Anahita Zardoshti is an insurance graduate at Lloyd's insurance market, based in London. She's completed the Lloyd's and Southampton Data Science Academy Fundamentals of Data Science (Technical) course and is currently studying on the Fundamentals of AI for Business course.
We spoke to Anahita about why she wanted to enhance her AI and data science skills, how she's applying the learnings in her current role at Lloyd's, and how she feels the training will impact her career.
Tell us a bit about yourself – what's your background and where are you based?
I studied physics at the University of Manchester and decided to join the rotational graduate scheme at Lloyd’s insurance market after finishing my degree. I have spent 9 months in the International Reporting team, 3 months in the Innovation team, and I am currently on a secondment in the Lloyd's market, in the Data and Analytics team of a brokerage.
Why did you decide to do the Lloyd’s training?
I decided to do the Lloyd’s training because I am interested in learning new skills and potentially pursuing a career in data science. I believe that the skills you gain from this course are becoming ever more important in the field of insurance and I want to be at the forefront of the coming data revolution in this industry.
Why is it important for insurance professionals to enhance their data science and AI skills? Is the impact of data science and AI on the industry growing?
It’s vital because the future of the insurance industry, like many other industries, will be dominated by technologies that require knowledge and use of such skills.
We are heading towards an increasingly data-centric world, where the understanding of data science and AI techniques will be hugely beneficial to the operations of most professionals in this field. To not engage with such skills poses the risk of being left out of the coming data revolution.
Have you been able to apply the skills and knowledge you’ve learned to your current role?
I've been able to apply all the skills and knowledge I gained from the courses in the data and analytics team that I’m currently in. My work involves using Python in JupyterHub and engaging with all aspects of the data science pipeline, from data management and analysis to data visualisation.
I wouldn’t have been able to perform my current role as well (or at all) without the skills I gained from these courses, particularly the Fundamentals of Data Science (Technical) course. Considering I didn’t even know what an API was before taking this course, it has definitely opened up new doors for me and has allowed me to pursue a career path I didn’t believe was available to me when I started my graduate scheme.
Do you think the training will help you in your future career?
I believe this training has laid the foundations for my future career. After taking these courses, I have developed a greater appreciation and interest for the fields of data science and AI. I am sure that the skills I have gained will serve me well in whatever path I decide to follow in the insurance industry.
Would you recommend the courses to other insurance professionals?
I would 100% recommend these courses to other insurance professionals. Gaining an understanding of data science and AI techniques, even if you are not interested in pursuing a career in this field, is extremely important.
In a future where many decisions and processes will be guided by AI, and where most professionals will be working alongside these algorithms in some capacity, it is paramount to understand the capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations of these technologies, so that you can be involved in their implementation and get the best out of what they have to offer.
Lloyd's has partnered with the Southampton Data Science Academy (at the University of Southampton) to offer data science and artificial intelligence training courses for Lloyd's insurance marketplace professionals:
