Meet-up
Does AI Eat Data Science for Breakfast?

AI is everywhere — headlinespromise instant insights, automated decisions, and revolutionary change. Butcan AI truly replace the expertise, rigor, and strategy of solid Data Science?

Join us for an exclusive Meetupfor data scientists, analysts, and AI enthusiasts to explore this question indepth. Discover how Generative AI, Machine Learning, and proven Data Sciencepractices can complement each other to create measurable, real-world impact —beyond the hype. Hear firsthand from industry experts about successes,challenges, and lessons learned from practical applications.

 

Where? When?

October 7, at 5 p.m.

PAYBACK office, 28 Towarowa Street, Warsaw

Why Attend?

Gain insights from leading professionals at PAYBACK and Goldenore, including a keynote by Norbert Wirth, Global VP Data at PAYBACK GROUP. Learn how to harness AI responsibly and understand the opportunities and limitations of today’s technology. This is your chance to exchange ideas, network with peers, and connect with professionals navigating similar challenges in AI and Data Science.Reserve Your Spot Now – Spaces Are Limited!

1.Norbert Wirth “Does AI Eat Data Science for Breakfast?”


2.Arkadiusz Słowik

Beyond AI Hype: CausalML and Optimization in Push Notifications

This talk presents a real-world case study on optimizing push notifications. Initially, an optimizer was used to assign users to campaigns, but every user still faced the same fixed notification frequency. This one-size-fits-all rule proved limiting — some users were overwhelmed and opted out, while others received too few notifications and stayed disengaged.
To address this, we enhanced the approach with CausalML and advanced optimization techniques. By estimating individual treatment effects and reusing the solver to allocate notifications under business constraints, we established personalized frequency limits for each user. The outcome was higher engagement without a significant rise in opt-outs.
The key takeaway: AI hype does not replace Data Science fundamentals. Causal inference and optimization remain essential in building effective, real-world systems.

3. Jakub Fila

AI: Hype vs Solid Foundations

Inrecent years, artificial intelligence has become one of the most frequentlydiscussed topics in business and technology. Around AI, many expectations haveemerged – from automating everything to achieving immediate competitiveadvantages. However, the “AI hype” often overshadows what truly determines thesuccess of implementations: solid technological and organizational foundations.

Withouthigh-quality data, proper system architecture, security, and a coherentstrategy, it is difficult to realize the real benefits of AI. Truetransformation therefore does not begin with AI itself, but with buildingreliable foundations that allow an organization to fully and safely leverageits potential.

Inthis session, we will discuss how to feed AI agents with data and how toprepare data platforms for effective AI implementations.


Presenters

Norbert Wirth

Global VP Data at PAYBACK, draws on his experience in end-to-end Data Science product development, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, the digital ecosystem, data operating models, and algorithm development. His professional experience, continuous engagement in various industry bodies, and regular appearance at international conferences as keynote speaker and moderator make him a thought leader in data driven solution development, applied artificial intelligence and data management. Before joining PAYBACK, Norbert was ramping up and managing Sqooba Germany and SUPERCRUNCH by GfK, two Data Science startups. He worked as Director Data Science and AI at PwC, Global Head of Data and Science and Global Head of Innovation and Digital at GfK.

Norbert Wirth PAY-BACK

Arkadiusz Slowik

Global VP Data at PAYBACK, Data Scientists at PAYBACK, is a passionate Data Scientist dedicated to solving complex business challenges with data-driven insights. A former hackathon enthusiast, he brings a creative and competitive edge to problem-solving. In his daily work, he focuses on end-to-end machine learning workflows, from data to deployment. Beyond projects, he is deeply committed to sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration within the data and AI community. 

Jakub Fila

Global VP Data at PAYBACK, Senior Data Architect at Goldenore is an experienced IT architect with over 25 years of professional experience.
A graduate of Applied Mechanics and Physics / Applied Mathematics and an MBA program in managerial accounting and finance from the Warsaw University of Technology, Jakub combines deep technical knowledge with strong business acumen. His expertise spans systems and solution architecture, application design and efficient coding, data warehousing and big data processing, numerical computation, and self-learning algorithms.
He gained his experience working for companies such as IBM, Teradata, Accenture, Deloitte Digital, and BCG Platinion, among others.
Beyond work, Jakub enjoys mountain climbing, triathlon, and spending time with his son. A lifelong learner, he’s passionate about music, books, and regularly shares his insights at technical conferences and knowledge-sharing meetups.