Why data science still matters (even with LLMs)

ML predicts. Data science decides. Models are cheap; the hard parts are framing the question, fixing the data, defining “good,” and landing the result where a decision gets made. Data science turns messy inputs into trustworthy signals, chooses the simplest model that works, checks bias/drift, and wires the output into the workflow (dashboards, alerts, APIs). That’s how public services answer faster, FMCG teams plan inventory better, and smart-city ops stay ahead of issues. ML is the engine; data science is the steering, brakes, and dashboard. Together is how value ships.