Georgetown Data Science Conference “The Evolution of Data Science”

Presented by the M.S. Data Science and Analytics Program (DSAN)

Register Here

Conference Overview

The goal of this conference is to bring together researchers, students, and professionals from academic, industrial, and governmental communities, to discuss the “Evolution of Data Science”. This includes considerations of the field’s past, present, and future directions, with an emphasis on the latest trends, innovations, and challenges. This will be a collaborative event that includes several universities in the DMV area. Local Data Science programs include:

  • American University
  • George Washington University
  • George Mason University
  • Georgetown University
  • Old Dominion University
  • University of Virginia
  • Virginia Commonwealth University

The conference will include four main discussion panels, a speaker series, and a poster session, providing a platform for attendees to engage with the latest research and industry trends. The following is a small description of the main discussion panels.

Conference Schedule

Call for Poster Session Abstracts

We invite students to submit an abstract of your research or project for consideration in the Poster Session.

Why Participate:

  • Gain valuable experience in presenting your work in a professional setting.
  • Receive feedback and insights from experts and peers.
  • Network with fellow students, researchers, and industry professionals.
  • Showcase your contributions to the evolving field of data science.

How to Submit:

Please submit your Poster using this Abstract Submission LINK by Aug 30th 2023 11.59pm ET. Selected participants will be notified by Sep 2nd 2023 and will be provided with further instructions on preparing their posters.

Registration Information:

Please note that all participants in the Poster Session are required to register for the conference. As a presenting student, you will receive a discounted registration rate of $50. This will grant you access to all conference sessions, panels, and networking opportunities.

Discussion Panel Summaries

September 8th, 2023

Day One: Evolution of Data Science

Panel 1: Academics and the Evolution of Data Science

The conversation in this panel will focus on how universities can modify their Data Science curricula to adapt to the continuous evolution of the field. Possible topics include the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to education, hands-on experience, tools and techniques, ethics and privacy, enhancing students’ soft skills, etc.

Discussion topics include:

  • The Importance of a multidisciplinary approach to education: One of the most significant changes in the curriculum is the multidisciplinary approach to data science.
  • Hands-on Experience: Another important change is the emphasis on hands-on experience. Programs now include projects, internships, and capstone courses where students can apply their skills in real-world settings.
  • Tools and Techniques: Curricula include a wide range of tools and methods that are used in data science, data visualization tools, digital data storytelling, and cloud computing platforms. The discussion may focus on how these have evolved and what new trends may emerge.
  • Ethics and Privacy: With the increasing use of data in decision-making, ethics, and privacy have become important considerations in data science. As a result, programs now include courses on ethical considerations in data science and privacy issues related to data collection and use.
  • Enhancing students’ soft skills: In Data Science, collaboration is key. Therefore, it is crucial to develop students’ soft skills, including teamwork, communication, leadership, digital data storytelling, and the general ability to present their findings in a clear, engaging way to any audience.

Panel 2: Past, Present, and Future of AI

This panel focuses on recent changes and advances in the field of AI. Topics may include, but are not limited to, generative AI, Einstein GPT, and Chat GPT, government regulation of these technologies, ramifications of modern AI for society, what is the future of AI, what do these changes mean from both academic and industrial perspectives.

Discussion topics include:

  • Past: A brief discussion of the three epochs of Deep Learning. Importance of government funding, fascinating trends in hardware, fascinating trends in open source science.
  • Present: What makes these new foundational models different than the way things used to be, entity extraction training supervised models, how to leverage them in the future, and how Amazon and Microsoft are rapidly jumping into the new paradigm. How can we use these tools to augment and accelerate our workflows, how can we use them responsibly as professional tools, etc?
  • Future: What’s next? What are likely short-term, and long-term, challenges and advances on the horizon?

Panel 3: Industry View of the Evolution of Data Science

Topics may include, but are not limited to; organizations of all sizes recognizing the value of data-driven decision-making, the increasing use of big data, how these tools help businesses make informed decisions, improve customer experiences, and increasing growth; use of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) in industry. For example, some businesses are using AI-powered chatbots to improve customer service, while others are using machine learning to analyze customer behavior and optimize marketing campaigns.

As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative uses of data science, leading to improved business performance, greater efficiency, and better outcomes for customers.

September 9th, 2023

Day Two: Evolution of Blockchain: Past, Present, and Future

Presentation 1: The Importance of Social Impact for Blockchain

Blockchain’s potential in societal advancement brings enhanced transparency, empowerment, and inclusivity. As this technology continues to evolve and integrate into various sectors, its influence becomes more profound. However, with its ascent come significant ethical challenges. It’s crucial to understand and address these concerns to ensure responsible adoption. This talk seeks to navigate the intricate balance between blockchain innovation and its ethical ramifications.

Presentation 2: Blockchain Beyond Crypto

This talk will explore how blockchain technology has transformed from its beginnings as a decentralized ledger for cryptocurrency transactions to its current role as a transformative force in industries ranging from finance to healthcare. Through a historical lens, we will examine the key milestones, challenges, and innovations that have propelled the evolution of blockchain and discuss the implications for the future of technology and society at large.

Panel 4: Future of Blockchain for Social Impact

Potential discussion topics include:

  • How can blockchain technology be leveraged to improve transparency and accountability in social impact initiatives?
  • What are the ethical considerations surrounding the use of blockchain in social impact, particularly regarding privacy and data ownership?
  • How can blockchain be used to incentivize and reward socially responsible behavior, and what are the challenges in implementing such systems?