Ani Adhikari

The three requests that I made of the first Berkeley students to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Data Science:
" First, never lose the spirit that makes wonderful new things happen … You are nimble in mind and in action; you know how to jump in and learn new skills; you can spot interesting new avenues and are not afraid to explore them. The world needs you.

Second, I hope that you will keep listening, deeply and thoughtfully just as you do now, to others who are not exactly like you … The world needs leaders like you: who actively seek out diverse viewpoints; who understand nuance and uncertainty; who consider the human consequences of their decisions, beyond their own immediate circle.

Finally, respect the data … In this era of alternative facts and casual disregard for evidence if it contradicts opinion ... [p]rotect the world from selective and biased appeals to data, and all such 21st century spin-doctoring that masquerades as data analysis. Use what you have learned over the past four years to make all your analyses open, well founded, and transparent. Let the data tell their own story. Please, bring back the age of reason. The world needs you. "
(From the Faculty Address at the first Data Science Commencement, 19 May 2019)