Builder, adventurer, educator, and perpetual learner
I'm Duncan Campbell, an AI/ML Developer Advocate at Google Cloud where I focus on AI/ML infrastructure and models. But my interests extend far beyond the professional realm into a rich tapestry of adventures, learning, and creative pursuits.
Current: AI/ML Developer Advocate at Google Cloud, specializing in AI/ML infrastructure and models. Helping developers and organizations leverage cutting-edge AI technology.
Past: Software engineer in robotics and mixed reality, building systems that blend the physical and digital worlds.
Current: Pursuing a Masters in AI, with coursework in Foresight. Certified yoga teacher.
Future Plans: D.Eng in AI, Masters in Instructional Design, Doctorate in Education Technology, and possibly a Doctorate in Transition Design.
Testing limits and exploring the natural world
Scaling vertical challenges, whether indoors or on real rock faces.
Pursuing summits and high-altitude adventures.
Multi-day wilderness expeditions, carrying everything needed for the journey.
Navigating the waters, including converting a sailboat to electric power.
Certified yoga teacher, practicing multiple styles of dance, and maintaining overall fitness.
Exploring human communication across time and culture
Learning the beautiful Persian language and its rich literary tradition.
Studying both Traditional and Simplified character sets, exploring one of the world's oldest writing systems.
Decoding ancient hieroglyphs and understanding the language of the pharaohs.
"Learning languages is like discovering new ways of seeing the world. Each language carries entire civilizations of thought, culture, and wisdom."
Music, making, and artistic expression
Currently learning to play the Hammond Electric Organ, exploring its unique sound and character.
Plans to learn theremin (the electronic instrument played without touch) and hurdy gurdy (the medieval string instrument).
Practicing multiple styles of dance, combining physical expression with rhythm and movement.
Giving back and building a sustainable future
Volunteering for education non-profits, including Northwest Education Access, helping expand access to learning opportunities for all.
Strong believer in environmental sustainability, demonstrated through projects like converting a sailboat to electric power and advocating for sustainable practices.
The intersections between technology, adventure, learning, and making
My diverse interests aren't separate pursuits—they're deeply interconnected and inform each other in unexpected ways. The problem-solving required in engineering applies directly to planning climbing routes. The patience and pattern recognition from learning ancient languages helps debug complex distributed systems. The mindfulness cultivated through yoga enhances presence during technical talks and mountaineering alike.
Working in AI/ML advocacy means helping developers understand complex technologies, which draws directly on my studies in instructional design and education technology. Building physical projects like the electric sailboat conversion requires the same systematic thinking as designing cloud infrastructure. Adventures in the mountains teach risk assessment and decision-making under uncertainty—skills that translate directly to technology leadership.
This interdisciplinary approach isn't about being a generalist or dilettante. It's about recognizing that the most interesting insights and innovations happen at the boundaries between fields. Ancient language studies inform how we think about AI and communication. Physical adventures build resilience that helps navigate professional challenges. Teaching yoga develops empathy that improves developer advocacy.
"The goal isn't to be the best at any one thing, but to build a rich, interconnected life where diverse interests create unexpected synergies and endless opportunities for growth, contribution, and joy."