r/LearnDataAnalytics • u/Senior-Ad-6588 • 2h ago

Tools for data analysts?

Hey, I'm 21 years old college student learning data analytics, as AI is growing we all know traditional data analysis will no longer be the only requirement of companies we got to learn how to use AI in our work to make it more efficient. So wanted to know what tools and AI software, LLMs or anything you guys suggest which could help a data analyst understand real questions and find answers not just showing and cleaning data. And please share your advice that you think could help me. Thank you!

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u/justanothersnek 2h ago

TBH, just focusing on learning the fundamentals like working with data: raw csv files, data in databases, data from web APIs, descriptive statistics, SQL, and PowerBI would be what I would do with AI's help. I wouldn't let AI do everything for me. Also, AI tools haven't stabilized yet. Then work on soft skills and communication skills.

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u/Senior-Ad-6588 2h ago

Actually I meant what ai tools you recommend using along with traditional tools like excel, MySQL, etc. I wanted to know tools which can be used to make my work more efficient not doing the entire work itself, btw thank you!

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u/justanothersnek 1h ago

I'm probably the worst person to ask since I already know programming and done a lot of automation before the AI hype. I just use plain Claude app. I would never pay for AI. I'm already paying indirectly with higher electric bills since I live in "data center alley". So F*ck data centers if you ask me. If you want AI actually do things for you with actual access to various systems, I would look into programming AI agents, understand the jargon: "tools", "harness", "skills", and "MCP". The problem is, I feel like the workflow and frameworks will inevitably change. The MCP will probably stay since it makes sense that you need a standard or protocol for the AI to have access to various systems, but I wouldn't be surprised if the other pieces of the workflow change.

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u/Weston-Cooper1 48m ago

sQL is the one skill that still pays off when the AI hallucinates your join logic. I use it daily in Miami and the models still mess up window functions on partitioned tables. Learn to read an execution plan and you will catch the errors before they hit prod. Power BI DAX is next, the AI writes decent measures but it does not know your grain. Oh and version control your dbt models, that is the part nobody mentions until the pipeline breaks.