CMU PhD reflects on how ML/NLP research changed from BERT era to today
May_F1_ · x · 2026-08-17
CMU PhD student Emmy Liu writes a retrospective on her PhD journey (2021-present), dividing ML/NLP research into three eras: Post-BERT to Pre-ChatGPT, Early ChatGPT, and the rise of Agentic Workflows. She reflects on the drastic shifts in research processes, the uncertainty for students choosing topics, and her late adoption of agentic workflows.
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