The future is not just a place we go; it is a place we create

Dr Vincenzo Salipante is not one that likes to leave his future to fate. He wants to shape it himself. As a Senior Intelligent Automation Business Partner at Zurich Insurance Group, he is heavily involved in areas like digitalization and artificial intelligence. It means his world undergoes continuous revolution.

“It is not enough to recognize and react to these inevitable changes, we need to lead them,” he says. “The future is not just a place we go; it is a place we create.”

Vincenzo applies this mantra to his professional learning. “I must stay ahead of the latest methodologies and technologies in the field of data science and intelligent automation. We all need to be curious, courageous and willing to constantly embrace new learnings in order to deliver in a world that is rapidly evolving and becoming increasingly digital.”

Back to school

With this in mind, Vincenzo recently completed his Diploma of Advanced Studies in Data Science at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH). A 12-month part-time course aimed at professionals holding a master’s degree in a scientific discipline who want to develop data science skills and learn to build mathematical algorithms for data processing and analysis.

Data science is an inter-disciplinary field that combines mathematics, computer science and information technology to help create knowledge and extract insights from data. It spans across artificial intelligence, image analysis, computer vision, statistics, machine learning and big data mining.

It may sound like a geek subject area, but data science is instrumental to improving how we interact with digital interfaces. From hailing a ride on your Uber app; to the friend suggestions on your Facebook page.

“Given the continuous growth of digital data, the question of how we can use data to gain valuable insights to the benefit of our customers, communities and environment is more important than ever,” says Vincenzo.

“The ability to extract accurate and reliable actionable insights from large amounts of digital data, and have computers learn from experience to suggest fair, robust and valuable intelligent decisions, are essential aspects of data science.”

Completing the course was demanding and required Vincenzo to study in the early mornings, evenings, weekends and by using vacation time. But it has been a worthwhile investment.

“The ability to shape our digital future depends on how well and quickly we develop the relevant skills, acquire the knowledge and understand the way our customers interact in the digital space. Data science provides you with the toolbox to shape the world of tomorrow,” Vincenzo says.

“The specific insights derived from data science are enabling insurers, and other businesses, to create a more customer-centric digital experience that is more customized and convenient,” he explains.

Machine, artificial and bad?

Data science also provides the foundation for the further development of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. But many worry about the future implications.

“The terms ‘intelligent automation’ and ‘machine learning’ might evoke imagery of replacing humans with robots, but that is too simple a view,” says Vincenzo.

“This technology will not replace people. Instead, it will allow them to do more, better and fulfilling activities. The question to ask is not ‘what tasks can be automated?’, but ‘how can humans and machines work together to support the business and customer?’”

Vincenzo may work in a highly technical and digital world, but his success has come down to something more traditional: the desire to learn.

The investment he has made in his own development is allowing Vincenzo to bring more value to his team, the business and ultimately Zurich’s customers.

Zurich continues to integrate data science and intelligent automation into its operating model, which is being accelerated thanks to people like Vincenzo. In addition, Zurich is investing in a broader upskilling program to give its people the digital skills required to succeed in a continuously evolving world.

“It has always been important to learn no matter your age. But today, more than ever, we must all take the time to develop new skills and enhance our existing capabilities,” says Vincenzo.

“That does not necessarily mean undertaking a one-year postgrad course like I have done; it could be a simple 30-minute web-based course. But if you don’t continuously learn in this fast-changing world then you will get left behind. Instead of shaping the future, you could become a relic of the past.”