Engineer / operator / bass player

Andy Barilla

I build AI systems and play bass in bands. Thirty years in software taught me the theory; now I get to improvise with LLMs.

Start a conversation Doll & Robot Labs

Colorado Springs, CO // est. 30+ years ago

01 // building

Useful systems for messy realities.

Thirty years in software, the last few spent on something that actually excites me: making LLMs do useful work in industries that run on messy documents and legacy systems.

I orchestrate multi-model AI pipelines that cut legal document processing by 75%. Before that: FinTech, InsurTech, cybersecurity, and telecom. The thread connecting all of it is taking complicated systems and making them talk to each other.

Think of it like jazz: you learn the theory so you can improvise. I’ve spent decades learning the theory. Now I get to improvise with LLMs.

30+: years in tech
75%: processing cut
5+: industries

02 // writing

Field notes, not thought leadership.

AI engineering, regulated industries, and lessons from thirty years in software.

01 We Code Econo Lean, explicit engineering is the edge now that AI amplifies every constraint. 02 The Multi-Model Move You’re Already Making The disagreement between models is the diagnostic instrument, not a bug to resolve. 03 85% Confident Is Not an Explanation Confidence scores are useful tripwires, but terrible diagnoses.

All articles →

03 // playing

Bass player. Two bands. Very different vibes.

ska / punk / horns

Knock Blockers

Colorado Springs ska. Horns, fast tempos, good times.

grunge / stoner rock

Tinker’s Damn

Loud, low-tuned, and probably too long between shows.

04 // etc.

Off the clock.

Home brewer: Lawnmower beers and stouts you can’t see through
Location: Colorado Springs, CO