Andreas Bartsch | Head | Service Delivery | PBT Group | mail me |
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising industries across the world. In doing so, the role of the data specialist within organisations is changing. The use of AI in data-driven roles is accelerating. These professionals must enhance their skill sets to stay relevant.
We take a closer look at how data professionals can foster innovation within businesses. This can be achieved by upgrading their skills for today’s AI-enriched world.
The impact of AI on professionals
Even though AI and automation have transformed the role of data experts and replaced certain tasks, there are more opportunities to be had.
AI will not replace data specialists. However, data experts who leverage AI will outperform those who do not. AI is not an enemy of the workforce. Instead, it should be seen as a tool that can empower data professionals to work more efficiently. It is therefore critical for data professionals to become AI literate.
AI does not fully automate the data lifecycle. Human intervention is important, especially for tasks like ethical evaluations, data modelling, and transformation. While AI can process massive amounts of data at speed, it is still the data expert’s role to ensure the quality, accuracy, and ethical application of the data.
– Jeanne-Louise Viljoen, Data Engineer at PBT Group
What this means for the data expert
The evolving AI landscape brings a host of opportunities but also challenges for data professionals.
AI offers tools that can streamline processes like data ingestion and analysis. However, it cannot replace the domain expertise required to interpret and apply data meaningfully. Data engineers are critical in refining AI models, ensuring data governance, and preventing bias in algorithms.
– Julian Thomas, Principal Consultant at PBT Group
Data professionals must stay on top of developments in AI-driven technologies. These include data fabric methodology, which heavily relies on AI to optimise data integration and delivery. Ultimately, AI will enhance, rather than diminish, the value of domain-specific knowledge and judgment calls that data professionals bring to the table.
Advancing skillset for an AI world
As AI evolves, so too must the skills of data professionals. Data experts are encouraged to adopt a digital mindset and constantly seek to innovate by advancing their capabilities.
Understand which type of AI affects your role, study it, and embrace it. Those who do will hold a significant advantage over those who do not. Throughout this AI journey, the quality of data is non-negotiable.
AI is only as good as the data it is trained on. Poor data management can lead to incorrect responses from AI models. This can potentially undermine the effectiveness of AI-driven processes. Achieving sustained success requires data professionals to enhance their skills in managing data quality, while also leveraging AI tools to improve accuracy and efficiency.
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into data jobs, human intelligence and intervention not only remain relevant but increasingly important. Data professionals have an incredible opportunity to position themselves to thrive better. This can be done by advancing their skills and embracing AI as a powerful tool. While AI will change the way we work, it is up to us to ensure that we are the ones driving that change.
