Why do statistics matter? Why are statisticians still needed? Is there more to analysis than coding?
Well, of course the answers are yes, yes and yes! But with increasingly complex global challenges, our profession and skills must adapt.
New challenges
The world faces new and more complex challenges, and statistics are no different. Given AI’s increased capability to ‘learn’, many people are questioning the role of statisticians and analysts more broadly. For example, Recent research by Microsoft suggests statisticians may be at risk from AI. So how can we continue to bring unique value?
While AI can be a powerful tool for data analysis and decision-making, it’s not failsafe. Organisations like Full Fact have demonstrated that AI systems can sometimes produce misleading or incorrect outputs, especially when interpreting complex data or context-sensitive information.
This is where the role of statisticians and expert analysts becomes essential. Statisticians bring a critical layer of expertise to verify data outputs. They understand the nuances of data, and can provide additional context. They can spot inconsistencies or biases, and can ensure that conclusions drawn from AI are both statistically sound and contextually appropriate.
Increasing data volumes and complexity nowadays often requires coding capability. This shift begs the question: is analysis now just coding? And with concerns about the UK’s numeracy levels, what is the future for these skills? While coding is undeniably a key part of modern data work, it’s not the whole story. Professional use of data is not just about being able to manipulate large flows of information, but being able to summarise and interpret them correctly. This requires analytical expertise.
Statistics for solutions
Statisticians and analysts, like all professions, must constantly adapt to our changing world.
To tackle global challenges, we need evidence. And at the Home Office, the statistics we publish are vital to keeping Britain safe and secure. There will always be a need to monitor and understand the world around us, whether understanding crime trends, tracking migration patterns or measuring the effectiveness of our interventions.
The challenges for statistics are an opportunity to focus on what makes statistics (and statisticians) different. In the Home Office, statisticians:
- Collect data on everything from border crossings to animal testing, through working with operational colleagues and external partners
- Validate and verify raw data, communicating issues with data providers
- Process complex datasets, questioning findings that might influence how we tackle challenges
- Produce analytical outputs that help ministers, leaders, and stakeholders understand emerging trends and opportunities
- Quality assure both the data and analysis, enhancing trust and value in the findings
- Interpret and explain statistics in context, to give value through meaning and insight
- Scope future analysis to help us stay ahead of evolving challenges.
What this means for all of us
Even if you don’t work directly with statistics, this matters for your role too. As business decisions increasingly depend on robust statistical evidence, understanding how statistics are produced and what they can (and can’t) tell us can makes all of us more effective in delivering our work . This is an essential role for the operation of a professional and competent government.
What next…
We must embrace both the challenges and opportunities from new technologies and use them to progress our work. AI might process data faster and produce more and interactive outputs, but these still need human interpretation, explanation and context. Statisticians remain essential for understanding what results mean, deciding what data to collect, and considering the impact on data providers.
By adapting our skills, we can show our continued value as statisticians in understanding our evolving world.