It is no secret that data science is a dynamic and engaging field to work in – it sits at the leading edge of how industries, governments, and societies make use of technology.
One of the most exciting aspects of data science is the speed at which it evolves. This in turn challenge data experts to constantly learn as well, to ensure they can confidently navigate new processes, trends, and tools.
We want to explore some notable patterns and shifts in the world of data science and the opportunities they could open for professionals in the field.
1. More data-driven customer experiences
The need to use consumer data to shape more personalised, streamlined processes is only going to increase in coming years.
This will be particularly true in ecommerce, to help ensure there are as few obstacles as possible in a customer’s journey towards purchasing and using a product.
Artificial intelligence (AI) will likely play a key role in this transformation as well. From AI agents to chatbots, these tools will be able to better utilise data to bring greater efficiency to customer interfaces.
2. Python’s growing dominance
Python is currently the highest rated programming language across the world, with no sign of it losing that ranking just yet.
Plus, Python tutorials are the most searched for language tutorials on Google – further indicating its immense popularity.
As a result of this, we can expect to see more applications created with Python across a range of contexts. Of course, this includes the arena of data analysis, where many would argue it is already the leading choice for subject specialists.
Looking for data science skills you can apply immediately to the workplace? Southampton Data Science Academy short courses are tutor-led and use real-life case studies:
3. Challenges and opportunities with deepfakes
While deepfakes (also known as synthetic media) have primarily made the news for negative reasons – often involving unauthorised recreations of a person’s likeness – AI-generated media might find itself gaining recognition in a few different ways moving forward.
Deepfake technology could find more use in medicine, from multiplying data sets to help pattern-matching systems learn how to recognise infrequently photographed forms of cancer, to helping hospitals create true-to-life patient data for testing without putting actual people at risk.
Similarly, synthetic human anatomy or specialistic machinery could be simulated in mixed-reality environments to help professionals train across a range of fields.
4. The era of cloud-native solutions
The rise of cloud-based environments only increased in speed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and companies across the world are continuing to invest in cloud-based solutions as they future proof their organisational structure.
Now employees can work from anywhere while still being able to securely access company data, project files, and other documents.
With the growing adoption of cloud-native solutions for analytics as well, organisations will be able to avoid being tied down to physical infrastructures for a far more flexible alternative.
5. Heightened demand for data experts
Unsurprisingly, the advancements being made in data science translates to an ever-growing need for data specialists.
For example, as organisations increasingly rely on big data to improve their systems and services, data analysts will play a vital role in identifying insights and feeding into business decisions.
Data scientists are another facing more demand than supply; the role is currently ranked by Glassdoor as the #2 best job to have in the US. In the UK, the role also ranks highly at #17, followed closely by data engineers at #20.
Considering a career in data science? Our six-week, online data science courses are tutor led and can be completed part time, empowering you to study while working full time.
If you would like to learn more about the course content and the support you will receive, please reach out to our course adviser team.