Data & AI Report – Data Science Trends September 2024

October 9, 2024

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September trends in data science saw introductions into advanced search engines, internal developments & data protection from potential AI threats.

We’ve covered some exciting news from some big names.

Read on for more on all these exciting developments!

Vinted migrate to Vespa – how the online second hand shopping phenomenon is keeping up with the growth & complexity of data

After hitting the limits of their previous search engine, Vinted were on a mission to find a more scalable alternative.

Introducing Vespa: an open-source search engine & vector database. Vespa supports vector and keyword search and searches within structured data, all in one query. It also integrates machine learning which enables real-time AI insights from their data. It’s proven to handle thousands of queries per second, making it the top-runner for managing large & complex data.

Already used by others including Spotify & Yahoo and with continuous application improvements being delivered, will we continue to see increased use of Vespa?

Read more about Vinted’s migration here.

QueryGBT – allowing easier and faster data analysis for Uber

Uber’s data platform handles a huge 1.2 million interactive queries each month. The idea of QueryGBT is to better manage real-time data analytics & to query massive datasets. A combination of Presto (open-source SQL query engine) and Apache Hudi, which has the capabilities for handling upserts and managing large volumes of data in a cloud-based or distributed environment.

The system is part of Uber’s broader efforts to handle large-scale, real-time data streaming and querying – integral to its data-driven approach to decision-making. It’s said to minimise generating reliable queries from 10 minutes down to 3 which is a massive productivity gain for Uber.

Using advanced AI, QueryGPT fits smoothly into Uber’s data system, cutting query time and increasing accuracy to handle their complex data needs.

Read more about the advancements here.

Dropbox & Lakera Guard securing LLM’s

In a blog posted this September, Dropbox delved into how they’re using Lakera Guard to protect their LLM’s from potential security threats posed by AI.

Citing the importance of maintaining the trust of their millions of users to protect their content, Dropbox talk about how they chose Lakera Guard last year to protect user data & uphold the reliability and trustworthiness of their intelligent features, as outlined in their AI principles.

What were Dropbox looking for in their quest for protection? Their considerations concluded that it has to be deployable on their existing infrastructure, have low latency, strong confidence scores and scope for continuous improvement.

Dropbox have since invested in Lakera Guard, proving their strong belief in it’s abilities. Furthermore, they’ve also collaborated with the teams to develop improvements on the software itself. Working closely with Lakera, Dropbox have been able to help them meet their requirements whilst achieving their own security goals, too!

Read the full blog here.

Conclusion

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, companies like Vinted, Uber and Dropbox are navigating many complexities. Vinted’s switch to Vespa demonstrates the importance of scalable search engines as companies grow. Uber’s QueryGBT highlights the need for faster and more accurate data analytics. Meanwhile, Dropbox’s partnership with Lakera Guard emphasises the need to secure AI systems to ensure data remains protected as AI technologies advance.

Data Jobs in the Netherlands

Interested in a new adventure within the data world?
For information on data jobs in the Netherlands, get in touch.

World AI Week 2024: Amsterdam, 7-11 October

October 7, 2024

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Bought to Amsterdam by InspiredMinds, organisers of the World Summit AI & Intelligent Health global summit series. World AI Week is an annual global event that brings together industry leaders, researchers & enthusiasts to discuss the latest developments, trends & the future of artificial intelligence. The event features a series of conferences, workshops and panels with focus on aspects such as AI’s application within different industries and the ongoing advancement in technology.

Our Picks for World AI Week 2024

World Summit AI – 9 & 10 October
Closely associated with World AI Week, this is the world’s largest AI summit with the conference seeing 6000 attendees and 200 speakers.

Women in AI Breakfast – October 10
An event in collaboration with InspiredMinds. An opportunity to connect, collaborate & support in the mission to bridge the gender gap in the tech industry.

Music Meditation – October 9
Something a little different combining music creativity with AI. A 30-minute performance and exploration of how human skill and AI can work together, taking the audience on a relaxing journey through different musical styles.

AI Regulation – October 10
An interactive workshop on practical strategies for AI regulation, encouraging innovation whilst maintaining ethical standards. A way to learn about valuable tools and insights to help navigate and influence the changing world of AI regulation.

Global World AI Week promises to be a dynamic and inspiring event, bringing together the brightest minds in AI to explore its future impact on industries and society.

As AI continues to progress, the importance of fostering a responsible, transparent, and inclusive approach is more critical than ever. By collaborating, sharing insights, and establishing robust guidelines, we can harness AI’s power to build a future that benefits all of society.

For full World AI Week programme & information, visit their website here.

September Tech Funding Roundup: A Surge in Innovation and Investment

October 1, 2024

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September marked a significant month for tech funding, seeing thirteen rounds ranging from pre-seed to Series D, a significant jump from just five rounds in August. As summer is often a quieter period, this uptick could indicate the start of a larger funding surge.

We’ve highlighted some of the most exciting deals from September – take a look at the standout investments below!
Talk360 raises €1.3 million in seed funding to fuel next phase of growth

Amsterdam-based Talk360 raises €1.3 million in seed funding, led by long-standing investor Hanaic. Talk360 is revolutionising communication in African communities and doing amazing work in enabling connectivity, regardless of geographic barriers.

The capital injection will drive the company’s goal of connecting seven million people by 2025.

€2.2 million secured by Userguest & their commitment to innovation

Hotel tech startup Userguest aims to empower hotels around the world and maximise their potential by enhancing direct revenue.

The €2.2 million funding, led by Ala Mada Ventures, is to be used to enhance product offerings & accelerate growth.

AI-Powered platform, Churned, raises €2.5 million in funding round

Led by Newion & Volta Ventures, plus support from existing investor Goldfish, this latest funding round for Churned reflects growing investor confidence in AI-driven solutions.

The investment positions Churned as a key player in the rapidly evolving customer retention landscape and will continue to do so as they use the funding to accelerate growth  & expansion.

Rotterdam-based Engaige successfully raises €1 million to enhance customer service for companies

The Graduate Entrepreneur Fund led this round of seed funding and has seen Engaige raise €1 million to further enhance customer support through AI automation.

The funding will aid in team expansion and an accelerated international rollout of the platform.

These impressive funding rounds signal a promising period of growth & innovation within the tech landscape. Check back next month to see what October brings!

October Event Highlights

September 24, 2024

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If attending the biggest and best events is your thing, here’s a roundup of some of the top events happening in the Netherlands in October 👇

AI & Big Data Expo – Amsterdam Rai – October 1-2

Leading event for Enterprise AI, Machine Learning, Security, Ethical AI, Deep Learning, Data Ecosystems, and NLP.

Snowflake World Tour Amsterdam – Zaandam – October 3

Check out Snowflake’s latest advancements in AI, open table formats, streaming, privacy-preserving collaboration, flexible programmability, application development and much more

Bitcoin Amsterdam – Westergas – October 9-10

A two-day forum on Bitcoin’s global future and the trends that are tipping the scales.

PyCon NL – Utrecht – October 10

The first ever Pycon conference, curious minds converge to explore the endless possibilities of this dynamic language.

Frontmania – Utrecht – October 10

Join 600+ attendees to share knowledge, ideas and know-how concerning the newest frontend technologies and innovations.

Visit the event links for more info and to book your ticket now!

Tech Salary Trends in the Dutch Market

September 12, 2024

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As part of our comprehensive technology market & salary insights report, we surveyed 1,621 technology professionals based in the Netherlands, providing a snapshot of the industry’s financial landscape.  

In this blog post, we’ll give you a sneak peek into our findings, focusing on various job roles, key trends, and benefits that tech professionals value the most. If you want the full breakdown, you’ll need to download the full report!  

Who We Surveyed 

Before we dive into the salary data, let’s talk about who participated in our survey. Our respondents include a diverse range of tech professionals from software developers and data scientists to engineering managers 

This broad spectrum ensures that our findings provide a holistic view of the Dutch tech market.  

Key Salary Insights 

Our survey reveals key trends in developer salaries, highlighting which skills command the highest pay and where opportunities are growing. If you want to see how your salary matches up, download the full report. 

High-Earning Roles 

Golang developers lead in compensation, indicating strong demand for Go skills, particularly in cloud-native applications and the FinTech sector. Python developers also command high salaries, reflecting their versatility and significant role in AI and machine learning. Typescript and JVM roles offer competitive pay, underscoring their value in modern development landscapes. 

Lower Salary Ranges 

On the other end of the spectrum, PHP and Ruby developers tend to see lower salary ranges. This suggests that demand for these languages might be more niche or diminishing, possibly because newer, more efficient languages are taking their place. 

Specialised Roles 

Platform Engineers are crucial for businesses aiming to scale, and their expertise is reflected in competitive salaries. Data Scientists and Data Engineers are also in high demand as companies increasingly rely on advanced analytics and AI to drive innovation and stay competitive. 

Trends and Strategic Insights 

Economic Uncertainty and Strategic Hiring 

The current economic climate has led businesses to be more strategic in hiring. While there’s still a strong need for skilled professionals, companies are focusing on roles that offer the most value. This strategic hiring approach is evident in the increasing demand for Platform Engineers, who are essential for scalability. 

The Evolution of Tech Leadership Roles 

We’ve observed a shift in demand for tech leadership positions. Companies are streamlining operations by reducing headcount and consolidating leadership roles. One notable trend is the emergence of the Combined Technology and Product Officer (CTPO) role, merging tech and product leadership under a single person.  

User Experience and Design 

Tech companies are putting more emphasis on user experience, design, and accessibility than ever. Strong UI/UX skills are becoming increasingly valuable as users grow less tolerant of poor interfaces. However, keeping salaries competitive in today’s market remains a challenge. 

Mobile Development 

The demand for mobile developers persists, but companies are becoming more strategic in their hiring. Android and iOS Developers demonstrate salary growth from junior to lead/principal levels. React Native Developers also enjoy competitive salaries across all levels, reflecting the need for cross-platform skills. 

Quality Assurance 

QA skills continue to be valued, but economic pressures are making companies more cautious with compensation. The focus remains on maintaining high-quality standards while managing budgets carefully. 

Advanced Skills and Salary Growth 

While advanced skills are still in demand, the market’s current state is slowing the connection between these skills and salary growth. Companies are balancing innovation with financial caution as they plan for future growth. 

Employee Benefits 

Flexibility and Trust 

Our survey highlights a strong preference for flexible work arrangements. Hybrid work remains popular, with most respondents favouring it over fully remote or office-based setups. Nomad working is an overwhelming desire among those surveyed, reflecting a strong wish for trust and autonomy in their work. 

Performance Bonuses 

Bonuses tied to personal performance are highly desired but not as commonly offered. Balancing these incentives with available resources can be challenging but is essential for maintaining employee satisfaction. 

Continuous Learning 

The demand for training programs is evident, with 60% of respondents seeking to enhance their skills. Offering flexible opportunities or a personal development budget can boost employee sentiment and skill growth, benefiting the organisation. 

Conclusion 

For more detailed insights, including specific salary breakdowns by job title and field, don’t miss out on downloading our full report. 

Discover How Your Salary Compares – Get the Report 

contact our team.