Meet the Trainer: Jonathan Barrios
Jonathan Barrios, CBT Nuggets trainer since 2021, is as curious as he is skilled.
Jonathan’s journey began with machine learning in 2008, inspired by Andrew Ng's CS 229 course through Stanford Online and Ray Kurzweil's The Singularity is Near. Originally a music teacher developing full-stack web applications for online teaching, Jonathan became a full-stack developer at All Classical Portland radio station. He eventually returned to teaching—this time focused on his deeper passions: data analytics, data science, and machine learning at top online education platforms.
“I love data science, deep learning, and helping others make the most of them—whether it's working with data or processing audio, I'm all about making complex topics accessible and useful for everyone.“ he says, sharing his eagerness to help learners turn data into insight and leverage artificial intelligence. Jonathan’s mission is clear: make data and AI approachable.
Outside of work, you’ll find him building neural networks to create generative AI music apps or taking long hikes outdoors. Let’s see what Jonathan’s been up to lately and what’s next on his training horizon.
Can you describe some of the courses or topics you’ve been working on recently? Recently, my work at CBT Nuggets has been centered around building a comprehensive ‘zero to hero’ pipeline tailored for nontraditional learners. The goal here is to take students from the basics of data analysis and programming all the way through data science, machine learning, and ultimately deep learning.
What certifications do you have? Are you working on any now? I come from a programming background, so I've always focused on building and showcasing my work rather than collecting certifications. However, I do hold the Professional TensorFlow Developer certificate. I'm also involved in creating content for certifications like the Data Science Foundations certificate from ITCA, to help others gain the skills that they need. If I could do it all over again, I would pick a more balanced approach of building and showcasing my work alongside certifications—best of both worlds.
I'm passionate about IT training because... it encompasses all of the areas that I am passionate about—programming, data analysis, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. These are my favorites, and I enjoy helping others learn about them too.
The best part about being a trainer is…being poised at the intersection of education and AI, where I can help nontraditional learners transition into the age of AI. It's incredibly rewarding to guide students as they gain the skills needed to thrive in this rapidly evolving field.
Are there any tools or features you are particularly excited about teaching? Serendipitously, I've developed a 'zero to hero' pipeline of Data Analysis, Data Science, and AI courses before the explosion of AI in 2023. I'm particularly excited about the fact that I have a set of courses ready to go for nontraditional learners, or beginners for that matter, who want to dive into AI. Even if you have no experience in programming and are looking to transition into AI, we're ready for you.
When I’m not making CBT Nuggets videos: I'm usually still creating—whether it's music with AI, exploring the intersection of music and technology, or just enjoying a good hike.
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Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn!
Jonathan has crafted each CBT Nuggets course to bridge the gap between complex theories and real-world applications. Whether you’re dipping your toes into data analytics or tackling advanced machine learning, his courses are built to get you confident, skilled, and ready to succeed. Plus, there’s more ahead: Jonathan’s upcoming courses on the Professional TensorFlow Developer and Data Science Foundations (ITCA) certifications are coming soon.
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