If there is someone who truly embodies Bluebik’s spirit of growth and culture, Rachata ‘Tam’ Burin from the AI (Advanced Insights) team would undoubtedly be among them.
Tam is often seen as the approachable AI and data expert, always ready to share advice. But before becoming the accomplished professional he is today, Tam was once a fresh graduate with little work experience, until he joined Bluebik Bootcamp, an intensive training program focused on hands-on learning in data.
It was there that Tam’s potential first began to shine. After the bootcamp ended, Bluebik immediately invited him to join the team full-time. Three years later, Tam has grown from a junior team member into a Senior Data Scientist, a core leader who manages client relationships and guides his team to collaborate seamlessly, ensuring outcomes that bring satisfaction to both clients and colleagues.
His growth has not come from technical expertise alone. What other skills are required to become a true AI expert? And how did Tam reach this level? Join us as we explore his journey!
Level 1: Starting with a Love for Mathematics
“I have always loved numbers. That’s why I chose to study at the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University. The program covered not only mathematical theory but also programming and AI. During my time there, I enjoyed joining pitch competitions. At one event, I met a judge who was a consultant for a startup working on AI (voice/chatbot) projects. This was about eight years ago, when few people really understood AI, and he invited me to work with him.”
“I worked there for about three years before taking a year and a half off. But during that break, I felt my Data Science skills slipping away. Around that time, Bluebik launched its Bootcamp, a program designed to train about Data Science from scratch, covering everything from handling data, building presentations, to communicating with clients.”
Bluebik Bootcamp wasn’t lecture-based. It was learning on the job. We worked on real projects, guided by senior mentors every step of the way, which accelerated our learning. Looking back, the most important lesson I gained wasn’t technical—it was client management. You can learn technical skills from YouTube or online courses, but understanding real client needs and learning how to respond effectively is a different matter. That’s something you can only experience firsthand.”
“At the end, participants were evaluated. If you passed, the company offered you a full-time position. I passed, and that’s how I started at Bluebik as a Data Scientist.”
Level 2: Stepping into the Data Scientist World
“A Data Scientist works across the entire data journey. It begins with understanding the client’s business and what they really need, and can AI solve their problem? Then, we examine the data: is there enough of it, in what format, and where is it stored? Then, we move to the data preparation process, because in the era of Big Data, organizations collect enormous amounts of information but often fail to manage it effectively.”
“Once the data is ready, we move on to building models—whether predictive, clustering, or something else, depending on the project. Then comes validation and deployment. Ultimately, the goal is to generate insights that deliver value.”
“At Bluebik, we handle a wide range of projects. One of the popular requested projects was a Generative AI chatbot that reduced workload for human agents, freeing them to focus on more complex issues. Another was the Customer Analytics Use Case, which clustered millions of customers into groups based on their behaviors and interests. This allowed marketing campaigns to be more targeted, resulting in higher conversion rates and more cost-effective promotions.”
Level 3: Becoming a True Life-Long Learner
“AI never stops evolving. To thrive as a Data Scientist, you need to love learning and stay updated with new technologies. Programming skills are also essential, given the sheer scale of data, and strong presentation skills are necessary to communicate insights effectively to decision-makers.”
“The biggest challenge for me is keeping up with the changes. What you learn today might be obsolete next month when something faster and cheaper arrives. You have to constantly update yourself.”
“Another challenge is managing client expectations. When clients hear ‘Generative AI,’ many imagine something like Jarvis from Iron Man. However, current technology is not yet at that level. For example, the Large Language Models (LLMs) Chatbot, for instance, can still generate incorrect answers. So, we have to frame expectations realistically and ensure clients understand what AI can actually deliver today.”
Level 4: An Open-Minded Communicator
“Our Advanced Insights (AI) team is divided into three parts: Data Science (focused on models such as prediction and clustering), Data Engineering (designing and preparing data pipelines), and Data Consulting (working with clients to understand their needs and recommend appropriate AI solutions).”
“Although Bluebik is a SET-listed company, our AI team operates with a relatively flat structure. I can message a director directly and get a quick response, or reach out to another team for tools and support without going through layers of process. Everyone is proactive, skilled, and ready to collaborate.”
“Bluebik also invests heavily in upskilling. The AI team has budgets for certifications in data, AI, and cloud. The company provides e-books and organizes knowledge-sharing sessions. If someone needs to develop a specific skill, the team can set up a session to share knowledge, supporting both hard skills and soft skills.”
Level 5: Passionate AI Developer
“At Bluebik, every client is unique, and every project is different. Combined with the rapid pace of AI innovation, this makes the work challenging but rewarding. ฺBeside reaching out to the Director for additional tools or solutions, I often built AI tools myself first because I believe you must fully understand a product before recommending it to clients or colleagues.”
“For example, I built an internal chatbot on LINE and Microsoft Teams to answer questions about company benefits. It reads internal documents and provides quick answers, like the company’s registered address for invoices or details on annual holidays.”
Level 6: Leading as a Senior Data Scientist
“What I like most about working at Bluebik is the continuous learning—new AI tools, new challenges, and new opportunities to grow.”
“One turning point was being promoted to Senior Data Scientist after three years. As a Junior, my focus was on programming and creating slides. As a Senior, my role is more solution-oriented: designing approaches, estimating timelines, pricing projects, allocating resources, and sometimes managing systems.”
“My leadership style is relaxed but supportive. I give teammates freedom to try things their own way. If they get stuck, I guide them afterward. Deadlines remain firm, but the path to get there is flexible. Their solutions surprise me with creativity I hadn’t considered many times.”
“For me, a strong team supports each other. At Bluebik, no one works alone; we always consult, share, and collaborate. That makes the work environment not just productive, but genuinely enjoyable.”
Level 7: A Proud Achiever
“My proudest moments are when clients tell me our solutions saved them time and effort. That makes months of hard work worthwhile. Another source of pride is training: I once taught AI to 40–50 employees of a client company over the course of a year. They went from having no AI experience to building AI products for their organization. That was incredibly rewarding.”
“If I had to sum up my three years at Bluebik in one word, it would be Transform. This journey has transformed me from a purely technical specialist into someone who also manages projects, engages with clients, and designs solutions. I’ve grown tremendously in a short time.”
Advice for Aspiring AI Professionals
By Rachata ‘Tam’ Burin
“If you want to work in this field, you must understand the fundamentals, such as mathematics and the principles behind AI algorithms. Many tools today are advanced, and people often just use them without understanding what happens behind the scenes. But if tools change or disappear, lacking that foundation makes it difficult to adapt or solve complex problems.”
“For those already experienced in AI, I would emphasize communication skills. Many people can build AI, but far fewer can explain it clearly to others. Being able to make AI understandable strengthens client trust and sets you apart in this field.”
This is the life of a Data Scientist at Bluebik’s Advanced Insights team—a career that pushes you to learn, grow, and expand your skills every single day.
If you are ready to explore a similar journey, check out our open positions here: https://bluebik.com/job/
