MIT IDSS: Building Global Data Science Talent Networks Through Education and Collaboration

In an era dominated by artificial intelligence, the fundamental importance of mathematics and data science skills remains paramount. MIT’s Professor Devavrat Shah emphasizes that while AI tools evolve, a strong grasp of underlying mathematical concepts is crucial for effective utilization and interpretation of results. “As large language models and generative AI meet new applications, these cutting-edge tools will continue to reshape entire sectors of industry, and bring new insights to challenges in research and policy,” says Shah. “The world needs people who can grasp the underlying concepts behind AI to truly leverage its potential.”

The Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS) at MIT is addressing the global demand for data expertise through initiatives like the MicroMasters Program in Statistics and Data Science, directed by Shah. This program offers a flexible and rigorous pathway for learners to develop MIT-level proficiency in statistical fundamentals. According to Shah, “With over a thousand credential holders worldwide, and tens of thousands more learners engaged since its inception, the MicroMasters Program in Statistics and Data Science has proven to be a rigorous but flexible way for skilled learners to develop an MIT-level grasp of statistics fundamentals.”

The MicroMasters program is also central to IDSS’s educational partnerships, where MIT collaborates with organizations to support learners through the curriculum. One such partnership is with the Brescia Institute of Technology (BREIT) in Peru. “Together with our first strategic partner in education, IDSS is providing graduate-level data science education through the Brescia Institute of Technology (BREIT) in Peru,” explains Fotini Christia, the Ford International Professor of the Social Sciences at MIT and director of IDSS. “Through this partnership, IDSS is training data scientists who are informing decision-making in Peruvian industry, society, and policy.”

BREIT’s Advanced Program in Data Science and Global Skills, in collaboration with IDSS, focuses on technical and non-technical skills necessary to leverage data insights. Participants complete the MicroMasters in Statistics and Data Science (SDS), mastering statistics, probability, data analysis, and machine learning. They also develop career skills like communication, critical thinking, team-building, and ethics.

Renato Castro, a BREIT learner, shares, “I knew that artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science was the future, and I wanted to be in that wave.” He emphasizes that the program provides a systematic way of thinking that impacts real-world problems, creating wealth for both companies and people. Lucia Haro, manager of BREIT, adds, “The aim is to develop problem-solvers and leaders in a field that is growing and becoming more relevant for organizations around the world. We are training the next generation to contribute to the economic development of our country, and to have a positive social impact in Peru.”

IDSS provides tailored support to BREIT learners through MIT graduate student teaching assistants, who conduct regular sessions for hands-on practice and to address questions. Jesús Figueroa, a program graduate and current teaching assistant, notes, “These sessions were very useful because you see the application of the theoretical part from the lectures.” He also highlights the importance of communicating the fundamentals effectively.

The program has seen eight cohorts complete, with almost 100 MicroMasters credential holders and 90 more in progress. To support this growth, IDSS collaborated with BREIT to develop a technical assessment for learner recruitment. Karene Chu, assistant director of education for the SDS MicroMasters, explains, “The assessment tool gauges applicants’ familiarity with prerequisite knowledge like calculus, elementary linear algebra, and basic programming in Python.” This assessment aids BREIT in identifying potential candidates and helps applicants recognize areas for improvement.

The IDSS MicroMasters team continually enhances the program, incorporating feedback from MIT teaching assistants and introducing new coding demos. Susana Kevorkova, program manager of the IDSS MicroMasters, states, “Partner input helps us understand the landscape, so we better know the demands and how to meet them. With BREIT, we are now offering a prerequisite ‘bootcamp’ to help learners from different backgrounds refresh their knowledge or cover gaps. We are always looking for ways to add value for our partners.”

BREIT’s program emphasizes applying data skills to real-world problems through collaborations with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Diego Trujillo Chappa, a BREIT learner, worked with an NGO to improve a model considering student features such as their reading levels and their incomes, and tried to remove bias about where they come from. Yajaira Huerta’s project focused on identifying areas of high need for housing resources during the Covid-19 pandemic.

MicroMasters Program in Statistics and Data Science credential holders gain access to IDSS workshops and conferences, fostering interaction with MIT faculty and students. Some BREIT learners have visited MIT to engage with faculty and learn about ongoing research. Christia emphasizes the value of these interactions, noting that the partnership serves as a model for developing data science talent pipelines globally. “Hosting BREIT and their extraordinarily talented learners brings all our partner efforts full circle, especially as MicroMasters credential holders are a pool of potential recruits for our on-campus graduate programs,” says Christia. “This partnership is a model we are ready to build on and iterate, so that we are developing similar networks and pipelines of data science talent on every part of the globe.”