CraftEcon Workshop
100% Scholarship
- In-person
- 28th & 29th September
- 9:00 AM - 5:00PM
*Travel and Accommodation will not be provided to the participants.
Overview
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DS & AI) are revolutionizing the field of economics by offering advanced tools for complex analysis, modeling, and forecasting of socio-economic conditions. Economists are now leveraging AI models, such as neural networks, to outperform traditional econometric methods in predicting key economic indicators like GDP growth and inflation. Research, including a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, has demonstrated that machine learning algorithms can reduce forecasting errors by up to 30%, highlighting the significant impact of DS & AI on economic analysis.
Beyond forecasting, DS & AI are instrumental in areas such as housing market analysis, flood prediction, and poverty assessment. By integrating Geospatial technologies like Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and real-time data analytics, policymakers can make informed decisions that address critical challenges in urban development and disaster management.
- About the Workshop
Fully funded by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) – Pakistan and executed by atomcamp, the 2-day CraftEcon Workshop aims to build data analysis capacity in students. As the country navigates its socio-economic challenges, proficiency in DS&AI can be a game-changer. This intensive workshop aims to empower young minds with advanced skills, preparing them to be at the forefront of the evolving intersection between economics, data science, and artificial intelligence. This workshop is ideal for university students enrolled in Economics or Data Science degrees in their 3rd year of university.
- Objective
This workshop aims to achieve the following objectives:
- Increase the economic understanding of young professionals in Pakistan.
- Equip students with essential digital skills to enhance their employability in the development sector.
- Enhance the understanding of students in Data Science for economics leading to Policy-making.
- Who Should Attend?
University students pursuing their undergraduate degree in Economics and currently in their 5th or 6th semester.
Agenda
- Day 1
Time | Task |
|---|---|
10am – 1pm | Core Economic Principles: An exploration into the foundational tenets that drive
economies Global Economic Shifts: Analyzing the major transitions and trends influencing the world economy |
1pm – 2pm | Break |
2pm – 3pm | Introduction to Data Science and AI in Economic Analysis -Data Science and AI Techniques in Economic Analysis -Use Case: Policy Analysis and Decision Making using AI |
3pm – 5pm | Case Study: Generative AI for Economic Analysis |
- Day 2
Time | Task |
|---|---|
10am- 11:30am | Economic Ecosystems: Exploring the intricate web of interconnected decisions in the world of economics |
11:30am – 1pm | Geospatial data analysis and Geo AI for economic analysis |
1pm – 2pm | Break |
2pm – 5pm | Using Power BI and activity – Basics to DAX Function – Visualizing economic impact – Case study activity |
Meet the Trainers
Dr. Aneel Salman
Dr Aneel Salman, holds the distinguished OGDCL-IPRI Chair of Economic Security at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) in Pakistan. As a leading international economist, he specialises in Monetary Resilience, Diplomacy, Leadership, Transnational Trade Dynamics, Strategy-driven Policy Formulation, and the multifaceted challenges of Climate Change. Internationally, he has been affiliated with the Rensselaer University-USA, Harvard University-USA, Cambridge University-UK and the University of Bern-Switzerland, amongst several others. He is a visiting Professor at Institut Supérieur d’Economie et de Management Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis France and Tsinghua University, Beijing, Peoples Republic of China. His high-impact research has been widely recognised and adopted, influencing strategic planning and policymaking across various sectors and organisations in Pakistan. Beyond his academic prowess, Dr Salman is a Master Trainer, having imparted his expertise to bureaucrats, Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), military personnel, diplomats, and other key stakeholders furthering the cause of informed economic decision-making and resilience.
Dr. Naveed Iftikhar
Dr. Naveed Iftikhar is the cofounder of atomcamp.com and polix.ai. He has been helping cities and organizations in optimizing their potential through data/AI-driven initiatives. Drawing on his experience in teaching urban management, data analytics, and economic policy at various universities, bootcamps, and professional training institutes, he has empowered thousands of students and professionals with the necessary skills to transform intricate concepts into practical, actionable insights. Through strategy consulting roles, he has spearheaded transformative initiatives in the fields of AI, data science, urban policy and organizational performance. Dr. Naveed holds an M.Phil. in Economics and a PhD in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy and Administration. His PhD dissertation focused on cities, technology and knowledge spillovers.
Mahnoor Salman
Mahnoor Salman is the co-founder and Senior AI Engineer at atomcamp.She has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and then completed her MBA from NUST. She holds prestigious accreditations from IBM and works as a senior AI engineer at atomcamp, contributing to cutting-edge data analysis and machine learning solutions focused on business growth. Her passion for teaching led her to being a Python-Mathematics and AI trainer in data science bootcamps in Pakistan as well as in the USA. Recently she delivered an AI bootcamp training in Azerbaijan for a combined project of COMSATS secretariat and government of Azerbaijan.
Fatima Zahra
Fatima Zahra is a Data Scientist at atomcamp. She is a dynamic professional with a strong academic foundation, holding a Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) and a BS (Hons) in Accounting & Finance. She has worked at esteemed organizations such as Telenor Pakistan, Islamabad Serena Hotel, Zones, INC, and OVEX Technologies. In her current role she is working as a Business Intelligence Specialist at Polix Analytics/atomcamp.
Usama Shahid
Usama Shahid is working as a Geoinformatics Engineer and Data Scientist at atomcamp. He has done his Bachelor’s degree in Geoinformatics. Usama has delivered a number of webinars on the AI use case in Geoinformatics.