“This focus captures the vision of the school,” he explained. “We thought it appropriate that the first conference feature conversations about the attributes of data science theories and practices that we aim to embody, advance and use.”
Equity in data science includes accessibility and inclusion, prioritizing the availability of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and training. Informed data science centers on the awareness of how tech can be used to create sustainable social impact through collaboration with fields outside of math, science and statistics. Finally, Los Datos prioritizes discussions of security, in a nod to UTSA’s role as a national leader in cybersecurity education and innovation.
UTSA is one of just a few universities in the nation—and the only Hispanic Serving Institution—to hold three National Center of Excellence designations from the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The School of Data Science is the first school of its kind in Texas.
Given the triple focus of the event, Los Datos will serve as a confluence of key players in data science, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Mongeau said the School of Data Science is currently collaborating with Frost Bank, various independent school districts and start-ups around San Antonio, Mexico-based private university Tec de Monterrey and government agencies such as the NSA and the U.S. Census Bureau.
“Our community of collaborators is dispersed and does not always have occasion to get together to learn from one another,” Mongeau said. “Los Datos Conference provides an occasion for these collaborators to come together.”
At the same time, the conference is intended to enhance data science collaboration within UTSA. With the school’s data science faculty spread across numerous colleges and departments, Los Datos will feature an incredibly diverse field of scientific and academic endeavors, from computer science and statistics to anthropology and music.
“Our faculty will be exchanging information about the data science methods and tools that they use to solve real scientific and societal problems, which will lead to some recognizing how others’ approaches can be adapted and adopted,” Mongeau said.
While Los Datos is geared toward data scientists, analysts, researchers and students who have at least a foundational understanding of data science and artificial intelligence concepts, Mongeau notes that the conference also serves as an outreach to the community that has been so supportive of the School of Data Science.
In fact, Los Datos Conference is timed to coincide with Fiesta San Antonio, the 10-day festival celebrating San Antonio culture, and those who attend the conference will receive a special Fiesta medal as another way to celebrate the university’s local roots.
Mongeau believes that San Antonio’s community and flourishing tech industry, combined with UTSA’s academic and research strengths, will allow the School of Data Science to continue developing as a leader in data science nationally, and he hopes that Los Datos Conference will be an annual occasion to demonstrate that leadership and benefit others.
