Theresa Thuong Phan
Summer Student Story
The program introduced us to the fundamentals of AI, strengthened our communication with data scientists, and equipped us to manage AI-driven projects.
Before enrolling in the Data Science and AI course at HEC Paris, I was a Regional Innovation Project Manager for Siemens Healthineers (a MedTech company), based out of Princeton, United States. The opportunity to take this course came through an exchange program at Imperial College London, where I was completing my Global MBA.
In healthcare, AI is a daily reality, from the 3D cameras in CT machines to the design of clinical decision support platforms, we’re constantly navigating the challenges and benefits of AI deployment. However, I recognized a gap in my ability to effectively collaborate with the technical AI research team from a managerial standpoint, or lead to the change. Coming from a Chemical Engineering background, a classic, old-school engineering discipline, I had no prior academic experience with AI. That's why I chose to focus on Innovation, and specifically Data Science and AI during my MBA.
Professor Vincent Fraitot's program at HEC Paris was excellent. Professor Fraitot was patient, capable of explaining complex technical concepts at various levels of understanding and largely focused our class time on practical case studies. For a real-world perspective on growth in this space, we even had the privilege of talking to the two founders of UniCogni, an AI startup out of Station F, who shared their vision and challenged us to brainstorm new data visualization features for their application (which by the way my team won!). The program introduced us to the fundamental concepts of AI, further strengthened our communication skills with data scientists and engineers, and equipped us to manage AI-driven projects/transformation initiatives.
I was one of the oldest in my cohort, and was surrounded by incredibly smart, energetic, and accomplished peers. The program was structured to encourage interaction between different courses (through events and workshops), so we had the opportunity to socialize and connect with many others beyond our classroom. As for the HEC Paris campus, it was kind of magical. Even in late June's heat, the campus offered so much: a lake, numerous hiking trails, hidden caves, a small castle, and abundant wildlife (swans, geese, deer, and horses!)
Overall, the Data Science and AI Summer Program was beneficial for me, even as a mid-career professional. It is best suited for those looking to bridge technical gaps, enhance collaboration with data science teams from a high-level perspective, or just curious about AI transformations in general. The campus environment itself at HEC Paris was incredible, and I got to meet some amazing, inspiring people who made the experience all the more valuable.