What if a chatbot wrote this post?
Meet Alexander, a data scientist at VEON, and get insights on the transition from academia to industry (as well as some cool updates on chatbots)
A chatbot is writing this post. It is typing the words you see on this page.
That would be incredible, wouldn’t it? Actually, a person is writing this post. Still, the idea is cool. And it’s a lot closer to happening that you would think.
Indeed, there is potential for technology to transform anything and everything. It’s innovations like this that motivate Alexander, a data scientist here at VEON. In this interview, we learn more about what brought him into the data science field and all the cool work he is doing now. Let’s get to it.
You’re working on a chatbot solution. What is the potential of this as a customer service tool now that data is playing a bigger role?
Chatbots are really incredible things. Because of all the information available and advancing technology systems,chatbots are becoming more efficient at customer service. They are getting better at dealing with customers. We’re using neural networks to help chatbots better connect with customers. The chatbot can use the information it has to personalize conversations with customers. I’m excited to see what we can create with chatbots here at VEON.
Can we hear more about the Data School at Beeline Russia? You came in first place, right?
Every three months, we have a course at our data school. Around 20 people participate from different companies, and it’s quite hard to get in. You have to take part in several projects during the course. You have to find ways to utilize data and solve problems. You have to do test analysis, social network analysis, NLP ( Natural language processing), graph and image analysis, scoring, churning, and so much other stuff. We also participate in Kaggle competitions. It’s really a great course because you learn how to better apply what you’re learning to real issues. Also, you get to connect with some of the greatest talents in data science. The innovations coming out of the Beeline Data School are truly amazing.
What was the most interesting project that you worked on?
It was the final competition. We worked with datasets on teachers in American schools. We had to understand this data and classify it according to the insights we extracted. A lot of approaches didn’t work during this project, so I really had to try many methods. Luckily, my knowledge of feature engineering helped me finish the task.
What things inspire and motivate you?
I really like the book by the founder of VEON, Dmitry Zimin. The book is so inspiring. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson has also been very influential in my life.
I also like to listen to music while I work. Fast techno and trance music helps me concentrate, and really go deeper into the data. I really like the stuff from Full Face and also Hellquist. Their music puts me in the zone. Actually, let’s play them right now!
Why did you choose to become a data scientist?
After graduating with a degree in Mathematics from university, I decided to continue my education. I obtained a PHD in Medical Statistics, where I analyzed the likelihood of diseases. So it was really my studies and interests that led me to the role. Here at VEON, I have the opportunity to analyze data and put it to work. It’s neat to see my work in action.
There you have it. Alexander’s story tells us how our interests in school can take us into exciting fields. When we learn, it’s vital to understand how that knowledge can be used to enact positive change. His work with chatbots is proof that data science is elevating all sorts of industries to the next level.
