Carruthers and Jackson Launches 7th Annual Summer School for Data Leaders: Navigating the Era of AI

LONDON, March 4, 2024 — Carruthers and Jackson, a global leader in data consultancy, has unveiled the launch of its seventh annual Summer School for Data Leaders. This year, the program delves into the theme of the latest trends in data maturity, in addition to focusing on the real impact of AI on data strategies and the evolving role of data professionals in the era of AI.

Starting on June 27th 2024, the annual course, attended by hundreds of aspiring data leaders around the world, will draw on insights from the most recent Carruthers and Jackson Data Maturity Index, a global poll of data leaders to reveal the true state of data maturity within organisations and better understand the challenges and opportunities faced. An added layer of complexity this year has been the rise of generative AI with organisations navigating a rapidly changing landscape as both the technology and its regulation develops at pace.

Findings from the recent Data Maturity Index underscores the apprehension among data leaders regarding AI’s use in the workplace and concerns about potential governance pitfalls, particularly in terms of regulatory compliance. However, despite modest AI adoption rates, 38% of data leaders reported a renewed focus on data ethics, highlighting the need for adaptability among data leaders today.

“We’re thrilled to welcome another diverse cohort of students from across the globe to our Summer School for Data Leaders,” explained Caroline Carruthers, CEO, Carruthers and Jackson. “In today’s swiftly evolving data landscape, it’s crucial for data professionals to adapt and equip themselves with the skills to navigate challenges posed by technologies such as AI. Our Summer School is, and has always been, a platform to address these pressing concerns while empowering data leaders to uphold critical areas such as data ethics and governance.”

Peter Jackson, Co-founder of Carruthers and Jackson, said, “As AI continues to permeate various aspects of business operations, it’s important for data leaders to understand its implications and guide their organisations accordingly. We’re proud that this year’s Summer School programme, enriched with insights from our latest book, Halo Data, is designed to empower students with the insights and tools needed to be a data professional in the era of AI.”

The 10-week virtual course will showcase expert guest speakers and offer participants guidance on navigating data strategies, fostering data literacy, and promoting ethical data practices. This year’s Summer School for Data Leaders will unveil an updated curriculum, integrating insights from the newest Carruthers and Jackson Data Maturity Index, along with Peter and Caroline’s latest publication ‘Halo Data’, while also spotlighting the challenges and opportunities brought forward by AI.

Recent graduate, Camilo Amarcy, Director of Information Management at Moza Banco, one of Mozambique’s fastest-growing financial institutions, said, “My role is often about finding new ways to prove return on investment for data and analytics projects, and as you can imagine, there is a high cost of infrastructure and training associated with ensuring the team is equipped to deliver. Having recently been appointed to this role, participating in the 2023 Summer School for Data Leaders was transformative because it gave me the guidelines and confidence to tackle new challenges. The course equips you with a clear understanding of the necessary processes to build a solid data foundation over the first 100 days and beyond, and with the right preparation in place, you can feel like a superhero.”

Paul Said, Head of Data at Rightship, one of the world’s leading environmental, social and governance (ESG) focused digital maritime platforms, and another recent summer school graduate, explained, “The course content was excellent, with every lecture consisting of the theory part typically delivered by Peter and Caroline, followed by a presentation by some renowned industry experts. The Data Maturity Assessment and Data Strategy modules were probably my favourite, and I used the templates shared during summer school to create a draft strategy and convinced our leadership team to engage Carruthers and Jackson for a proper maturity assessment. We have never looked back since then, and we are now delivering our data strategy and look forward to starting the implementation.”

Approximately half of this year’s course content has undergone revision, breathing new life into the programme to cater to the evolving needs of data professionals worldwide. Applications for the Summer School remain open from 1st March until 27th May 2024, via the Carruthers and Jackson website.

About Carruthers and Jackson Summer School for Data Leaders

Now in its seventh year, the Carruthers and Jackson Summer School is an annual free-to-attend 10-week virtual course for data leaders led by global data experts Caroline Carruthers and Peter Jackson. Welcoming hundreds of executives and aspiring data leads from organisations including the likes of NASA, Credit Suisse, and BNY Mellon, every year, the Carrurthers and Jackson Summer School for Data Leaders is the world’s premier course of its kind, giving students practical advice on the latest trends in data, as well as helping to foster a community of learning and best-practice for the next generation of global data leaders.

Source: Carruthers and Jackson