Latest news with #DataScience
Zawya
28-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
General Assembly Bahrain expands tech offerings with Data Science in Bahrain in partnership with Tamkeen
Bahrain - General Assembly Bahrain has announced the launch of a comprehensive Data Science program offered through three flexible learning paths, designed to accommodate learning needs at various career stages. Offered in partnership with the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), the program equips learners with the practical tools, hands-on experience, and career support required to succeed in today's data-driven workforce. Tamkeen's support for this program aligns with its 2025 strategic priorities, which aim to enhance the competitiveness of Bahraini nationals in the private sector, equip them with the right skills for career advancement, and prioritize the growth, digital transformation, and sustainability of enterprises. The program covers key skills including statistical modeling, Python programming, data visualization, machine learning, and natural language processing (NLP). Delivered through real-world projects and case studies, the program equips learners with critical analytical and decision-making capabilities essential for today's most in-demand data-driven roles across industries. It is offered in three flexible formats: Full-time, Part-time, and Career Development. 'As Bahrain advances its tech transformation, the growing demand for skilled data professionals presents a critical yet promising opportunity to develop local talent," said Ahlam Oun, Director of General Assembly Bahrain. "Our new Data Science Bootcamp, supported by Tamkeen, meets this need by offering flexible, career-compatible training that empowers individuals to upskill without pausing their careers. More than just a course, it's a strategic step toward shaping Bahrain's digital future through hands-on learning in AI, machine learning, and data analytics." Commenting on the upcoming Data Career Development Program, she added, "This program delivers targeted upskilling solutions for organizations and their employees, creating a complete pipeline for Bahrain's data talent needs while allowing participants to learn while working." 'Data Science and Machine Learning is one of the most promising fields for today's youth, and programs like this play a crucial role in supporting fresh talent as well as early-career professionals deepen their skills and advance into more specialized roles,' said Marwa Al Eskafi, Director of Talent, Enterprise, and Entrepreneurship Enablement, Tamkeen. 'By taking part, Bahraini youth are positioning themselves as employees of choice - ensuring their own growth and the nation's competitiveness.' Tamkeen's Sector Skills Reports, launched by Skills Bahrain, highlight a growing demand for talent in data analytics, machine learning, and digital tools across multiple industries. In finance, banks are automating services to support the country's cashless, digital transformation. However, the rapid pace of digital transformation in FinTech has outstripped the current workforce's skills - especially in analytics and machine learning - highlighting the need for skill development in these areas. In telecommunications, the sector report identifies data analytics and machine learning as essential for future growth, while in the public sector, government initiatives are using machine learning and analytics to improve services, including airport operations, environmental monitoring and beyond. Logistics companies are also leveraging data science and machine learning to boost efficiency and stay competitive. Similar skill gaps also exist in Bahrain's healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and energy sectors, reflecting the growing need to equip national talent in these fields. All three formats - Full-Time, Part-Time, and Career Development - feature hands-on projects, career coaching, and access to Bahrain's leading instructors and employer networks. About General Assembly: General Assembly Bahrain plays a crucial role in enhancing the tech skills of Bahrainis. Offering courses in software engineering, UX design, and data analytics, General Assembly Bahrain aligns its curriculum with market trends. Notably, General Assembly Bahrain has achieved a significant positive outcomes rate for its graduates, including employment, freelancing and entrepreneurial opportunities, underscoring its commitment to bridging the digital skills gap in the Kingdom.
New Indian Express
27-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
ECE rises to second spot in TN engineering counselling amid tech job slump
CHENNAI: Amid slowdown in software jobs and layoffs by tech majors, core engineering courses such as Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), Civil and Mechanical Engineering seem to be back in the reckoning in Tamil Nadu piggybacking on the boom in the semiconductor industry. ECE has become the second-most-sought-after course this year in TN engineering counselling, surpassing Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (AI&DS), and Information Technology (IT). Last year, after the first round, only 3% of seats in civil and mechanical courses were filled, but this year the admission figures for the streams have doubled to 6%, an analyst said. The final allotment list after the first round of the Tamil Nadu Engineering Admission (TNEA) counselling released on Saturday revealed that out of the 39,145 students who took part in the counselling, 26,719 were allotted seats. As per the data, out of the total 36,748 seats available in Computer Science streams across the state, 7,526 seats have been taken, while ECE is placed second with 4,534 of the available 25,864 seats being taken in the first round. In the AI&DS stream, of the total 22,767 seats, 3,208 have been filled. At the end of round one, 15.42% of seats have been filled, almost 5% higher than last year. This year, a total of 1.72 lakh seats were available for general counselling in 425 colleges. Notably, last year, following CSE, AI&DS had taken the second spot in the first round. In 2024, at the end of round one, 15.27% of CSE seats were filled, followed by AI&DS (13%) and IT (12.21%). ECE got the fourth spot with only 10.1% seats being filled in the first round last year.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Mittal's remuneration up 0.8%, Vice Chairman Gopal Vittal's 9.1% in FY25
Bharti Airtel 's latest annual report shows that Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal received a total remuneration of Rs 32.5 crore in the financial year 2024-25. This includes Rs 21.57 crore as salary and allowances, Rs 7.5 crore as a performance-linked bonus, and Rs 3.48 crore in perks. His salary increased by 0.88% compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, Vice Chairman and Managing Director Gopal Vittal took home Rs 20.24 crore in FY25, a 9.1% jump from his Rs 18.55 crore salary in FY24. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Finance MCA Artificial Intelligence Data Analytics Product Management CXO MBA Data Science Project Management Public Policy Technology Others healthcare Leadership Management Design Thinking Healthcare Data Science PGDM Digital Marketing Operations Management others Degree Cybersecurity Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Fintech & Blockchain India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 Months IIM Calcutta SEPO - IIMC CFO India Starts on undefined Get Details 'At 100% performance level, the gross remuneration of Sunil Bharti Mittal is Rs 32,55,86,133 for FY25 and Rs 32,27,14,541 for FY24. For Gopal Vittal, it is Rs 20,24,68,554 for FY25 and Rs 18,55,08,865 for FY24,' the report said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo Incentives for the previous financial year (2023–24) were also paid during this year. Mittal received Rs 10.4 crore and Vittal got Rs 10.3 crore as performance bonuses. The report further added that Sunil Mittal earned GBP 2.20 million from the company's overseas arm, Network i2i (UK) Ltd. Live Events During FY25, Gopal Vittal was granted 1,21,877 stock options under the Employee Stock Options Scheme 2005 and the Long Term Incentive Plans. These options have a vesting period of up to three years and are linked to 100% performance-based achievements. The report also noted that Vittal's declared pay does not include Rs 22.95 crore, which is the value of stock options he exercised during the year. Inputs from PTI
India Today
14-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
IIT Madras' Renee Noronha is youngest Indian woman to finish two Ironman races
When she crossed the finish line at the Ironman European Championship in Hamburg, holding the Indian flag high as the words 'You are an Ironman' echoed around her, it was more than a personal victory. For the 18-year-old Data Science student from IIT Madras, it was the realisation of a dream she had chased since the age of 16 — to become the world's youngest Ironman and India's youngest female had no prior experience in swimming or road cycling when I signed up,' she says. 'But I was driven by a passion for challenge and the excitement of pushing beyond my limits.' At just 18 years, 1 month, and 20 days, she achieved her goal, a feat of grit and GYMNASTICS MAT TO IRONMAN FINISH LINEA former artistic gymnast, her transition to triathlons wasn't easy, but it was deliberate. 'Gymnastics gave me a strong foundation of discipline, balance, and mental resilience,' she explains. 'While the sports are very different, the focus and strength carried over and helped me tackle swimming, cycling, and running with confidence.' It's a journey, she says, that brings alive the Ironman slogan: 'Anything is Possible.'IRONMAN TRAINING MEETS IIT MADRAS RIGOUR Managing Ironman-level training alongside the academic rigour of IIT Madras is no small feat. Adding to that, she's simultaneously pursuing a Sports Science diploma at Carshalton College, London. Her secret? 'Intense discipline, structure, and time management. I plan my days carefully—training before or after lectures, using weekends for long rides, runs, and brick sessions. I always aim to stay ahead in coursework to manage both effectively.'She credits her gymnastics background for helping her manage pressure: 'Goal-setting, resilience, and mental toughness are second nature now. They help me stay on top of both academics and training.' 20 HOURS A WEEK OF PEAK DISCIPLINEDuring peak preparation, her schedule is relentless—15 to 20 hours of training spread over six days, starting at 5:15 am. 'Swims, rides, runs, brick workouts, strength or mobility work—each day has a purpose,' she says. Her weekends are booked with long rides and runs. But recovery, she insists, is just as important. 'I prioritise sleep, nutrition, stretching, and mindfulness. Rest days are when I study more intensively to stay balanced.'SHAVING OFF 2.5 HOURS BETWEEN RACESFrom her first Ironman in New Zealand to her most recent in Hamburg, she cut down her timing by over two hours in just 15 months. What changed? 'I became more strategic and data-driven,' she says. 'I tracked every session, focused on strength work, and refined my recovery and nutrition.' Despite battling thunderstorms, lightning, and rain in both races, her discipline paid off. 'With ideal weather, I could have improved by 3.5 to 4 hours,' she believes. Much of this progress, she credits to her coach, Shanker Hamburg threw everything at her — hailstorms, cold winds, and heavy rain, especially during the final 20 km of the cycling segment. 'It was brutal,' she recalls. 'I had to rely on mental resilience, focus on my breath, and just keep moving. Seeing the Indian flag and hearing the crowd kept me going.' LEARNING FROM DOUBT AND SETBACKSThere have been moments of doubt—injuries, burnout, academic pressure. But she's found a way through: 'I break down big goals into small, manageable ones. Tracking my improvements keeps me motivated.' Her support system—family, coaches, friends, and her institution—has been instrumental. 'Patience, persistence, and a positive mindset help me push through setbacks in both sport and studies.'Her mission goes beyond medals and titles. She wants more girls to believe in their potential. 'If you're unsure of your limits, know that your potential is much greater than you think. Start small, celebrate milestones, and stay consistent,' she says. 'Every challenge is an opportunity to grow. No dream is too big, no limit too great.'advertisementWHAT'S NEXT: FROM KONA TO COMRADESHer short-term goals include participating in Ironman races across all continents and qualifying for the Ironman World Championship in Kona and the Comrades Marathon in South Africa—all before she graduates. Academically, she plans to pursue an integrated PhD in mathematics and quantitative research. 'I want to contribute to both academia and industry through innovation and research.' Eventually, she dreams of setting up an NGO to promote endurance sports amongst women in India. 'I want to help other girls realise they can chase their dreams too. Because true growth begins the moment you decide to try.'- Ends
Time Magazine
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Time Magazine
California AI Policy Report Warns of ‘Irreversible Harms'
While AI could offer transformative benefits, without proper safeguards it could facilitate nuclear and biological threats and cause 'potentially irreversible harms,' a new report commissioned by California Governor Gavin Newsom has warned. 'The opportunity to establish effective AI governance frameworks may not remain open indefinitely,' says the report, which was published on June 17. Citing new evidence that AI can help users source nuclear-grade uranium and is on the cusp of letting novices create biological threats, it notes that the cost for inaction at this current moment could be 'extremely high.' The 53-page document stems from a working group established by Governor Newsom, in a state that has emerged as a central arena for AI legislation. With no comprehensive federal regulation on the horizon, state-level efforts to govern the technology have taken on outsized significance, particularly in California, which is home to many of the world's top AI companies. In 2023, California Senator Scott Wiener sponsored a first-of-its-kind bill, SB 1047, which would have required that large-scale AI developers implement rigorous safety testing and mitigation for their systems, but which critics feared would stifle innovation and squash the open-source AI community. The bill passed both state houses despite fierce industry opposition, but Governor Newsom ultimately vetoed it last September, deeming it 'well-intentioned' but not the 'best approach to protecting the public.' Following that veto, Newsom launched the working group to 'develop workable guardrails for deploying GenAI.' The group was co-led by 'godmother of AI' Fei-Fei Li, a prominent opponent of SB 1047, alongside Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, member of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Social and Ethical Implications of Computing Research, and Jennifer Tour Chayes dean of the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society at UC Berkeley. The working group evaluated AI's progress, SB 1047's weak points, and solicited feedback from more than 60 experts. 'As the global epicenter of AI innovation, California is uniquely positioned to lead in unlocking the transformative potential of frontier AI,' Li said in a statement. 'Realizing this promise, however, demands thoughtful and responsible stewardship—grounded in human-centered values, scientific rigor, and broad-based collaboration,' she said. "Foundation model capabilities have rapidly advanced since Governor Newsom vetoed SB 1047 last September," the report states. The industry has shifted from large language AI models that merely predict the next word in a stream of text toward systems trained to solve complex problems and that benefit from "inference scaling," which allows them more time to process information. These advances could accelerate scientific research, but also potentially amplify national security risks by making it easier for bad actors to conduct cyberattacks or acquire chemical and biological weapons. The report points to Anthropic's Claude 4 models, released just last month, which the company said might be capable of helping would-be terrorists create bioweapons or engineer a pandemic. Similarly, OpenAI's o3 model reportedly outperformed 94% of virologists on a key evaluation. In recent months, new evidence has emerged showing AI's ability to strategically lie, appearing aligned with its creators' goals during training but displaying other objectives once deployed, and exploit loopholes to achieve its goals, the report says. While 'currently benign, these developments represent concrete empirical evidence for behaviors that could present significant challenges to measuring loss of control risks and possibly foreshadow future harm,' the report says. While Republicans have proposed a 10 year ban on all state AI regulation over concerns that a fragmented policy environment could hamper national competitiveness, the report argues that targeted regulation in California could actually 'reduce compliance burdens on developers and avoid a patchwork approach' by providing a blueprint for other states, while keeping the public safer. It stops short of advocating for any specific policy, instead outlining the key principles the working group believes California should adopt when crafting future legislation. It 'steers clear' of some of the more divisive provisions of SB1047, like the requirement for a "kill switch" or shutdown mechanism to quickly halt certain AI systems in case of potential harm, says Scott Singer, a visiting scholar in the Technology and International Affairs Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and a lead-writer of the report. Instead, the approach centers around enhancing transparency, for example through legally protecting whistleblowers and establishing incident reporting systems, so that lawmakers and the public have better visibility into AI's progress. The goal is to 'reap the benefits of innovation. Let's not set artificial barriers, but at the same time, as we go, let's think about what we're learning about how it is that the technology is behaving,' says Cuéllar, who co-led the report. The report emphasizes this visibility is crucial not only for public-facing AI applications, but for understanding how systems are tested and deployed inside AI companies, where concerning behaviors might first emerge. 'The underlying approach here is one of 'trust but verify,'" Singer says, a concept borrowed from Cold War-era arms control treaties that would involve designing mechanisms to independently check compliance. That's a departure from existing efforts, which hinge on voluntary cooperation from companies, such as the deal between OpenAI and Center for AI Standards and Innovation (formerly the U.S. AI Safety Institute) to conduct pre-deployment tests. It's an approach that acknowledges the 'substantial expertise inside industry,' Singer says, but 'also underscores the importance of methods of independently verifying safety claims.'
