Data Science Network for the Federal Public Service (DSNFPS)

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Approaching Generative Artificial Intelligence: Recommendations and Lessons Learned from AgPal Chat

Topics covered in this article: Other

Approaching Generative Artificial Intelligence: Recommendations and Lessons Learned from AgPal Chat

This article presents the development and implementation of AgPal Chat, a generative AI search tool designed to provide comprehensive federal, provincial, and territorial agricultural information to Canadians. Originating from the winning entry of the inaugural Canadian Public Service Data Challenge, AgPal Chat is accessible via the AgPal.ca website, offering a conversational interface to connect users with relevant agricultural data. The creation of AgPal Chat involved a collaborative effort across industry, academia, and government departments, aiming to enhance service delivery. This paper discusses the technical and policy lessons learned during the implementation process, highlighting key findings such as the use of Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) for improved AI accuracy, the importance of ethical guardrails for safe AI interactions, and the critical role of robust data governance and policy compliance in developing responsible AI systems.

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Automating Deployment Pipelines in Azure Data Factory

Topics covered in this article: Data processing and engineering

Automating Deployment Pipelines in Azure Data Factory

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC), widely utilizes Azure Repos and Azure Pipelines for managing the integration and deployment of data resources across different environments. As a growing data team, they are consistently exploring innovative approaches to tackle data engineering processes. Recently, they addressed the challenge of automating deployment pipelines for Azure Data Factory (ADF). This article delves into their journey of automating these pipelines, highlighting the benefits of continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices.

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Driving Donations: Analytics & ML Modelling for Enhancing Food Drive Operations

Topics covered in this article: Data processing and engineering

The Edmonton Food Drive (EFD) Project is a collaborative initiative involving NorQuest College, the LDS Church, and other partners aimed at optimizing the logistics of one of Alberta’s largest community food donation efforts. With over 400,000 meals distributed monthly to more than 40,000 individuals, the project addresses critical challenges in coordinating drop-off locations, managing pick-up processes, and planning efficient routes. To enhance operational efficiency and reduce logistical complexity, the project developed a machine learning-based solution focused on automating and improving food donation management. This approach streamlines resource allocation and transportation planning, ultimately strengthening the community’s capacity to combat food insecurity through data-driven collaboration.

Continue reading: Driving Donations: Analytics & ML Modelling for Enhancing Food Drive Operations


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