the analytics vault
Resources: 136 (72 new this week)
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Why dumping spreadsheets into ChatGPT isn't actually data science

Original: Large Language Models Can't Handle ALL Your Data Problems.

May 28, 2025
11 min read
Opinion
Intermediate
Language Models Can't Handle ALL Your Data Problems

Summary

While large language models have impressive capabilities, they are not a panacea for all data challenges. This blog post underscores the importance of understanding the limitations of these models and leveraging specialized techniques and tools to tackle complex data problems effectively. Data professionals, including data engineers, analysts, and business intelligence analysts, can benefit from this insight to optimize their data management and analysis workflows.

Who This Is For

Data Scientists
Business Analysts
Analytics Engineers

Key Takeaways

  • Learn why text prediction models (LLMs) fundamentally differ from data analysis models like gradient boosted trees
  • Understand when to use specialized statistical models instead of forcing everything through chat interfaces
  • Recognize that different AI approaches (transformers, SVMs, neural networks) solve completely different problems
  • Stop conflating all AI tools as interchangeable and pick the right model class for your specific data task

Tools & Technologies

GPT/Gemini/Claude Google Sheets Apps Script GCP NLP API Pandas Gradient boosted trees Support Vector Machines Transformers

Topics Covered

data-warehouses column-store snowflake bigquery redshift

More from Juliana Jackson

Let the Regression To The Mean Do Its Thing.

When AI makes us forget how to think critically about data

This blog post offers a valuable lesson for analytics professionals: embrace the natural phenomenon of regression to the mean and let it guide your data analysis. By understanding and leveraging this statistical principle, you can make more informed decisions, avoid common biases, and uncover meaningful insights that drive business impact. Whether you're a data analyst, business analyst, or product analyst, this post provides a thought-provoking perspective on how to approach your work with a deeper statistical understanding.

Juliana Jackson May 28, 2025
Intermediate
Insights Without Owners Don't Move Organizations

Why your brilliant insights sit there collecting digital dust

Actionable insights are the backbone of successful organizations, but they're only as powerful as the ownership and action they inspire. This blog post underscores the vital importance of embedding analytics within cross-functional teams, ensuring insights drive real business impact. Marketing analysts, product managers, and brand strategists will learn proven techniques to transform data into impactful decisions that move the needle for their organizations.

Juliana Jackson May 28, 2025
Intermediate
Why Unit Economics Outlast Growth Metrics

Why unit economics actually matter more than those flashy growth charts

Understanding unit economics is essential for analytics professionals in SaaS and product-driven businesses. This post emphasizes how focusing on granular, per-customer profitability metrics can outlast vanity growth metrics, providing a more sustainable view of business performance. By mastering techniques to analyze customer acquisition costs, lifetime value, and other unit-level metrics, analysts can uncover crucial insights to inform strategic decision-making and drive long-term success.

Juliana Jackson May 28, 2025
Intermediate

Related Resources in Technology Foundations

Topics

data-warehouses column-store snowflake bigquery redshift