Applied analytics is at the center of the AI revolution in data. Artificial intelligence in analytics is rapidly reshaping industries, transforming the tools analysts use and how businesses make decisions. It’s changing team structures, shifting responsibilities, and redefining the skills needed to succeed.
As AI adds more predictive, automated, and generative capabilities to the field, the focus increasingly turns toward applied analytics, which emphasizes the practical use of data to drive real-world decisions. Analysts, data engineers, and economists are helping organizations anticipate future outcomes and understand the reasons behind them.
This evolution presents new challenges, creates fresh opportunities, and increases demand for professionals with strong technical expertise and the agility to collaborate across disciplines.
Through hands-on coursework and the school’s annual symposium on emerging trends in applied analytics and economics, students in the Master of Science in Applied Analytics (MSAA) and Master of Science in Applied Economics (MSAE) programs gain experience with real-world challenges, such as the growing impact of AI. This article explores how AI is transforming data and analytics, what it means for emerging professionals, and how graduate study at Boston College is leading the conversation on AI’s impact in data and analytics.
What AI Means for the Future of Analytics
Analytics was once purely retrospective, focused on collecting and analyzing historical data to identify trends and shape long-term strategies. Today, AI has made the field far more dynamic.
Machine learning, natural language processing, and automation are now embedded in many of the tools data teams use. These technologies power real-time dashboards, automate analysis, and deliver insights in minutes rather than weeks. Organizations increasingly rely on AI to inform decisions, generate forecasts, recommend actions and simulate outcomes. These capabilities are becoming standard across industries from finance and healthcare to transportation and media.
At recent Boston College symposiums, these shifts have taken center stage. Faculty and guest speakers have examined how AI is transforming data tools, influencing decision-making and prompting companies to rethink their business strategies.
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Changing Roles: From Analyst to AI-Savvy Problem Solver
As AI becomes more integrated into daily operations, the roles of analysts and engineers are rapidly evolving. Analysts still manage tasks like data cleaning, querying, and interpretation, but now they also work closely with AI tools, understanding how models function and applying them to business decisions.
Data engineers, particularly those in machine learning, are expanding their scope. They design and maintain AI systems, ensure their ethical use, collaborate across departments, and help scale solutions aligned with long-term goals.
These shifts are fueling demand for AI-fluent professionals who can not only operate advanced tools but also interpret complex models and apply insights strategically. Emerging roles like machine learning engineer, AI data analyst, data translator, and AI product manager are increasingly vital. These positions require a mix of technical expertise, communication skills, ethical judgment, and strategic thinking. ”Problem-solving skills matter more than technical skills today,” Nuretkin Savas, vice president and head of enterprise data science at Capital One, observed at BC Woods’ 2025 Analytics & Industry Symposium.
Today’s professionals must go beyond writing code or generating reports. They must understand the larger business context, navigate the challenges AI brings, collaborate across teams, and clearly communicate insights to both technical and non-technical audiences. As Derya Isler, head of AI at Sirius XM, observed during her keynote speech at the 2025 symposium, “Communication is important. How you explain your AI model, what it does, why it does what it does… Not everyone understands how AI works.”
Faculty member Lawrence Fulton pointed out in the AI Applications to Business, Economics, Analytics, and Finance panel discussion at the 2025 symposium, “If you can’t communicate the results of models or of your analysis, then you aren’t getting the job done. People expect you to be able to talk to them about how this all works.”
In-Demand Skills in the Age of AI
As the field of analytics becomes increasingly technical and collaborative, employers are seeking professionals with a blend of technical and interpersonal skills.
Technical skills include proficiency in programming languages such as Python and SQL, experience with cloud platforms, and expertise in data infrastructure and modeling. As AI tools become more integrated into analytics work, skills such as prompt writing, machine learning operations, and real-time forecasting also become increasingly important. “Building the model is just the first step. Making sure it continues to work well and solves the problem you designed it for is way harder,” Josh Ainsley, head of data science at New Balance, warned during the AI Applications to Business, Economics, Analytics, and Finance panel discussion.
Interpersonal skills help professionals apply their knowledge effectively. Communication, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and problem-solving are highly valued, along with traits like curiosity, motivation, empathy, adaptability, and teamwork.
This hybrid skill set is increasingly essential. Today’s top professionals must grasp the technical foundations of analytics and also understand the strategic needs of the organizations they support. “Learn and be curious,” Savas advised during the panel discussion. “Do whatever is needed to continue to learn.”
How Boston College Prepares Students for the Future of Data and Analytics
Boston College’s Woods College of Advancing Studies offers two graduate programs designed to equip students for success in a rapidly evolving data landscape. The Master of Science in Applied Analytics (MSAA) and Master of Science in Applied Economics (MSAE) (a dual-degree option to earn both the MSAA and the MSAE is available as well) emphasize hands-on learning, real-world application, and instruction from industry-experienced faculty.
“A lot of [faculty] are practitioners, and they have a lot of very good advice and relevant information about where the industry is going,” notes Nick Wofford, MSAA ‘24. This practical approach helps students bridge the gap between theory and application, offering firsthand insight into how AI and analytics are used in professional settings.
The MSAA program trains students to tackle complex problems across industries using advanced data techniques. The curriculum focuses on four core areas: data, technology, business, and human-centric skills such as communication and leadership. A highlight of the program is the Applied Analytics Project, a capstone-style experience where students take an AI initiative from concept to completion. Along the way, they develop technical expertise, project management skills, and the ability to present findings clearly to stakeholders.
The MSAE program builds strong foundations in economic reasoning and analytical modeling. Students learn to analyze market trends, evaluate policies, and develop data-driven forecasts using real-world datasets. “I really liked how the emphasis was on taking what you learn in the classroom and applying it to a project in a real-world scenario,” said MSAE student Gina Occhipinti. “You actually have experience to show potential employers.”
Both programs offer flexible online formats with full-time and part-time options. Students can tailor their studies to be broad-based or specialized, depending on their career goals. In addition to academic support, Woods College provides career services including one-on-one coaching and recruitment events to help students connect with employers and advance their careers.
AI in Action: The Woods College Analytics and Industry Symposium
Boston College’s Woods College of Advancing Studies hosts an annual Analytics and Industry Symposium that highlights its commitment to applied, future-focused education. The event brings together students, faculty, and industry leaders to explore how AI is reshaping the fields of applied analytics and economics.
Students showcase capstone-style projects developed through hands-on coursework, presenting to senior professionals in analytics and AI. These presentations offer more than a chance to demonstrate skills—they provide valuable feedback, real-world perspective, and professional exposure.
“It was great to have eyes on the projects from heads of AI at different companies,” said Trevor Petrin, MSAA ’25. “Not just to show what we did, but to understand how we might improve.”
Recent symposium themes have explored AI’s growing influence on data tools, job roles, and decision-making processes. Past keynote speakers from companies such as SurveyMonkey, IBM, and PayPal have offered students direct insight into emerging industry trends.
The symposium serves as a dynamic bridge between classroom learning and the evolving demands of the workplace, giving students a platform to engage with the big questions shaping their fields.
What’s Next: Your Future in AI-Enhanced Analytics
As AI continues to transform the analytics landscape, it’s not replacing human expertise. Rather, it’s amplifying it. The future belongs to professionals who can harness AI tools, interpret results, and apply critical thinking and leadership to drive smarter decisions. As Gary Arora, chief architect at Deloitte, put it during the AI: Advancing Human Well-Being or Incresing Inequality? panel: “AI is an elevator that’s able to take people to new heights. But, you do have to be inside the elevator to get there.”
Whether you’re entering the field, advancing in your current role, or considering a career change, Boston College’s Master of Science in Applied Analytics and Master of Science in Applied Economics programs offer a clear path forward. These programs combine technical training, hands-on experience, and strategic insight to prepare you for leadership in a world shaped by artificial intelligence in analytics. The core curriculum in the MSAA program focuses on AI tools and applications and offers a range of AI-related electives.
Explore the programs to see how the skills you’ll gain align with today’s data-driven demands. If you’re ready to take the next step, schedule an application walkthrough or start your application today.