In the age of data and artificial intelligence (AI), data literacy has become an essential skill, not just for data professionals and technologists, but for everyone.
As AI and machine learning integrate deeper into various aspects of our daily lives, from personalised recommendations on streaming platforms to decision-making in businesses, understanding and interpreting data is no longer optional; it’s imperative.
This does not mean everyone needs to be a data scientist, but we do need to progress and grow in our data, analytics, and AI skills.
WHAT IS DATA LITERACY?
Data literacy refers to the ability to read, work with, analyse, and communicate with data. It encompasses an individual’s ability to work with data with confidence and comfort, not needing to advance to be super technical in your skills. In the context of AI, data literacy becomes even more critical as these technologies rely heavily on data to learn, make predictions, and improve over time.
WHO IS JORDAN MORROW?
Jordan Morrow is the Senior Vice President of Data & AI Transformation at AgileOne, and pioneered the Data field by building one of the world’s first Data Literacy programmes.
Learn MoreWHY IS DATA LITERACY IMPORTANT?
Empowered Decision-Making
With data literacy skills, individuals and organisations can make more informed decisions. This is crucial in an AI-driven environment where data-driven insights can reveal trends, patterns, and predictions that would not be apparent otherwise.
Critical Thinking and Scepticism
Data literacy fosters curiosity, one of my three Cs of data literacy. A questioning attitude towards data sources, methodologies, and results is a good thing. This scepticism is vital in an era where AI algorithms can sometimes perpetuate biases or produce misleading outcomes if the underlying data is flawed.
Enhanced Transparency and Trust
Understanding the basics of how AI systems work and the role of data in these systems can demystify AI technologies, leading to greater transparency and trust. This is particularly important in sensitive areas such as healthcare, finance, and legal systems, where AI decisions can have significant impacts.
Innovation and Creativity
Data literacy can spark innovation by enabling individuals to explore and experiment with data in new ways. This can lead to the development of novel decisions or AI applications and solutions that can address complex challenges in society and industry.
Ethical Considerations
A data-literate society is better equipped to navigate the ethical implications of AI. Understanding the nuances of data, including privacy concerns, consent, and bias, is crucial in developing AI technologies that are ethical and fair.
Career Advancement
In the job market, data literacy is increasingly becoming a sought-after skill across various industries, not just in tech-centric roles. As AI continues to transform the workplace, being proficient in data literacy can open up new career opportunities and pathways.
JOIN OUR WEBINAR
Join Jordan via Teams on Tuesday 12th March 2024 at 1:30pm.
The webinar will begin with a clear definition of data literacy, before presenting real-life success stories of businesses that took control of their in-house data skills by engaging with data literacy training.
The examples given will span across different departments, industries, and sectors – so you are guarenteed to leave this section feeling inspired by your businesses growth potential.
To close this engaging section, Jordan will discuss data maturity and invite you to rate your business on the data maturity scale.
Data skills have quickly become one of the UK’s most in-demand business skills. Due to their ability to drive informed decision-making and strategic planning, in today’s data-driven landscape, businesses rely on data to identify trends, assess performance, and make predictions.
In this section, Jordan covers how data skills go beyond error prevention, and employees who can effectively analyse and interpret data contribute to improved decision making processes, increased efficiency, and can boost your market share through enhanced competitiveness.
After making clear the importance of data literacy as a business skill, Jordan will invite you to reflect on your own business and provide advice on how to appropriately assess the level of existing data literacy within your organisation.
The webinar will cover common challenges and obstacles associated with data literacy, and present easy to implement solutions that will ensure your organisation is prepared for the data-driven future.
This section will help you identify what to look for when searching for a succesful data literacy programme, and dive deeper into the positive impact data literacy can have on a core team or department.
One of the hardest parts of implementing workplace training is presenting your case and getting sign off from senior management, so Jordan will cover strategies to ensure you secure senior manager buy-in.
Finally, Jordan will cover the importance of investing in new data skills as well as upskilling existing employees, which promotes long-term, sustainable business growth.
Here you will have exclusive access to the man behind some of the world’s most notable data strategies, working with organisations such as the United Nations and American Express, so this is a fantastic opportunity to get down to the nitty gritty and ask any data literacy or data training questions you might have.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In conclusion, data literacy is not about developing advanced technical skills but helps build a foundation in the age of AI. It empowers individuals and organisations to harness the full potential of data and AI responsibly and ethically.
As we navigate this AI-driven era, fostering a culture of data literacy can be a key to unlocking innovation, ensuring transparency and trust, and making informed decisions for individuals, organisations, and, potentially, society as a whole.