Meet Marcin Ciołek, Software Architect at Cisco BabbleLabs
Marcin’s journey with Cisco began through a unique path when BabbleLabs, a startup focusing on noise cancellation technology, was acquired by Cisco in 2020. Having joined BabbleLabs in 2019, Marcin started his tenure right at the cusp of this transition. Initially stepping into the role of a Engineering Technical Leader before moving on to become a Software Architect, he has been at the forefront of enhancing audio quality within Cisco’s offerings, notably within the Webex platform. His work encompasses various stages of audio improvement, including echo reduction, noise removal, background voice suppression, and automatic volume adjustment to ensure uniform audibility. These components form the backbone of a system delivering high-quality sound across laptops, phones, and even in contact centers, catering to Cisco’s tools.
There were many reasons for Marcin to embark on this journey. Attracted by the innovative spirit reminiscent of a startup within BabbleLabs, he found the team’s commitment to pioneering solutions in the realm of digital communication compelling. His work now involves integrating various speech enhancement modules into a robust system capable of handling extreme situations, such as calls made from bustling airports. One of his notable projects involves the Cisco Codec, where the challenge of internet connectivity loss and packet delivery is addressed. Combining traditional solutions with AI, the BabbleLabs team has developed a packet loss concealment technique that ensures continuous audio in the case of up to one-second packet loss.
Looking into the future, Marcin sees immense potential in the continued integration of AI with traditional audio processing techniques. The ability of AI to compress data more efficiently, allowing for lighter packets that carry more sound, starts a new era in digital communication. This innovative approach not only preserves sound quality but also opens new possibilities for real-time communication across various Cisco platforms. Marcin is most inspired by the startup-like spirit that pervades his team, emphasizing rapid communication, high work culture, and the ability to tackle previously unsolved problems collaboratively. The satisfaction of seeing projects through to success, coupled with the appreciation from users, fuels his dedication. Marcin’s experience has been enriched by learning effective time management and problem-solving strategies, skills that have proven invaluable in navigating the dynamic and collaborative environment at Cisco.
