AI Data Scientist

Discovery Limited; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Innovative work environment

Opportunities for growth

Equal opportunities employer

Job summary

Discovery Limited is seeking an AI Data Scientist - Voice to drive innovative voice model integrations. The role focuses on natural language processing to enhance decision-making and customer experience through AI. Candidates with a quantitative degree and experience in ML workflows are encouraged to apply.

This dynamic role requires collaboration with tech teams to leverage voice AI capabilities and improve operational efficiency.

Join a visionary team where commitment to health and innovation guides our solutions in the insurance sector.

Qualifications

• Matric is essential.
• 2-4 years’ experience in a data science environment.
• Experience handling and analysing large datasets.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to deploying solutions from inception to business adoption.
• Deploy robust and scalable LLMs integrated into AI frameworks.
• Design automation workflows to improve speed and reduce costs.

Skills

SQL and working with databases

Python for data science and machine learning

TensorFlow, PyTorch, NLP and LLM packages

Familiarity with Azure services

Familiarity with Databricks

Education

Bachelor's degree in quantitative field

Honour’s or Master’s Degree

Job description

AI Data Scientist - Voice

Business Unit: Discovery Insure

Function: Data Sciences

Date: 2 Jul 2026

Discovery – Insure

About Discovery

Discovery’s core purpose is to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. We seek out and invest in exceptional individuals who understand and support our core purpose, and whose own values align with those of Discovery. Our fast-paced and dynamic environment enables smart, self-driven people to be their best. As global thought leaders, Discovery is passionate about innovating in order to not only achieve financial success, but to ignite positive and meaningful change within our society.

About Discovery Insure

Discovery Insure is committed to creating a nation of great drivers through our innovative Shared-value Insurance model. Discovery Insure is South Africa’s fastest growing short-term insurance company with comprehensive products that provide protection against current and emerging risks facing clients in the motor and home insurance sectors. Vitality Drive, an internationally-recognised and award-winning programme, is a key differentiator in the market that incentivises and rewards clients for driving well. The Vitality Drive programme has been scaled to local and international markets which now include Europe and the Middle East. The company employs over 1 000 people who are committed to putting our customers and financial advisers first by providing unique and innovative solutions and cover.

Key Purpose

An intermediate Data Scientist that will help develop and integrate natural language processing (NLP), advanced large language models (LLMs), with a particular focus on the use of voice models, voice chat bots and conversational design. These innovative capabilities will enable unstructured autonomous decision-making processes that involve voice, increase operational efficiency, and deliver personalized, audible customer experiences.

Areas of Responsibility

• Project Contribution: By collaborating with content specialists, data engineers and system architects, contribute to the deployment of solutions and delivery of projects from inception through to business adoption, with a particular focus on Voice AI.
• Model Development and Integration: Deploy robust and scalable LLMs that are integrated into AI frameworks, enhancing natural language processing capabilities.
• Advanced Data Retrieval Integration: Incorporate techniques like Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), vector databases, and semantic searches to improve precision and relevance in data extraction from large datasets.
• Automation Workflows: Design and implement automation workflows that improve speed and accuracy of processes, reducing manual intervention and operational costs.
• Performance Metrics and System Maintenance: Develop performance metrics to consistently evaluate the efficiency and accuracy of AI models. Actively monitor and maintain these systems to ensure they remain effective and adaptable.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that all AI models and data handling practices comply with relevant laws and ethical guidelines, preparing documentation and reports as required for regulatory bodies.
• Experimentation: Prototype ML systems and AI concepts, particularly those using NLP and LLMs, and evaluate the effects of different models and techniques on AI performance.
• Future Trends and Industry Insights: Continuously monitor advancements in AI and LLM technologies and review relevant academic literature and industry releases to ensure our strategies and implementations align with the latest innovations and standards.

Knowledge and Skills

• SQL and working with databases.
• Python for data science and machine learning.
• Competent with TensorFlow, PyTorch, NLP and LLM packages – Advantageous.
• Familiarity with Azure services – Advantageous.
• Familiarity with Databricks – Advantageous.

Education and Experience

• Matric (Essential)
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, Actuarial Science, Statistics, Operations Research, Industrial engineering, Applied Mathematics, or similar quantitative field.
• Honour’s or Master’s Degree in relevant field – Advantageous.
• 2-4 years’ experience in a data science environment.
• Demonstrated ability to implement ML workflows at scale, particularly using LLMs.
• Experience in handling, analysing, and extracting insights from large and complex datasets, particularly unstructured text data.
• Previous experience tuning open source and proprietary large language models – Advantageous.
• Previous experience with Voice AI models and conversational design – Advantageous.

Employment Equity

The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.