Data science is one of the hottest and most in-demand fields today. With the rise of big data and artificial intelligence, companies across industries are looking for talented data scientists who can help them gain valuable insights from their data. But who stands out as the number one data scientist at the moment?
What makes a top data scientist?
There are certain key qualities that the best data scientists possess. First and foremost is the ability to mine data – the raw technical skills to work with massive data sets and draw actionable conclusions. A top data scientist will have expertise in handling structured and unstructured data, programming (especially Python and R), advanced statistical and machine learning techniques, and data visualization. They will know how to clean and organize messy, complex data sets.
On top of these technical capabilities, the number one data scientists also have strong problem-solving skills and business acumen. They understand how to frame the right questions that enable data-driven decision making. Their analytical insights can directly inform business strategies across departments. And they have excellent communication skills to translate complex data concepts into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
Leading candidates for number one data scientist
There are many brilliant data scientists doing groundbreaking work today. But a few names stand out from the pack as contenders for the coveted title of number one data scientist. Here are top data scientists who could claim that mantle:
Cassie Kozyrkov
Currently the Chief Decision Scientist at Google, Cassie Kozyrkov is an expert in deriving actionable insights from data analysis. She was Google’s first full-time data scientist when she joined in 2016. Kozyrkov established and led Google’s global team of technical data analysts and data scientists as Chief Data Scientist. She also created a machine learning bootcamp for Google engineers and guided the adoption of predictive analytics across the company.
Prior to Google, Kozyrkov trained risk analysts at Morgan Stanley as a data scientist. She holds degrees in mathematical statistics as well as risk management. Kozyrkov is renowned for demystifying AI and data science concepts to make them accessible. She frequently speaks at major tech conferences and contributes to leading AI publications.
DJ Patil
D.J. Patil is credited with coining the job title of “data scientist” during his tenure as LinkedIn’s head of data products. He established LinkedIn’s data science team and led the development of key data products like Skills, Job Trends, and talent analytics. This enabled LinkedIn to harness its member activity data to provide personalized recommendations and improve hiring.
Patil went on to shape data policy at influential technology companies and government organizations. He served as Chief Data Scientist at eBay, creating data platforms to optimize operations. As the first U.S. Chief Data Scientist under President Obama, Patil spearheaded landmark open data initiatives. Currently, he is Head of Data Product at Brex and an in-demand keynote speaker on data science.
Hilary Mason
Hilary Mason is an early pioneer in using machine learning to extract insights from large datasets. As Chief Scientist at Bitly, she analyzed link traffic patterns to identify trends for clients like Facebook, Dropbox, and Twilio. Mason excelled at explaining technical concepts simply, earning her the “rock star data scientist” moniker.
She co-founded data science community platform Fast Forward Labs and served as a professor at Columbia University. Mason went on to become the General Manager of Machine Learning at Cloudera, building their data science workbench. She is a prolific speaker and writer in the data science sphere, hosting popular podcasts and authoring books. Mason’s breadth of experience powering data products makes her a top candidate for number one data scientist.
Andrew Ng
Andrew Ng is one of the world’s leading experts in artificial intelligence and deep learning. As Chief Scientist at Baidu, he spearheaded the development of the company’s AI platform and helped build its Institute for Deep Learning. Ng led Google Brain and was instrumental in creating the deep learning algorithms behind many of Google’s innovative products.
He co-founded online education platform Coursera and has taught machine learning to over 3 million students worldwide. Ng is an Adjunct Professor at Stanford University and previously served as the founding lead of the Google Brain team. His pioneering work on AI algorithms and making deep learning more accessible cements him as a contender for number one.
The verdict
With brilliant minds like Cassie Kozyrkov, DJ Patil, Hilary Mason, and Andrew Ng leading the way, there is no single unanimous number one data scientist currently. The field is full of exceptional individuals pushing the boundaries of what can be accomplished with data. They are all worthy of respect and admiration for their contributions.
Perhaps a better question to ask would be, “Who is the number one data scientist…for this company’s specific needs and challenges?” The foremost data scientist is the one whose skills and experiences align with an organization’s goals. With data science becoming more critical in every industry, there are countless opportunities for talented data scientists to make an impact.
So rather than seeking a mythical greatest data scientist, companies should focus on tapping into the right data science talent for their situation. The data scientists mentioned excel in their own ways. As the field continues advancing rapidly, new number one contenders will surely emerge. But what matters most is having the data science leaders who can solve real-world problems using the transformative power of data.
Tables Comparing Top Data Scientists
| Data Scientist | Current Role | Key Previous Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Cassie Kozyrkov | Chief Decision Scientist, Google | Chief Data Scientist, Google; Data Scientist, Morgan Stanley |
| DJ Patil | Head of Data Products, Brex | Chief Data Scientist, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; Head of Data, LinkedIn |
| Hilary Mason | Founder, Fast Forward Labs | Chief Scientist, Bitly; Professor, Columbia University; GM of ML, Cloudera |
| Andrew Ng | Founder, DeepLearning.ai | Chief Scientist, Baidu; Cofounder, Coursera; Founding Lead of Google Brain |
| Data Scientist | Core Technical Expertise | Awards and Honors |
|---|---|---|
| Cassie Kozyrkov | Statistical analysis, machine learning, data visualization, programming, storytelling | World’s Top 50 Women in Tech 2018, Forbes Top 50 Women in Tech 2017 |
| DJ Patil | Analytics infrastructure, security, privacy, public policy | 2011 “Silicon Valley’s 25 Smartest” by Business Insider, 2012 “Top 15 Innovators” by Foreign Policy magazine |
| Hilary Mason | Data mining, machine learning, natural language processing | Most Influential Women in Technology 2014, O’Reilly Strata Data Driven Leadership Award 2018 |
| Andrew Ng | Deep learning, artificial intelligence, computer vision, natural language processing | Stanford Engineering Hero Award, Top 100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics 2017 |
Key Achievements of Top Data Scientists
| Data Scientist | Key Achievements and Impact |
|---|---|
| Cassie Kozyrkov |
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| DJ Patil |
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| Hilary Mason |
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| Andrew Ng |
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Conclusion
There are many brilliant and pioneering data scientists doing impactful work today. Cassie Kozyrkov, DJ Patil, Hilary Mason, Andrew Ng, and others exemplify what it takes to be considered among the top data scientists currently. They combine exceptional technical capabilities with business acumen, communication skills, and a passion for harnessing data’s power to transform industries.
Rather than seeking a single leading data scientist, it is most fruitful for companies to identify the data science leader(s) best suited to address their specific goals. As data’s role continues to accelerate, more data scientists with diverse strengths will emerge as leaders driving innovation and progress through leveraging data effectively.
