google’s Chief Developer Advocate
Priyanka Vergadia Priyanka Vergadia

3 Reasons Why I quit my job as Google’s Chief Developer Advocate

3 Reasons Why I Left Google

After seven incredible years at Google, I've decided to embark on a new adventure. In this post, I'll share the three main reasons behind my decision to leave one of the most coveted jobs in tech. This isn't just about my journey – it's a reflection on career growth that might inspire you to reassess your own professional path.

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How to get started with Gemini Flash
Priyanka Vergadia Priyanka Vergadia

How to get started with Gemini Flash

What is Gemini Flash?

Imagine a large language model (LLM) that's lightweight, super-fast, and cost-effective. That's exactly what Gemini Flash brings to the table. It boasts impressive features like:

Multimodal reasoning: Can handle text, audio, and even code!

Massive context window: Up to 1 million tokens, allowing you to process massive amounts of data (think hours of audio or thousands of lines of code).

Optimized for performance: Delivers high-quality results at a lower cost, perfect for enterprise use.

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Your Beginner's Guide to Getting Started with Generative AI
Priyanka Vergadia Priyanka Vergadia

Your Beginner's Guide to Getting Started with Generative AI

Over the past couple of years, I've had the privilege of building and launching Gemini Code Assist and Gemini for Google Cloud alongside Google’s talented product and engineering teams. Teaching is a passion of mine, and I've received countless requests to break down the fundamentals of Gen AI. So, I'm thrilled to share that I just put together a videos series "10 Days of Gen AI".

Whether you're a seasoned developer or just dipping your toes into the world of AI, this series will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to harness the power of Gen AI. Let's embark on this exciting journey together!

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The Secret Sauce of RAG: Vector Search and Embeddings
Priyanka Vergadia Priyanka Vergadia

The Secret Sauce of RAG: Vector Search and Embeddings

Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) leverages the strengths of Large Language Models (LLMs) and external knowledge bases to deliver more informative and accurate outputs. Here's a breakdown of the key components focusing on data chunking, embeddings, vector databases, and their interaction

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How to Make Your Generative AI More Factual
Priyanka Vergadia Priyanka Vergadia

How to Make Your Generative AI More Factual

Large language models are powerful tools, but ensuring their accuracy is essential. Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) emerges as a game-changer, bridging the gap between raw LLM potential and reliable, factual outputs. By harnessing the power of external knowledge bases, RAG empowers LLMs to deliver more informative, contextually relevant, and up-to-date responses across various industries. From personalized e-commerce experiences to enhanced medical diagnosis assistance, the applications of RAG are vast and hold immense promise for the future of Generative AI.

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