A View on the Future of Data Science: A Q&A with Munzir Abdulmajid

In a world where data is measured in sums that boggle the mind (many outlets report roughly 2.5 quintillion bytes of data is produced per day!), data scientists have their hands full simply pulling coherence out of the digital sea. 

But at Jacobs, our data solutions teammates don’t aspire just to make sense of the stories hidden in the data; they seek to transcend the zeros and ones and contextualize the data to help our clients make strategically sound decisions.

In this Q&A, we connect with one of our data scientists, Munzir Abdulmajid, for his thoughts on the trends and technologies advancing data science today.

Hi, Munzir! Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Jacobs.

I’m a dedicated data scientist at Jacobs. I work on interpreting complex data to inform our projects, leveraging our advanced data sharing platform, Alluvial, to streamline collaboration and decision-making processes.

Can you give us a quick elevator pitch on Alluvial and how it works?

Alluvial is Jacobs' answer to the complexities of data sharing in the modern age. It's an innovative platform that not only facilitates seamless collaboration among stakeholders but does so with the utmost security, ensuring that data exchange is both efficient and protected.

Alluvial allows Jacobs and its clients to securely share data. Why is security of data solutions so important?

Data security is the backbone of trust in any digital solution. For Alluvial, it means protecting sensitive information while providing a reliable foundation for our clients to make decisions without hesitation.

What are some of the trends you’re seeing in data science lately?

Lately, data science is being revolutionized with the rise of generative AI (artificial intelligence) and large language models (LLMs). These technologies are reshaping how we approach data analysis, enabling us to generate new content, automate tasks and derive insights from data at an unprecedented scale. Their ability to understand and produce human-like text is opening up new avenues for innovation in every sector.

What are some of the blockers that slow down adoption of digital and data-driven solutions?

Resistance to change and concerns about data security are major hurdles. There's also a skills gap; not everyone is up to speed with the latest digital tools, which can slow down integration and optimization of these solutions.

How can Jacobs help clients overcome those challenges?

Jacobs supports clients facing digital adoption challenges by being proactive, responsive and thoroughly research-driven. We help navigate new technologies, provide timely assistance to leverage digital and data-driven solutions effectively, and ensure that our clients are equipped with the knowledge and tools to harness the full potential of these innovations for their projects.

Where do you see the data science industry evolving over the next several years?

In the next few years, I foresee the data science industry becoming even more intertwined with generative AI and large language models, allowing us to interpret complex data in revolutionary ways and automate decision-making processes like never before.

What do you enjoy most about being part of #OurJacobs?

What I cherish most about being at Jacobs is the community of innovators and thinkers who share a commitment to excellence. The inspiring atmosphere not only drives my professional growth but also aligns with my personal values of innovation and collaboration.