Deloitte taps Kaggle’s data scientist network

Deloitte Australia has entered into a partnership with Kaggle to tap its network of data scientists.

Kaggle was founded in 2010 by Anthony Goldbloom in Melbourne and claims it is the world’s largest community of data scientists, with nearly 100,000 scientists in its network.

Through Kaggle Connect, data scientists compete with each other to solve data science problems, with the top scientists being invited to perform consulting roles on projects.

Its data scientists come from more than 100 countries and include academics from computer science, statistics, econometrics, maths and physics.

“Data science incorporates techniques and theories from a variety of fields to draw insights from data that, while not immediately apparent, are extremely powerful,” Jeremy Howard, Kaggle president, said.

“The real challenge is to ask the right question and to get the best thinkers focused on the solution…

“Combined with Deloitte’s deep technical and industry experience, we will provide a real differentiator – a ‘must have’ offering – in the marketplace, one that will help our clients while also helping our growth and identification of new opportunities.”

Meanwhile, Deloitte Analytics’ global network includes more than 6000 analytics professionals.

“The Kaggle model, and Kaggle’s success, has really challenged the status quo in the increasingly sophisticated field of advanced statistical analysis, forecasting and predictive modelling,” Anthony Viel, national managing partner at Deloitte Analytics in Australia, said in a statement.

“We can now help clients apply data to yield even more effective and timely business insights. This might be via Deloitte Analytics’ wide-ranging in-house capabilities but also now, where appropriate, recommending a client use the unique services offered by Kaggle.

“This might involve participating in a competition or hiring a data scientist using Kaggle Connect, with the outcome further infusing Deloitte’s insights with new perspectives and delivering a truly distinctive solution to any number of strategic issues and decisions.”

The partnership with Deloitte is Kaggle’s first global partnership.

Deloitte Australia chief strategy officer Gerhard Vorster said Deloitte plans to extend the new capabilities to its global network of firms.

“[The alliance is] indicative of the impact digital disruption is having within professional services, as new digital business models such as that offered by Kaggle provide clients with innovative solutions alongside economies of scale and scope,” he said.

Follow Stephanie McDonald on Twitter: @stephmcdonald0

Follow CIO Australia on Twitter and Like us on Facebook… Twitter: @CIO_Australia, Facebook: CIO Australia, or take part in the CIO conversation on LinkedIn: CIO Australia