The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the workplace, with remote work becoming a lasting norm. In this episode of Leading with Data, Arpit Agarwal from Meta discusses how the future of work involves virtual reality, enabling remote collaboration that mirrors in-person experiences. Arpit shares insights from his journey, emphasizing pivotal moments and the challenges of analytics in product development’s early stages.
You can listen to this episode of Leading with Data on popular platforms like Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple. Pick your favorite to enjoy the insightful content!
Join our upcoming Leading with Data sessions for insightful discussions with AI and Data Science leaders!
Now, let’s see the questions Arpit Agarwal answered about his career journey and industry experience.
The pandemic has fundamentally changed our work dynamics. We’ve transitioned from office-centric environments to embracing remote work as a new reality. Even with return-to-office policies, a significant portion of the workforce will continue to operate remotely. The challenge lies in maintaining productivity and fostering connections that were once built within office walls. Current tools fall short in replicating the in-person experience, which is where Meta’s vision comes into play. We’re developing products that provide the feeling of working side by side, understanding each other’s body language, and collaborating effectively, all within a virtual space.
My journey began at BITS Goa, where I pursued a computer science degree. Initially, I was academically focused, but BITS allowed me to explore other interests, including data interpretation. I led a puzzles club, which sparked my interest in data. Post-college, I joined Oracle, where I worked in data warehousing and business intelligence, helping clients make data-driven decisions. This experience solidified my interest in analytics and its business applications. I pursued an MBA to deepen my business understanding and later joined Mu Sigma, where I honed my analytics skills. My career progressed through consulting roles and leadership positions in startups like Zoomcar and Katabook, where I tackled diverse data science challenges.
Joining Zoomcar was a pivotal moment. I was tasked with building the data science team from scratch, which allowed me to work on innovative projects like driver scoring systems using car data. This experience gave me the opportunity to work closely with C-level executives and influence business decisions directly. Another significant moment was my time at Katabook, where I helped the company become data-driven and launched various analytics initiatives, including loan offerings based on machine learning models.
Meta’s vision for the future of work revolves around virtual reality, aiming to create a space where remote collaboration is as natural and effective as in-person interactions. Data science plays a crucial role in setting ambitious organizational goals for products that are ahead of their time. It involves aligning product strategy with these goals, ensuring product quality, and managing diverse, global teams. Data science also addresses the challenge of analytics for products that are in the early stages of development, where customer data is scarce.
Analytics for products in the 0 to 1 phase is challenging because there’s limited customer data to guide decision-making. The focus is on ensuring product quality and functionality, which is critical for enterprise products. We rely on internal testing (dogfooding), alpha and beta testing with select groups, and user research to gather feedback and validate the product’s direction. Once we have a solid foundation, we can launch the product to a broader audience and use data science to measure adoption, retention, and iterate based on user feedback.
When hiring for data science roles, I look for candidates with strong problem-solving skills, a deep understanding of machine learning fundamentals, and proficiency in programming languages and data manipulation. For generative AI specifically, candidates should have expertise in the relevant domain, such as natural language processing or computer vision. Additionally, I value character and work ethic, which I assess through behavioral questions, reference checks, and a candidate’s ability to explain their projects in depth.
For beginners in data science, explore diverse interests before specializing. Utilize abundant free learning resources, prioritize skills for value and fulfillment over quick financial gains. Seize opportunities, even in smaller projects or companies, for substantial growth. Recognize that hard work forms the basis of luck; success is an ongoing journey of learning and improvement.
Arpit Agarwal’s journey exemplifies the impact of data science on diverse industries. Meta’s vision for the future of work highlights the pivotal role data science plays. Aspiring data scientists can glean valuable advice from Arpit’s emphasis on skill development, embracing opportunities, and the enduring journey of continuous learning.
For more engaging sessions on AI, data science, and GenAI, stay tuned with us on Leading with Data.
Check our upcoming sessions here.
Hello, I am Nitika, a tech-savvy Content Creator and Marketer. Creativity and learning new things come naturally to me. I have expertise in creating result-driven content strategies. I am well versed in SEO Management, Keyword Operations, Web Content Writing, Communication, Content Strategy, Editing, and Writing.
Tech Titan Aamod Sathe on AI, Startups, and the...
Charting the Entrepreneurial AI Journey with Pa...
Trailblazing Sarabjot Singh’s Journey of ...
Inside the Minds of Swiggy, Meta, Uber with Dav...
Solving Computer Vision Problems with Satya Mal...
Unlocking the Power of Analytics with Dr. Swati...
Pioneering Data Science in Latin America with F...
Want to Build a Career in Data Science? Learn f...
Decoding the Data Science Ecosystem with Vikas ...
Decoding the Data Landscape: Dr. Kiran R on Dat...
We use cookies essential for this site to function well. Please click to help us improve its usefulness with additional cookies. Learn about our use of cookies in our Privacy Policy & Cookies Policy.
Show details
This site uses cookies to ensure that you get the best experience possible. To learn more about how we use cookies, please refer to our Privacy Policy & Cookies Policy.
It is needed for personalizing the website.
Expiry: Session
Type: HTTP
This cookie is used to prevent Cross-site request forgery (often abbreviated as CSRF) attacks of the website
Expiry: Session
Type: HTTPS
Preserves the login/logout state of users across the whole site.
Expiry: Session
Type: HTTPS
Preserves users' states across page requests.
Expiry: Session
Type: HTTPS
Google One-Tap login adds this g_state cookie to set the user status on how they interact with the One-Tap modal.
Expiry: 365 days
Type: HTTP
Used by Microsoft Clarity, to store and track visits across websites.
Expiry: 1 Year
Type: HTTP
Used by Microsoft Clarity, Persists the Clarity User ID and preferences, unique to that site, on the browser. This ensures that behavior in subsequent visits to the same site will be attributed to the same user ID.
Expiry: 1 Year
Type: HTTP
Used by Microsoft Clarity, Connects multiple page views by a user into a single Clarity session recording.
Expiry: 1 Day
Type: HTTP
Collects user data is specifically adapted to the user or device. The user can also be followed outside of the loaded website, creating a picture of the visitor's behavior.
Expiry: 2 Years
Type: HTTP
Use to measure the use of the website for internal analytics
Expiry: 1 Years
Type: HTTP
The cookie is set by embedded Microsoft Clarity scripts. The purpose of this cookie is for heatmap and session recording.
Expiry: 1 Year
Type: HTTP
Collected user data is specifically adapted to the user or device. The user can also be followed outside of the loaded website, creating a picture of the visitor's behavior.
Expiry: 2 Months
Type: HTTP
This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the website is doing. The data collected includes the number of visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages visited in an anonymous form.
Expiry: 399 Days
Type: HTTP
Used by Google Analytics, to store and count pageviews.
Expiry: 399 Days
Type: HTTP
Used by Google Analytics to collect data on the number of times a user has visited the website as well as dates for the first and most recent visit.
Expiry: 1 Day
Type: HTTP
Used to send data to Google Analytics about the visitor's device and behavior. Tracks the visitor across devices and marketing channels.
Expiry: Session
Type: PIXEL
cookies ensure that requests within a browsing session are made by the user, and not by other sites.
Expiry: 6 Months
Type: HTTP
use the cookie when customers want to make a referral from their gmail contacts; it helps auth the gmail account.
Expiry: 2 Years
Type: HTTP
This cookie is set by DoubleClick (which is owned by Google) to determine if the website visitor's browser supports cookies.
Expiry: 1 Year
Type: HTTP
this is used to send push notification using webengage.
Expiry: 1 Year
Type: HTTP
used by webenage to track auth of webenagage.
Expiry: Session
Type: HTTP
Linkedin sets this cookie to registers statistical data on users' behavior on the website for internal analytics.
Expiry: 1 Day
Type: HTTP
Use to maintain an anonymous user session by the server.
Expiry: 1 Year
Type: HTTP
Used as part of the LinkedIn Remember Me feature and is set when a user clicks Remember Me on the device to make it easier for him or her to sign in to that device.
Expiry: 1 Year
Type: HTTP
Used to store information about the time a sync with the lms_analytics cookie took place for users in the Designated Countries.
Expiry: 6 Months
Type: HTTP
Used to store information about the time a sync with the AnalyticsSyncHistory cookie took place for users in the Designated Countries.
Expiry: 6 Months
Type: HTTP
Cookie used for Sign-in with Linkedin and/or to allow for the Linkedin follow feature.
Expiry: 6 Months
Type: HTTP
allow for the Linkedin follow feature.
Expiry: 1 Year
Type: HTTP
often used to identify you, including your name, interests, and previous activity.
Expiry: 2 Months
Type: HTTP
Tracks the time that the previous page took to load
Expiry: Session
Type: HTTP
Used to remember a user's language setting to ensure LinkedIn.com displays in the language selected by the user in their settings
Expiry: Session
Type: HTTP
Tracks percent of page viewed
Expiry: Session
Type: HTTP
Indicates the start of a session for Adobe Experience Cloud
Expiry: Session
Type: HTTP
Provides page name value (URL) for use by Adobe Analytics
Expiry: Session
Type: HTTP
Used to retain and fetch time since last visit in Adobe Analytics
Expiry: 6 Months
Type: HTTP
Remembers a user's display preference/theme setting
Expiry: 6 Months
Type: HTTP
Remembers which users have updated their display / theme preferences
Expiry: 6 Months
Type: HTTP
Used by Google Adsense, to store and track conversions.
Expiry: 3 Months
Type: HTTP
Save certain preferences, for example the number of search results per page or activation of the SafeSearch Filter. Adjusts the ads that appear in Google Search.
Expiry: 2 Years
Type: HTTP
Save certain preferences, for example the number of search results per page or activation of the SafeSearch Filter. Adjusts the ads that appear in Google Search.
Expiry: 2 Years
Type: HTTP
Save certain preferences, for example the number of search results per page or activation of the SafeSearch Filter. Adjusts the ads that appear in Google Search.
Expiry: 2 Years
Type: HTTP
Save certain preferences, for example the number of search results per page or activation of the SafeSearch Filter. Adjusts the ads that appear in Google Search.
Expiry: 2 Years
Type: HTTP
Save certain preferences, for example the number of search results per page or activation of the SafeSearch Filter. Adjusts the ads that appear in Google Search.
Expiry: 2 Years
Type: HTTP
Save certain preferences, for example the number of search results per page or activation of the SafeSearch Filter. Adjusts the ads that appear in Google Search.
Expiry: 2 Years
Type: HTTP
These cookies are used for the purpose of targeted advertising.
Expiry: 6 Hours
Type: HTTP
These cookies are used for the purpose of targeted advertising.
Expiry: 1 Month
Type: HTTP
These cookies are used to gather website statistics, and track conversion rates.
Expiry: 1 Month
Type: HTTP
Aggregate analysis of website visitors
Expiry: 6 Months
Type: HTTP
This cookie is set by Facebook to deliver advertisements when they are on Facebook or a digital platform powered by Facebook advertising after visiting this website.
Expiry: 4 Months
Type: HTTP
Contains a unique browser and user ID, used for targeted advertising.
Expiry: 2 Months
Type: HTTP
Used by LinkedIn to track the use of embedded services.
Expiry: 1 Year
Type: HTTP
Used by LinkedIn for tracking the use of embedded services.
Expiry: 1 Day
Type: HTTP
Used by LinkedIn to track the use of embedded services.
Expiry: 6 Months
Type: HTTP
Use these cookies to assign a unique ID when users visit a website.
Expiry: 6 Months
Type: HTTP
These cookies are set by LinkedIn for advertising purposes, including: tracking visitors so that more relevant ads can be presented, allowing users to use the 'Apply with LinkedIn' or the 'Sign-in with LinkedIn' functions, collecting information about how visitors use the site, etc.
Expiry: 6 Months
Type: HTTP
Used to make a probabilistic match of a user's identity outside the Designated Countries
Expiry: 90 Days
Type: HTTP
Used to collect information for analytics purposes.
Expiry: 1 year
Type: HTTP
Used to store session ID for a users session to ensure that clicks from adverts on the Bing search engine are verified for reporting purposes and for personalisation
Expiry: 1 Day
Type: HTTP
Cookie declaration last updated on 24/03/2023 by Analytics Vidhya.
Cookies are small text files that can be used by websites to make a user's experience more efficient. The law states that we can store cookies on your device if they are strictly necessary for the operation of this site. For all other types of cookies, we need your permission. This site uses different types of cookies. Some cookies are placed by third-party services that appear on our pages. Learn more about who we are, how you can contact us, and how we process personal data in our Privacy Policy.
Edit
Resend OTP
Resend OTP in 45s