Data is the gold of the 21st century – but we are still far from using its full potential. We were communication & moderation partner of the 6th Swiss Conference on Data Science, where over 440 data scientists, decision-makers, entrepreneurs and innovators met to discuss the latest developments in the field of data science and to shape the future together. Our key take away: Data offers us an enormous range of opportunities – but if we neglect the human factor, our endeavors will fail.

A thin line between pleasant and uncomfortable

In the first of two keynote speeches, Aleksandra Przegalinska, Research Fellow at the Center for Collective Intelligence at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), discussed the importance of AI for existing and future user interfaces. Particularly interesting was her demonstration of the so called «uncanny valley»: if a system, for example a chatbot, is too human-like, it can create eeriness and is not well received among users. So there is a thin line between a system which is responsive to us in way that is still perceived as pleasant and a system which makes us truly uncomfortable.

Aleksandra Przegalinska

Data is worth is weight in gold – but you need to keep in mind the human factor

The second keynote speaker at the event was Ken Hughes, the world's leading Consumer & Shopper Behaviouralist, who provided an impressive insight into how communication and customer relationships have changed in the data age – we gradually have shifted from an age of typing over the age of clicking and swiping to the age of voice, which will dominate user interfaces of the future. But all technology aside – anyone who neglects the human factor, will fail. Robots, often used as novelty, will most likely only substitute humans in situations, where human interaction adds no value.

Ken Hughes

Inspire. Interact. Innovate.

At interactive sessions and roundtables, the participants of SDS 2019 explored trends, innovations and new technologies for the development of data-based services, products and business models. As befits an innovation community, the exchange between data scientists, decision-makers and innovators was given high priority. Because potential for synergies and innovation can precisely be identified and exploited where industry and science overlap.

Aileen Zumstein and Christoph Heitz, President of the Swiss Alliance on Data-Intensive Services

Aileen Zumstein and Gundula Heinatz, Managing Director of the Swiss Alliance on Data-Intensive Services

It was a pleasure to take part in this outstanding conference as communication and moderation partner and get to access to the latest developments and trends in Data Science.

Pictures: Beat Mumenthaler https://www.beatmumenthaler.com