to iterate and improve their models offline before testing them with real production traffic , and have production ML systems be automatically monitored and self-healed ,” he comments .
One such tool is Pinterest Lens , a visual search tool allowing users to search for ideas and products using images . The tech trick behind this feature is computer vision , which identifies objects in photos to suggest related content , allowing users to find similar items on Pinterest . These innovations , Burgess explains , are powered by open-source and internal advancements in ML technology .
“ Our ML platform is built with a combination of open source ML technologies , like PyTorch , Tensorflow and MLFlow , and tech that integrates with our own big data and online systems ,” he explains . “ That enables us to train ML models and automatically deploy them into serving systems for ML inference .”
Pinterest is an organisation defined by a culture of experimentation . As Burgess describes , its Experimentation Platform encourages experimentation and datadriven decision-making throughout the whole organisation , while also enabling the organisation to test thousands of new ideas .
“ Our Experimentation Platform is designed to support rapid iteration and the continuous improvement of our products , and allow us to quickly test and refine new features , user interfaces , and other elements of the user experience . By using data to guide our product development decisions , Pinterest is able to better meet the needs and preferences of our users , as well as increase inspiration .” pinterest . com 9