DataLab by Datacamp— Best AI Tool for Data Analysis? Is it really worth it?

Datalab is a great AI tool to help anyone extract valuable insights from their data. Datalab is like chatting with an experienced data analyst!

image_creit — Datacamp

Hello guys, when I was learning Data Analysis and Data Science, one of the big problem I faced was not having access to real world data during learning.

While the online courses and platforms like Datacamp are great for interactive learning and small coding exercises, they often lack exposure to real world data which could really test your skills and give you a job like experience.

But, not any more. …

Datacamp has launched a new thing called DataLab which you can not just to learn how to analyze data using AI but also can use for your real business.

You can just bring your data, upload to DataLab and start using AI to generate useful insights. It’s like live chat with an experienced Data Analyst.

If you an experienced Data Anlayst then you can also use DataLab to run your own code. You will not only see the result but also see the insights and review the code which AI will generate, that can boost your learning.

This also means that DataLab is a great tool for any Data Anlayst, Data Scientist and Data Professionals as you can bring your data and run analysis faster . You can even run complex analysis which would be hard to code with the help of AI.

If you are an experienced data professional you can use Datalab as a data notebook and run your own codes, but if you’re not experienced yet you can use Datalab to chat with your data and get the info you need like if you were sitting down with a data analyst.

If you are wondering what if I don’t have real world data then don’t worry? DataLab also comes with ready-to-use data sets which you can use for Data Analysis, making it the perfect tool to go from learning data science to doing data science.

It is also an in-browser tool, which means you don’t need to download and install any software and you can start analyzing data in under 5 seconds

In this article, let’s find out what is DataLab, what value does it provide and how you can use it for learning Data Analysis and Data Science as well as for actually analyzing your data. Though, if you cannot wait, just go and explore DataLab now, its live already

By the way, you need a plan to access DataLab. They have different plans like starter (Free) and Premium. The free plan offers you the ability to create up to three workbooks and use 20 GPT-4 prompts. It also includes collaboration features, 4GB of RAM, and 2 virtual CPUs, with version history maintained for up to thirty days.

On the other hand, the premium plan, now available for just $5 (previously $9), provides unlimited workbooks and GPT-4 prompts, enhanced collaboration capabilities, and significantly upgraded performance with 16GB of RAM and 8 virtual CPUs.

This plan also extends version history to one year and increases the file storage limit to 20GB, compared to the 5GB storage limit of the free plan. If you are a power user and have lot of data and team, then I this plan is better suited for you.

What is DataLab?

I already explained what is DataLab but in case you don’t get it.

Datalab is like an online IDE that allows you to write code, analyze data collaboratively, and share your data insights.

One of the best thing about DataLab is that it comes with ready-to-use data sets to analyze, making it the perfect tool to go from learning data science to doing data science.

DataLab is also aversatile data notebook that combines the power of generative AI with a user-friendly interface. It allows you to “chat with your data,” providing a seamless experience for data analysis and reporting.

Here is how DataLab works:

8 Reasons to Join DataLab

Here are some of its standout features of DataLab which you can use to not just analyze your data but also learn about Data Analysis.

1. Generative AI Integration
   DataLab leverages AI to facilitate conversations with your data. You can ask questions, and the AI will generate and run the necessary code to provide insights, making data analysis more accessible, especially for those less familiar with programming.
2. Powerful Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
   DataLab features a robust IDE where you can review, tweak, and execute your analysis. This environment supports R, Python, and SQL, with all essential data science packages pre-installed, ensuring a smooth workflow from data import to analysis.
3. Seamless Reporting
   Once your analysis is complete, DataLab allows you to turn your work into a polished, shareable report effortlessly. This feature is invaluable for professionals needing to present their findings clearly and effectively.
4. Cloud-Hosted Environment
   Every DataLab workbook runs in a fully-managed, cloud-hosted setup, eliminating the need for local installations and ensuring you can start analyzing data immediately from any device.
5. Easy Data Connections
   DataLab simplifies connecting to external databases. You can set up a connection once and reuse it across different workbooks, making data access and query execution straightforward.
6. Real-Time Collaboration
   Collaboration in DataLab is seamless. You can invite colleagues to your workbook via email or share a link, enabling real-time editing and commenting.
7. AI Assistant
   The AI Assistant in DataLab is designed to help you generate and edit code, as well as fix and explain errors. This feature accelerates the path from data to insights, making the learning curve less steep and the process more efficient.
8. Chart Cell
   For quick data visualization, the chart cell feature allows you to create beautiful charts from data frames without writing any code, perfect for rapid data exploration and creating sleek visuals for presentations.

These are few of many reasons to start using DataLab, for me the easy of uploading your data and start using AI to analyze is enough to start with, but its real time collaboration feature is also great for real work.

If you want to explore, you can learn more about Datacamp here.

Is DataLab Worth It?

DataLab by DataCamp is undoubtedly a powerful AI tool that bridges the gap between learning and practical application in data science.

Its integration of generative AI, robust IDE, and seamless collaboration features make it a compelling choice for both beginners and professionals.

If you are an experienced data professional you can use Datalab as a data notebook and run your own codes, but if you’re just starting with data analysis then t you can use Datalab to chat with your data and get the info you need like if you were sitting down with a data analyst.

If you are looking to enhance your data analysis capabilities and streamline your workflow, DataLab is definitely worth considering. Even if you don’t have your own data, you can use DataLab’s collection of real world data to start practicing query.

You can start with simple AI questions like:

and, then you can review the data and code generated by AI as shown below:

The most important thing is to see the actual code which is used to generate the analysis because that’s where you will learn, how to perform common data operations.

To get started, you can check DataCamp DataLab and see how it can transform your data science journey.

Is DataLab for Me?

Let’s find out how you an use DataLab as a learner, data professional and any Data Analysis enthusiastic.

1. For Learners

DataLab is an excellent resource for learners who have completed courses on DataCamp and want to apply their newly acquired skills to real-world data.

With its library of templates and sample datasets, DataLab offers a practical environment to practice and showcase your data science projects. Additionally, learners can make their workspaces public and add them to their portfolios, enhancing their visibility to potential employers.

2. For Data Professionals

DataLab is equally beneficial for data professionals. It streamlines data access, insights generation, and collaboration, making it an ideal tool for efficient data-driven decision-making.

Professionals can easily connect to databases, collaborate with colleagues in real-time, and create comprehensive reports ready for presentation.

If you are an experienced data professional you can use Datalab as a data notebook and run your own codes, but if you’re a beginner then you can use Datalab to chat with your data and get the info you need like if you were sitting down with a data analyst

3. Getting Started

The best way to explore DataLab is through the in-product onboarding process available on DataCamp’s website. The intuitive design ensures you can start analyzing data within seconds, thanks to its browser-based interface that requires no installations or downloads.

You can start with their free plan first which allows you to create up to three workbooks and use 20 GPT-4 prompts and then later once you find it useful, you can switch to their premium plan to speed up your data analysis process using AI.

Here is also a nice table which shows the different between DataLab free and premium plan

DataCamp’s Radar AI Edition 2024

DataCamp is also running RADAR AI Edition event on 26th-27th June 2024 from 9 AM–3 PM EDT. The event provides a great chance to learn from industry leaders about AI revolution.

The speaker list is very impressive and includes:

Megan Finck, Global Head of Talent Acquisition (Data & AI) at Boeing
Sadie St Lawrence, CEO of Women in Data
Nnamdi Iregbulem, Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners
Eric Seigel, Founder of Machine Learning Week, former Columbia professor, bestselling author
Carolann Diskin, Snr. Technical Program Manager at Dropbox
Barr Moses, CEO at Monte Carlo
Prukalpa Sankar, CEO at Atlan
Haniyeh Mahmoudian, Chief Data Ethicist at DataRobot
Michele Catasta, VP of AI at Replit
Julien Simon, Chief Evangelist at HuggingFace
Sonali Bhavsar, Managing Director at Accenture
Cindi Howson, Chief Data Strategy Officer ThoughtSpot
Chandra Donelson, Space Data Analytics Officer at US SpaceForce
Bernard Marr, AI Advisor & Best Selling Author
Jordan Tigani, CEO at Motherduck
Edo Liberty, CEO Pinecone
Ryan Salvo, VP of Product at GitHub
Thomas Tunguz, General Partner, Theory Ventures
Alexandra Ebert, Chief Trust Officer at Mostly.ai

You can join this event to learn how businesses and individuals can unlock their full potential with AI.

Here is the link to join — RADAR AI Edition event

Other Datacamp related articles you may like

1. Why Learning AI is crucial for Data Engineering Jobs
2. 8 Datacamp Courses to Learn AI, ChatGPT and Machine Learning
3. Top 3 Datacamp Certifications For Data Engineers
4. 10 Free Datacamp courses to learn Python and Data Skills
5. DataCamp vs CodeCademy, which is better?

Thank you for reading this article so far. If you like this DataLab article and review then please share with your friends and colleagues. It’s a great tool for any Data Analyst, Data Scientist and Data professionals.

P. S. — If you are looking a Data Analyst Certification to not just learn Data Analyst but also get a recognition which you can use on your resume, then you can also check the Data Analyst Certification on Datacamp, in fact if you are a member you can access both this certification and DataLab with single membership.