Data Science Insider: February 9th , 2024

In This Week’s SuperDataScience Newsletter: Data Scientist's Climate Optimism Sparks Hope. Essential Data Science Insights. Google Unveils Gemini. Excel Neural Network: Practical ML Basics. AI Toddler Breakthrough. 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. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Data Scientist's Climate Optimism Sparks Hope]( brief: Data scientist Hannah Ritchie, once a doomist regarding climate change, now sees hope. Ritchie, a senior researcher at Oxford and deputy editor at Our World In Data, attributes her shift to data-driven optimism. She believes it's not too late for action. Drawing parallels with past environmental successes like the ozone layer and acid rain, Ritchie sees signs of progress, from declining air pollution to peak emissions. She emphasizes the importance of technological innovation, particularly in renewable energy. Ritchie acknowledges challenges, like resistance from fossil fuel industries and global energy poverty. Yet, she remains hopeful, citing the collective effort of diverse professionals working towards a greener future. Despite uncertainties, she finds optimism in the growing community dedicated to environmental solutions. Why this is important: Ritchie's journey and perspective underscores the role of data in shaping not only individual beliefs but also societal attitudes towards climate change. By recognizing the potential for positive change through data analysis, data scientists can contribute to fostering optimism and driving impactful solutions in the fight against climate crisis. [Click here to learn more!]( [Essential Data Science Insights]( brief: Entering the data science field requires essential skills in collecting, organizing, and analyzing data, particularly in business settings. This Fortune article explores crucial skills, job opportunities, and educational programs, emphasizing distinctions between data science, analytics, and computer science. To aid decision-making, Fortune ranks top master's in data science programs for 2024. Interviews with industry experts reveal the pivotal role of data in technological evolution and business strategy, emphasizing the significance of foundational mathematical concepts, programming proficiency, and real-world application of skills. Mastery of foundational mathematical concepts, programming proficiency, and real-world application of skills are essential for success in the field. Additionally, effective communication, curiosity, and storytelling skills are crucial for driving business decisions and creating meaningful insights from data. Why this is important: These insights combined with support from SuperDataScience will help you reach your potential and data science goals. [Click here to read on!]( [Google Unveils Gemini]( brief: Google has rebranded Bard, its AI chatbot and assistant, to Gemini, alongside a new app launch and subscription options. Gemini, competing with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, reflects Google’s dedication to advancing AI assistants. The rebrand emphasizes direct interaction with AI models. Android users gain a dedicated app, while iPhone users access Gemini within the Google app. Google introduced a $19.99/month subscription for Gemini Ultra 1.0 via Google One, offering advanced AI capabilities. Initially available in English, Gemini plans to expand soon. The rebrand extends to Duet AI, now Gemini for Workspace and Gemini for Google Cloud. Google aims to enhance Gemini’s contextual understanding for tasks like email responses and file suggestions, envisioning broader functionalities like group scheduling and outbound sales support. Why this is important: The rebrand signifies advancements in AI technology and its integration into various platforms. This shift opens avenues for leveraging advanced AI models like Gemini Ultra 1.0, potentially enhancing data analysis, automation, and productivity within data science workflows. [Click here to discover more!]( [Excel Neural Network: Practical ML Basics]( In brief: Building a neural network in Excel offers insight into fundamental ML concepts. This guide from Datamation outlines six steps to construct a basic model, demonstrating the core principles of neural networks. From setting up training data to fine-tuning weights, each step elucidates key components of the process. While Excel may not suffice for complex tasks, it serves educational purposes, aiding in understanding neural network mechanics. The guide offers a hands-on approach to grasping fundamental ML concepts and underscores the versatility of Excel as a tool for data analysis and modeling, expanding the range of techniques available for solving real-world problems. Although specialized tools like TensorFlow offer scalability, Excel provides a practical starting point for aspiring data scientists. Why this is important: Ultimately, this exercise demystifies ML, laying a foundation for deeper exploration into AI and data science. [Click here to see the full picture!]( [AI Toddler Breakthrough]( In brief: China's BIGAI has introduced Tong Tong, the world's first AI toddler, imbued with emotional intelligence akin to a three- to four-year-old child. Developed at the Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence, Tong Tong learns autonomously and exhibits human-like behaviours, including emotional engagement and response. Capable of recognizing and expressing emotions like happiness and sadness, Tong Tong interacts with visitors, showcasing skills such as tidying and conversing. According to BIGAI, Tong Tong aims to comprehend human common sense and shape the future. Director Zhu Songchun emphasizes the necessity for AI to master diverse tasks and define new ones independently, suggesting a pathway towards general artificial intelligence. Amid concerns about rogue AI, Tong Tong's complexity prompts reflection on integration possibilities with humans. Why this is important: Understanding Tong Tong's capabilities and potential implications is crucial for exploring new avenues in AI research and development, including enhancing human-computer interactions, cognitive computing, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI integration into society. [Click here to see the full picture!]( [Super Data Science podcast]( In this week's [Super Data Science Podcast]( episode, beer brewer and Super Data Science regular listener Beau Warren talks to Jon Krohn about the wonders of “sweaty ales”, how to brew beer with data, and how to get started on creative machine learning projects even without a degree 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? 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