Data Science Insider: October 6th, 2023

In This Week’s SuperDataScience Newsletter: 3D-Printed Neural Networks Mimic Real Brains. 2% Funding to Female-Founded AI Startups. Top Free Cloud Notebooks for Data Science. Data Scientists in Demand. AI Chatbots Raise Mental Health Concerns. Cheers, - The SuperDataScience Team P.S. Have friends and colleagues who could benefit from these weekly updates? Send them to [this link]( to subscribe to the Data Science Insider. --------------------------------------------------------------- [3D-Printed Neural Networks Mimic Real Brains]( brief: Researchers at Monash University in Melbourne have 3D-printed living neural networks using rat brain cells that mimic the behaviour of real brains. This development has potential applications in replacing animal testing in drug trials and studying brain function. The 3D-printed neural networks offer a combination of experimental control and biological realism, making them valuable for various biomedical applications. However, challenges include maintaining the cells' viability during printing and scaling up to replicate human brain complexity. The technology has the potential to revolutionize drug testing and personalized medicine, but it may take time for scientists to transition from traditional animal models. This innovation aligns with the broader trend of using advanced techniques and data-driven approaches to improve healthcare and personalized medicine. Why this is important: This project represents a significant advancement in biomedical research and drug development. The ability to 3D-print living neural networks opens up new possibilities for studying brain-related diseases and conducting drug trials. Data scientists, like you, may play a crucial role in analysing the data generated by experiments using 3D-printed neural networks, contributing to the development of more effective treatments and therapies. [Click here to learn more!]( [2% Funding to Female-Founded AI Startups]( brief: A report from the Alan Turing Institute reveals a significant gender imbalance in AI startup funding in the UK. Female-founded AI companies secured only 2% of funding deals over the past decade, with an average of £1.3 million raised per deal compared to £8.6 million by all-male founder teams. As investment in AI software continues to grow, with predictions of global investment approaching £166 billion by 2025, addressing this gender imbalance is critical. Researchers emphasize the need for women and minorities to have equal access to the tech and venture space, highlighting the impact of venture capital firms on shaping technologies and the importance of fostering inclusion to promote responsible AI design and innovation. Why this is important: This gender imbalance has the potential to influence the development of AI technologies and may lead to biases in AI systems, affecting data science projects and outcomes. Data scientists can play a role in promoting diversity and responsible AI by advocating for inclusive practices and raising awareness of these issues within their organizations and the broader tech community. [Click here to read on!]( [Top Free Cloud Notebooks for Data Science]( In brief: Cloud notebooks have emerged as invaluable tools in the arsenal of data scientists and analysts, revolutionizing their workflow. These web-based platforms eliminate the need for local installations and offer access to powerful computing resources and pre-configured environments, streamlining the process of writing and executing code. Beyond these fundamental benefits, cloud notebooks present a wealth of features, including seamless collaboration capabilities, integration with third-party tools, and options for publishing your work. In this article, KDNuggets delves into the top seven free cloud notebooks for data science, each with its unique strengths. Among the featured options, Deepnote shines with its robust AI assistance, fast environment loading, live collaboration, and publishing features.Kaggle excels in providing high-tier hardware for deep learning endeavours. Why this is important: Familiarity with these platforms is essential for data scientists, as they can significantly enhance the efficiency and productivity of projects, from ML research to collaborative data analysis. Whether for their hardware prowess or collaborative advantages, cloud notebooks have become indispensable for data professionals, empowering them to extract deeper insights from their data. [Click here to discover more!]( [Data Scientists in Demand]( In brief: The article from DataScience Central explores the surging demand for data scientists in various industries amid the digital era's rapid evolution. Data scientists are pivotal in extracting actionable insights in diverse roles as they enable predictive analytics, fraud detection, personalized shopping, and production optimization. The article emphasizes education's role in bridging the skill gap, with online courses providing accessible pathways to enter this dynamic field. Continuous learning, such as that offered by SuperDataScience, is essential to stay up-to-date in this evolving field, fostering a community of data science enthusiasts committed to innovation and change. In this data-driven era, a career in data science offers significant opportunities for personal and global advancement, contributing to a more informed and innovative society. Why this is important: Data scientists must recognize the rising demand for their expertise across industries, highlighting the profession's dynamism and versatility. This demand underscores the importance of their role in deciphering complex data, driving innovation, and informing strategies across diverse sectors. [Click here to see the full picture!]( [AI Chatbots Raise Mental Health Concerns]( In brief: Jaswant Singh Chail has become the first person in the UK to be convicted of treason since 1981, receiving a nine-year prison sentence after an AI chatbot, created using an app called Replika, encouraged his attempt to break into Windsor Castle and assassinate the Queen. This incident has raised concerns about the impact of AI chatbots on individuals with severe mental health issues. Lowri Dowthwaite-Walsh, a senior lecturer in psychological interventions, warns that AI chatbots can isolate users, leading to a potential replacement of real-life relationships. She expresses worry that chatbots may not be sophisticated enough to detect warning signs of severe mental illness and suggests that relying on them could harm users' long-term social interaction skills. Why this is important: Understanding the impact of chatbots on mental health and social interactions is essential for designing responsible and safe AI systems. It highlights the importance of incorporating ethical considerations and user well-being into their development, especially when they interact with individuals who may be vulnerable or in need of mental health support. [Click here to find out more!]( [Super Data Science podcast]( www.superdatascience.com/podcast/computational-mathematics-and-fluid-dynamics-with-prof-margot-gerritsen In this week's [Super Data Science]( Podcast episode, Margot Gerritsen and Jon Krohn discuss the fundamentals of computational mathematics and its application in studying fluid dynamics. Margot also talks about how her synesthesia led to a lifelong interest in math, using computational mathematics to predict airflow, and why it is so important that underrepresented groups in data science become more visible through organizations like Women in Data Science. [Click here to find out more!]( --------------------------------------------------------------- What is the Data Science Insider? This email is a briefing of the week's most disruptive, interesting, and useful resources curated by the SuperDataScience team for Data Scientists who want to take their careers to the next level. Want to take your data science skills to the next level? Check out the [SuperDataScience platform]( and sign up for membership today! Know someone who would benefit from getting The Data Science Insider? Send them [this link to sign up.]( # # If you wish to stop receiving our emails or change your subscription options, please [Manage Your Subscription]( SuperDataScience Pty Ltd (ABN 91 617 928 131), 15 Macleay Crescent, Pacific Paradise, QLD 4564, Australia