Ben Hall
About Ben Hall
Ben Hall is a Senior Engineer Manager specializing in Machine Learning at Condé Nast, where he has led various innovative projects since 2022. He has a background in Computer Science from UCL and extensive experience in engineering roles at companies like Warby Parker and BlikBook.
Work at Condé Nast
Ben Hall has been employed at Condé Nast as a Senior Engineer Manager in Machine Learning since 2022. In this role, he has led several initiatives to enhance user engagement and content discovery across various platforms. Notable projects include the development of a real-time ad-density adjustment model using XGBoost, which aimed to reduce user bounce rates on high-traffic sites. Additionally, he managed the development of a CLIP-based visual search for Vogue Runway, incorporating feedback from prominent figures in the industry.
Education and Expertise
Ben Hall holds a degree in Computer Science from University College London (UCL), where he studied from 2006 to 2010. Prior to this, he earned an MSci in Physics from Imperial College London, studying from 2002 to 2006. His educational background provides a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied aspects of technology, particularly in machine learning and data science.
Background
Ben Hall has a diverse professional background, having worked in various roles across multiple organizations. He served as Chief Technology Officer at BlikBook from 2009 to 2015, where he contributed to technology development before the company was acquired by Civitas Learning. He then transitioned to Warby Parker, where he held positions as Principal Engineer and Tech Lead from 2017 to 2021, focusing on vision technology and prescription checks. Prior to his current role, he worked as a Senior Engineer Manager at Ro from 2021 to 2022.
Achievements
Throughout his career, Ben Hall has led significant projects that leverage machine learning to improve user experiences. He created a 'Virtual Bartender' model using large language models (LLM) for Wired events. He also implemented a BERT/sBERT based search system for Bon Appétit and Epicurious, enhancing their recipe search capabilities. His work includes pioneering a QLORA-based fine-tuning approach of Stable Diffusion for generating prototype images for editorial photoshoots.