Building AI Talent in Organizations – An Experiential Learning Approach

Abstract

Rapid digitization in industries is transforming the way corporations conduct their core businesses and interact with their customers. The proliferation of data in these corporations and the ability to process them using the latest AI/ML techniques are compelling them to transform themselves into data-driven organizations. However, acquiring new talent with data science skills and/or reskilling existing employees with deep domain experience presents a major challenge. In this paper, we illustrate how a unique collaboration between industry and academia to impart AI and machine learning (ML) skills to domain experts contributed to furthering an organization's AI aspirations. Specifically, the collaboration has created a continuous learning environment that is conducive to active experimentation and reflective practice, both of which are essential to gaining actionable business insights. Our methodology can be applied to reskill workforces in the future in transformative new-age technologies while adding value to the organization at the same time.