On Thursday, July 11th, 2024, National College of Ireland proudly hosted the Data Science Wizards Enterprise AI Symposium. This exciting event brought together innovative thinkers and visionaries for an evening of ideas and transformative learning. The theme of the evening was all about how we can continually look forward and embrace the ways that AI can foster growth in crucial areas of industry. 

Attendees had the opportunity to hear from of the top voices of AI in Ireland, including experts renowned for their fostering of business growth with AI-driven innovation in areas such as enterprise, banking, technology, and insurance. The impressive speaker line-up included Prag Sharma, Global Head AI Centre of Excellence, Citi Group, Vincent McGrady, Head of Data & Performance, Bank of Ireland, Marco Blasio, Technology Partner Architect for Data & Artificial Intelligence, IBM Ecosystems Ireland, Andrew Marsh, Technology Business Development, IBM Research and Philip Comerford, Lead AI Business Research, Huawei Ireland Research Centre. These brilliant speakers were followed by a Panel moderated by Victor del Rosal, AI Evangelist. The event ended with a networking session.

At National College of Ireland, we were thrilled to host this innovative symposium in our new Spencer Dock Building. It is a bright, modern space, perfect for coming together and discussing new ways of moving forward. We look forward to more learning and growth in our new space. 

“This symposium will strengthen the data science and AI community, leveraging enterprise insights to foster innovation and skill growth in the evolving Irish market." ~ Sandeep K, Founder and CEO of Data Science Wizards. 

Why Was This Event Significant?
The inaugural Data Science Wizards Enterprise AI Symposium set out to elaborate on how Enterprises can smoothly adopt AI, break the associated barriers, and accelerate to production predictably, at scale.

"We are bringing together the brightest minds in AI to drive innovation and propel businesses forward. Harnessing the power of AI is essential to unlock new potentials and transform industries.” ~ Pritesh Tiwari, DSW’s Founder and Chief Data Scientist. 

During this impressive evening of collaboration and innovation, several key ideas stood out. AI will transform how we operate, but people still have power in the process. When looking at how AI can be used, it was also noted that we have huge power in deciding when AI should be used. It is also important to understand and acknowledge the limitations so that we know what AI cannot do. AI can be used in numerous ways, and it may serve some industries better than others.

“The Enterprise AI Symposium showcased Ireland’s progressive AI landscape, with enterprises rapidly adopting deep tech technologies to stay ahead. The remarkable turnout of attendees reflected the widespread enthusiasm and commitment to AI-driven transformation." ~ Sandhya Oza, Co-Founder and Chief Project Officer at DSW. 

Some interesting observations from the evening noted how the Banking Industry is an early adopter of modern technology because customers yearn for a personalised experience. In Banking, if used appropriately, AI can increase banking operation efficiencies, enhance security, and regulatory compliances. The different forms of adaptation and exploring how people adapt differently was another standout point. It was noted that the younger generation tends to be more accepting and open to the use of AI. This is because they have grown up in an ever-increasingly digital environment. The use of technology and incorporating AI feels like natural progression for the young generation, because there has always been a digital presence in their lives, in all areas from study to play. The broad range of subjects covered made for an admirable evening of fascinating presentations that gave us insights into the minds of AI pioneers. 

"Generative AI is a game-changer, creating human-like intelligence accessible on demand, similar to cloud computing. This enables not only operational efficiencies but also entirely new business models. As highlighted by our panellists, the transformative power of AI lies in its ability to personalise experiences, democratise skills, and revolutionise industries through innovation and collaboration."  ~ Victor del Rosal, Panel Moderator

Who Are Data Science Wizards? 
Data Science Wizards (DSW) is a pioneering AI innovation company behind the forefront UnifyAI platform. This company enables enterprises to quickly build AI-powered business use cases and seamlessly transition from experimentation to production with reliability and scale.

What is UnifyAI?
UnifyAI seamlessly navigates every stage from data integration to deployment and monitoring. This platform offers an efficient and predictable pathway to AI adoption across industries. Whether in Insurance, Banking, Retail, or Manufacturing, UnifyAI tailors AI adoption to meet business-specific needs.

Learn More About Data Science Wizards

Originally formed as team to compete in National College of Ireland’s AI Hackathon a group of MSc in Data Analytics graduates came together to form Data Science Wizards (DSW). DSW were supported by NCI’s Knowledge Transfer and Commercialisation Team, and they were championed in their early development and growth by NCI’s Business Incubation Centre. The NCI Business Incubation Centreis in the heart of the IFSC. It is home to several knowledge-intensive start-up companies operating in areas of finance, learning technology industries, and education. At National College of Ireland, we are committed to creating and developing stronger links between academia and industry. This is a crucial step forwards and considered to be a core step towards the development of Ireland’s knowledge intensive economy. The NCI Business Incubation Centre aims to support the development of research projects that will continually grow, always striving to maximise commercial income. Enterprise has become a key element of the curriculum, and at NCI, students can engage with enterprise and entrepreneurship while they are studying. Collaboration is the way forward, and we are proud of the industry links that are continually being nurtured at National College of Ireland. 

Read More About NCI'S Business Incubation Centre

In November 2023, Data Science Wizards were announced the winner of the Best Application of AI in a Startup category at the 2023 AI Awards 
Since then, Data Science Wizards have continued to thrive, and they have earned more amazing accolades. Notably, in January 2024, they won Furthr PitchJam, and the company is now listed among the top ten AI Companies in Dublin. It is extremely rewarding to see NCI graduates thrive as they move beyond college and step into various industry sectors. The overall goal of the MSc in Data Analytics programme is to provide graduates with essential research and development skills in Data Analytics. This course aims to naturally foster a deeper knowledge of the subject area and create transferable skills for work such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creative thinking, communication, teamwork, and research skills. The course is completely delivered by faculty and industry practitioners with proven expertise in data analytics. 

Read More About NCI’S MSc in Data Analytics Programme 

"Entrepreneurship is a core value of NCI, overseen by our Vice President, Professor Jimmy Hill. We have a visionary Dean of the School of Computing in Professor Paul Stynes, who leads a team of exceptional lecturers, and an extremely helpful commercialisation office, led by Bertie Kelly. Add brilliant and motivated students into that mix and you have the ingredients that ignited DSW's skyrocketing success." ~ Dr Anu Sahni, Programme Director of the MSc in Data Science, and DSW Advisor. 

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