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TaReCDa 2023 consolidated Machala as a regional meeting point for young people in data science, combining three weeks of virtual training with two days of in-person immersion, where students from Ecuador and Peru presented projects on real problems in the region.
TaReCDa 2023 was held on December 18 and 19 in Machala, Ecuador, under the slogan “Two countries, one community,” with a mixed format: virtual workshop (November 13–29) and two-day in-person workshop. The program offered 14 hours of mini-courses and virtual talks, followed by in-person presentations, panels, tourist activities, and a session for participants to present their research projects.
Objectives:
Objectives:
The workshop aimed to promote research in data science and computing among advanced students (7th–10th cycle) and strengthen a regional and international research community in South America. In addition to technical training, the event emphasized teamwork, discussions with experts, connections between students from different countries, and guidance toward graduate studies, including full support for travel, accommodation, and meals for those selected.
Exhibitors and institutional diversity
The program brought together researchers from Google DeepMind, Google Brain, Rice University, Weber State University, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Johnson & Johnson, the World Bank, and several universities in Ecuador and Peru. Notable speakers included Rubén Villegas (Google Brain, generative models), Vicente Ordóñez (Rice University, computer vision and deep learning), Leissi Castañeda (Johnson & Johnson, AI in pharmaceuticals), and Iván Ramírez (LarvIA and UTMACH), as well as organizers and speakers such as Eduardo Tusa, Tilsa Oré, Nils Murrugarra, and Vicente Ordóñez.
Virtual training: three intensive weeks
The virtual workshop took place between November 13 and 29, with six mini-courses and talks focused on the fundamentals and applications of data science:
Week 1 included “Statistics and Data Analysis” (Tilsa Oré) and “Chatbots, ChatGPT, and AI Applications” (Jorge Cordero), along with a session on “Effective Work Teams” (Eduardo Salas).
Week 2 focused on “Machine Learning Applications: Introduction to Deep Learning and Natural Language Applications” in two sessions with Vicente Ordóñez and Jefferson Hernández.
Week 3 combined computer vision (“How to Train Your Detector?” with Gilberto Ochoa), spatial data analysis for disasters and natural resources (Juan José Miranda), and a talk on employability and professional preparation (Joel Oré).
In-person workshop: talks, panel discussion, and networking
On December 18 and 19, the Technical University of Machala hosted an in-person workshop featuring thematic talks, a graduate panel, and networking opportunities.
Day 1 – Monday, December 18
The day began with registration and welcoming remarks from the authorities, followed by a series of technical presentations:
Recent advances in computer vision (Vicente Ordóñez, Rice University).
Climate finance in the developing world (Tilsa Oré, Rice University).
Analytics and AI for sustainability (José Córdova, ESPOL).
Generative AI and its applications (Jorge Cordero, UTPL).
Application of data science in IoT systems (Bertha Mazón, UTMACH).
Statistical methods for monitoring growth profiles in aquaculture (Valeria Quevedo, UDEP).
Before lunch, there was a TaReCDa 2022 session where outstanding work from the previous year was presented (career choice prediction, detection of cocoa diseases with AI, and image matching with ORB and RANSAC). The afternoon was reserved for rest, and in the evening, the panel “Path to a Doctorate” was held, where speakers shared their journeys toward graduate and doctoral programs, offering advice on applications, scholarships, and international academic life.
Day 2 – Tuesday, December 19
The second day opened with talks combining AI, geography, and development:
Human-centered urban analysis using geographic information, in online format (Matías Quintana, Singapore-ETH Centre).
AI for productive development (Iván Ramírez, LarvIA & UTMACH).
Understanding human reasoning through eye tracking, personality, and text (Nils Murrugarra, Weber State University).
The power of data science and AI in the pharmaceutical sector (Leissi Castañeda, Johnson & Johnson).
After a coffee break, Rubén Villegas (Google Brain) gave a session on generative models, connecting directly with current trends in AI. At noon, there was a tourist activity in the area, followed by lunch and transfers, and the afternoon was reserved for the presentation of student research projects, closing with the closing ceremony of the event.
Participants and binational character
The 2023 cohort included students from several universities in Ecuador (UTMACH, UTPL, among others) and Peru (UDEP, UNT, UNCP), confirming the binational nature of the workshop. Participants were selected based on academic performance, English proficiency, motivation for research, and commitment, with knowledge of Python also being valued, although not as an exclusive requirement.
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