Welcoming the new generation of data science, engineering, and AI professionals at The Data Lab Academy

Gala gave the keynote speech, on 'Entrepreneurial Spirit’ at a The Data Lab Academy event in Scotland, to welcome its new AY 24/25 cohort of students.

She presented alongside an engaging group of speakers and organisers including Data Lab Academy Alumni Geremy Bantug (ML Engineer, NatWest Group), Stella Telford (Data Analyst, Research Data Scotland) and Calum MacCormak (PhD student), and partners including Talan, Wheatley Group, The Scottish Government, Lloyds Banking Group, Blend, Research Data Scotland) and members of the wider Scottish AI Alliance/The Data Lab Community.

(Photo Source: The Data Lab)

Gala’s talk drew on her wider experiences and her time working in startups as she spoke directly to the  next generation of data science, engineering, and AI professionals particularly around the field of geospatial (within data science), about learning to code, and about choosing the right risks to take.

She said: ‘It was so rewarding to speak to so many students excited about technology! In particular, I had a grounding conversation with a student asking me about how to push through the adversity in our field, with the lack of accessibility of events/jobs/all things.’

(Photo Source: The Data Lab)

The Data Lab Academy includes students from across Scotland, representing 30 different data and AI courses at 13 partner universities. Its programme covers ethics, employability training, networking, pathways in R&D, entrepreneurship and technical skills and its own Innovation Challenge. 

At diagonalWorks we are keen to build our networks and connections, including with those at the start of their careers. We hope to inspire others to join us in working towards  positive and inclusive place building and collaborative data science approaches to urban planning.

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