Data Science: Catalyst for Transformational Change
The world has been engulfed by the age of data and analytics, where information that can provide meaningful insights has become a highly valuable asset. The panel aimed to engage a diverse group of players in the sector who could support NGOs, the key drivers for sustainable development, to better understand the potential of data.
Here are some key learnings from the session:
Here are some key learnings from the session:
- Data science plays a key role in harnessing the key asset of information and flowing back insights to the communities for creating transformative change at the ecosystem level in India.
- Organizations need to evolve the delivery of data products keeping in mind the communities they are serving.
- Data earlier was considered an overhead cost, but now in the last 5-6 years, it has become strategic for social organizations.
- Philanthropists are supporting more data-led initiatives to support vulnerable communities.
- Data is power, but how we leverage this power will define the path of empowerment.
- While data dashboards are easy to use, they eliminate discussion, conflict, and debate on the problem within the community.
- Organizations can consider sending report cards to parents to relay information back to the community.
- If data is being used for intervention, then the output/ insights can empower the community.
- We often believe that everything that is digitized and collects data is by default empowering the end-user, but we don’t account for the fact that the equipment/digital tool is not engaging with the community.
- Organizations collecting data should be the messiah of ethical collection and use.
- The definition of big data is being revisited in India, and more investment is required to realize its potential.