The Future of Data Science in the Age of COVID-19

Data science is appreciated for being a profound field that uses scientific methods, multiple processes, several algorithms to extract knowledge and insights from structural and unstructured data.

Data science is related to data mining, machine learning and big data.

Let us break it down for you.

First off, data mining is the practice of analyzing large databases to generate new information. For example, mobile service providers employ data mining to design their marketing campaigns. They do so with the help a large amount of data such as billing information, emails, web data transmissions, and customer service. This enables them to retain their customers by keeping them interested, entertained and satisfied.

Secondly, machine learning is the study of computer algorithms that improve automatically through experience. This means that a mathematical model is built based on sample/training data to make predictions or decisions such as spam detection or credit card fraud.

Finally, big data is known to be a significantly large set of data that may be analyzed computationally to reveal patterns, trends, and associations. Especially relating to human behaviour and interactions.

In easier words, data science is the art of figuring out what the problem is, and then using the information available by applying mathematics in the form of algorithms to bring forth the best solution possible. For example, let’s say you want to take a road trip because you’re stressed out. You feel like giving up. But, you’re not so sure whether you have the appropriate resources required or not. So you will then calculate how much money you have, how much money you’ll be needing, the amount of fuel it will take to get there from where you are right now and which route would work best. It is also essential to be aware of whether you have the time and energy to go forward with it in the first place, e.g. paid leaves to take an off from you’re demanding job.

In today’s world, the problem that we need solutions to is the spread of the infamous and infectious Coronavirus, which has infected millions of people worldwide since its outbreak in 2019. It has forced millions of others to restrain themselves from going out whether it’s for an educational purpose, doing your job or just to grab a coffee with a friend. Since it’s not possible to do any of these things anymore without endangering yourself with the risk of procuring the virus. So how are data scientists working towards figuring out the solution to this problem?

Well, for starters, the hand of data science is being used to paint an accurate picture of coronavirus outcomes. 

To solve the problem, we must first understand the problem, to do so the people who are working towards saving the world from this pandemic must get correct and up-to-date information about how the coronavirus situation changes day by day.

Quite a few institutions, such as IBM, Tableau and John Hopkins University, have released databases that provide real-time views of what’s going on with the Coronavirus. Many of these sources pull from data provided by trusted bodies such as the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). They also include direct links to those places so that the world has more access to reliable information.

Using such databases can keep people informed of the number of confirmed cases, fatalities and recoveries. Then, whether a person is fighting the battle with Coronavirus themselves or just a concerned citizen making an attempt to stay informed; they can get all or most of the information they need in one place.

Not only that, but data scientists have also designed a more comfortable and quick way to understand contact tracing for the Coronavirus.

Contact tracing is an effective way to kick back the escalation of the Coronavirus.

It’s basically about informing a person’s close contacts after that individual tests positive for the virus and telling them to self-isolate to slow the spread of the disease. Even though contact tracing can be quite a long-drawn-out process as it consumes a lot of time, it is getting easier as more people take social distancing seriously.

Data scientists and medical experts gathered together at Oxford University to make contact tracing even easier. The experts working on the project revealed how mathematical models enabled them to get past traditional methods of contact tracing, which aren’t fast enough to thoroughly slow the spread of COVID-19. So, they created a mobile phone-based solution to eliminate the need for people to call the contacts manually because everyone suspicious of carrying the virus would simply get a text alert to self-isolate.

Although receiving a text alert saying you could be positive for the Coronavirus could be absolutely terrifying, it’s way better than not being informed at all.

That’s not where our scientific heroes stop, there’s more. Data scientists have figured out a way to track the spread of the Coronavirus. 

Data scientists have discovered and decided that graph databases play a crucial part in displaying how COVID-19 really spreads. A graph database can divulge the connection between people, places or things. This enables us to understand the relationship between each of these entities and the Coronavirus (if there is one) further assisting us in knowing what we should and should not do to stay safe, now where would we really be if it weren’t for our knights in shining lab coats with their magical computers? To be honest, I don’t really know as data scientists have worked infinitely hard and very smartly to control the situation that the Coronavirus inflicted upon the whole world.

So, how has Covid ’19 affected data science as a field? What does the future look like for its experts? The Coronavirus is still around to visit and that too, with an unfortunate plan to stay, so we must find out. 

The truth is that; data science might be the key to making the economy great again.

What this means is that data science will continue to play a vital role in helping many businesses recover, not only in the field of technology but outside that criteria as well by creating appropriate algorithms to solve the problems that have arisen due to Covid ’19. In fact, we would go as far as to say that it isn’t data scientists who need our money. Still, it’s all of us who need their help- not just to make the economy function normally again but also to survive.

When we talk about the future for data science, it is imperative to acknowledge and understand that our future depends on it. Data science is the centre of the universe that we live in today. We cannot even estimate the number of problems that it solves for us, which is why it becomes all the more obvious why data science as a field that will continue to excel.

The opportunities that have always presented themselves for new students who decide to pursue data science as a career remain undented by the attack of Covid ’19. In fact, there is a greater need in the market for data analysts, machine learning experts, data engineers and data scientists because with each passing day the world that we live in is encountering new problems which need accurate solutions.

However, a problem that data scientists working in separate fields (such as retail) could face as a consequence of the outbreak of the Coronavirus could be the lack of information or data regarding the change in trends. This could occur due to altered consumer behaviour after the pandemic– which can thankfully be solved over time when new data will be discovered and be updated. Apart from the small setbacks that Covid ’19 has caused in every field, this is about it.

After all, data scientists use their thinking skills and cognitive competency to make a living, and as the saying goes-

“Never underestimate the power of thought; it is the greatest path to discovery.”

–Idowu Koyenikan, Wealth for All: Living a Life of Success at the Edge of Your Ability.