Data keeps a quiet diary of the world. Every purchase, missed appointment, traffic slowdown, and lab result leaves a trace. Data science is the work of turning those traces into useful answers people can act on. It doesn't start with fancy math, it starts with a question someone cares about.
This guide explains what data science is in simple terms, how it works step by step, and where it shows up in everyday life. You'll also learn the three main uses of data science, the 5 stages of a typical project, the 4 types of data science work, and what skills you need to get started.
Finally, we'll clarify how data science relates to AI, since people often mix them up.
