Author: Jeffrey C. Oliver, Torbet McNeil
Publisher: Insider
Publication Year: 2021
Summary: The following article discusses how the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says job opportunities in data science will grow by 15% by 2029, and as a result, the number of students and programs centering around data science is growing as well. However, out of the degree programs Business Insider investigated, only 50% of them required any coursework in ethics. With so many real-world examples of data and algorithm misuse, it is more important than ever to make sure data scientists entering the work force are properly trained to handle sensitive information. Oliver and McNeil believe explicit training in ethical practices would better prepare a socially responsible data science workforce. With data science being such a new field, the question of how much training should be expected arises. The National Academies recommend training in 10 areas, including ethical problem solving, communication, and data management. In the future, the authors recommend investigating the pressures that might be driving curriculum development of data scientists.