Western University and Royal Bank of Canada have partnered in an effort to prepare the next generation for the future of data analytics and artificial intelligence.
RBC has invested $3 million to establish the RBC Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Project at Western, which will consist of two new courses focusing on the ethical and social aspects of data analytics and AI on individuals, organizations and society. The courses will be developed jointly by Western’s faculties of Science and Engineering, in consultation with RBC leaders and technology experts.
“Artificial intelligence and data science are transforming our world today, and we see a huge opportunity to partner with Western, a leading university, to prepare the next generation of talent with the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to drive that success," said Bruce Ross, the group head of technology and operations at RBC.
The partnership project will also include the establishment of two scholarship funds in Data Science and Software Engineering, which will be available to third-year Science and Engineering students. A Design Thinking Program, which will be open to all Western students, will be created as part of the project as well, to build skillsets in design thinking and coding.
The project is expected to create meaningful opportunities to help students establish the skills, experience, and networks they need to successfully start their careers after graduation.
“This investment is a catalyst to help Western provide tomorrow’s leaders with the skillset they’ll need to navigate a world full of data and find solutions to the challenges they will inevitably face during their careers,” said Western University President Alan Shepard. “We’re excited to be partnering with RBC to help provide and promote training of 21st-century talent that’s not only technically proficient, but also ethically and socially aware.”