Brought to you by the award winning journal, Harvard Data Science Review, our podcast highlights news, policy, and business through the lens of data science. Each episode is a “case study” into how data is used to lead, mislead, manipulate, and inform the important decisions facing us today.
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Once the stuff of science fiction, deepfake technology has rapidly become one of the most powerful—and consequential—applications of generative AI, blurring the line between reality and illusion and reshaping how we trust what we see and hear online. This month we delve into this phenomenon with Professor Hany Farid, a pioneer in digital forensics, and Professor Siwei Lyu, whose lab develops state-of-the-art deepfake detection methods.Together, they’ll walk us through the data journey—from the v...
This month, we welcome back one of our most popular guests—MIT Professor Andrew Lo—for an insightful exploration into the complexities of tariffs. In this episode, we break down what tariffs are, how they work, and their far-reaching economic and political impacts. Our conversation delves into the challenges of predicting tariff outcomes, the need for better data-driven policies, and offers practical advice for individual investors navigating periods of economic uncertainty. Join us for a fascin...
This month we explore sleep, which is at the center of some of the most exciting developments in data science and health research. Joining us is Dr. Rebecca Robbins, sleep expert and co-author of Sleep for Success!, whose work explores how we can unlock better sleep and healthier lives. From wearable tech and machine learning to behavioral changes, we explore the evolving landscape of sleep research: what the data says about our changing sleep habits, which modern sleep trends actually work (and...
This month, we're delving into the thrilling world of Formula 1 racing—a high-octane blend of speed and data analytics that drives innovation both on and off the track. Joining us is Rob Smedley, renowned F1 race engineer and strategist with extensive experience at Ferrari, Williams, and the Formula One Group. We'll discuss Rob's journey into this fascinating sport, how data shapes race strategies and driver development, and the biggest transformations AI has brought to Formula 1. Whether you're...
This month we are exploring emerging technologies and how they are transforming the way we approach romantic connections. How are AI tools and algorithms changing the way people meet? Can an app actually help you land more dates? And what does all of this mean for the future of dating and long-term relationships? Join us as we talk to two experts who unpack these big questions and share insights on how AI is impacting our love lives. Our guests: Kathryn Coduto, Assistant Professor of Media Scien...
Once thought of as a gadget of some futuristic fiction, WHOOP and other wearable devices are leading the charge in personal health from real-time data. This revolutionizes how we eat, sleep, train, and recover. This month, we delve into that process with WHOOP’s founder and CEO, Will Ahmed, who will guide us through the entire data journey—from the moment it’s captured on your wrist to the insightful metrics you see on your phone. Whether you’re a health enthusiast, an aspiring entrepreneur, or ...
Creativity is often believed to be a uniquely human trait, but what happens when artificial intelligence starts to blur the line between human imagination and machine innovation? For this month’s episode, we are joined by four extraordinary guests who are shaping the intersection of art, design, and technology. Together, we dive into how AI reshapes creative fields, from personalized design to algorithmic music. Can machines truly cocreate, or are they just mirroring us? And what does this mean ...
In today's digital age, where information is more accessible than ever through online platforms, many people turn to search engines like Google for answers to their medical questions and concerns. The rapidly evolving landscape of women's health—shaped by advancements in medicine, artificial intelligence, and political shifts such as the overturning of Roe v. Wade—has given rise to a flood of misinformation, disinformation, and conflicting advice. In this month’s episode, we are joined by a repr...
The upcoming U.S. presidential race arrives at a time when many Americans are grappling with questions about poll accuracy and data reliability. This month, HDSR is joined by journalists Colby Hall and Leland Vittert for an in-depth look at how the media uses data to report and analyze elections and what past elections can teach us about 2024. We’ll discuss which data points are essential, how technology is reshaping polling and political reporting, what the biggest challenges are that the media...
As September marks the start of the NFL regular season, this month's episode explores how data science and AI are used in professional football to make the sport more entertaining, competitive, and safe. How has the way data is used to enhance the game advanced? What is the most underutilized piece of data that could offer teams a significant advantage? How do teams balance human instinct with AI-driven analysis when making decisions in games? For aspiring sports analysts, what technical or soft...
In July 2024, we witnessed one of the most significant internet disruptions in history when CrowdStrike released a faulty update to its security servers. This update impacted approximately 8.5 million systems, triggering outages across various sectors, including airlines, banks, stock markets, and even government emergency services. Even once activity was restored, threat actors sought to take advantage of the situation through phishing schemes and other cyberattacks. Though caused by an interna...
To celebrate HDSR’s 5th anniversary last month we hosted Vine to Mind , a symposium centered around wine and data science that featured leading experts from around the globe representing research and industry. The talks were so engaging that we decided to share some of the celebration with you at home. Today, we are joined by two of the esteemed symposium speakers, Laura Catena and Ahmed Tawakol, who help us explore the health benefits and potential drawbacks of wine. We also discuss how alcohol...
After the 2020 United States presidential election, there were widespread claims that the election was unfair, insecure, and in some instances, outright stolen. This outcry put election officials under intense scrutiny, particularly those in Secretary of State offices across the country. As we approach another presidential election season, it's crucial to address the most significant election safety concerns for the 2024 presidential, Senate, and House races. This month we delve into these issue...
This month we take some time to talk in depth about what exactly generative AI is, what it can do, and what it can’t do. In this special episode, derived from a webinar titled "Future Shock: Grappling With the Generative AI Revolution," host Xiao-Li Meng collaborates with Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences to tackle the topic of generative AI with the help of esteemed panelists and the three co-editors of HDSR’s Future Shock special issue , Francine Berman, Ralf Herbrich, and David L...
Teaching the next generation of scholars has never been an easy task, but the recent boom of generative AI has introduced a new set of problems and opportunities for educators at all levels. This month we sit down with two experts and discuss the challenges and possibilities generative AI platforms pose for the education system. Are students becoming too reliant on technology? Will this reliance impact their critical thinking skills? How will generative AI platforms shape our students in the fut...
As the U.S. approaches another presidential election, many of us are contemplating our beliefs, staying informed about election news, and at times, questioning the integrity of the voting polls. This month we delve into the upcoming House, Senate, and presidential elections with the help of two political polling experts. Where can we find reliable polls amidst an ocean of information? Has the rise of AI and other technologies affected the 2024 election? How are election outcomes determined? Whic...
The financial industry has a rich history of leveraging data for predictive purposes. From hedge funds employing regression analysis to fine-tune portfolios to individuals utilizing summary statistics in pursuit of the next groundbreaking startup, data has been a cornerstone of investment strategies for years. On today’s episode we sit down with two experts to explore how the recent surge in artificial intelligence has changed the investment game. Our guests: Christina Qi, CEO of Databento, Inc....
After the positive reception to our first listener question episode featuring co-host Xiao-Li Meng last August, we decided to start the new year with an exclusive interview with one of our most esteemed guests yet: HDSR’s own Liberty Vittert! For this special episode, Xiao-Li is joined by guest co-host, Arianwyn Frank, a producer of this podcast, a data science undergrad at Washington University, and a former student of Liberty’s. Listen now to their fascinating conversation with Liberty as they...
The HDSR podcast team wishes you happy holidays and a wonderful new year! We're grateful for the continued support and enthusiasm from you, our listeners and readers. We invite you to listen to our special holiday message from co-host Liberty Vittert and stay tuned for an exciting lineup of episodes in 2024!
The podcast delves into the promises and perils of AI in policing, featuring a law professor and a police chief. They discuss the evolution of technologies from Comstat to advanced video analytics, highlighting how current predictive systems often fail and perpetuate biases, particularly against marginalized communities. The conversation also addresses the significant gaps in legislation and training for law enforcement, advocating for a more human-centric approach to crime prevention rather than relying solely on technological solutions.
According to the UN Refugee Agency, a staggering 108.4 million people were displaced from their homes by the end of 2022 due to reasons such as persecution, conflict, violence, or human rights violations. On today’s episode, we discuss the pressing issue of the global refugee crisis and how data is playing a crucial role in addressing it. To help shed light on this topic, we talk to Dr. Seema Iyer, Senior Director of The Hive, USA for UNHCR’s innovation lab responsible for bringing data science,...
In recent years, our fascination with the cosmos has reached new heights. From ground-breaking research missions to the emergence of interstellar consumerism, our universe has transformed into a thriving hub of exploration and innovation. How are we currently engaging with space and where might we be headed in terms of future interactions? What are the economic dynamics surrounding space exploration, and how might the emerging space economy affect future research? Is AI helping to unlock the sec...
We’ve been inundated with questions from our listeners on what defines a data scientist, how to break into analytics, and ways for the average person to assess data reliability. That is why for this month, we interview our very own Xiao-Li Meng, who has contemplated many such questions during his distinguished career. In this episode we delve into Xiao-Li’s personal journey—notably being named the best statistician under the age of 40 by the Committee of Presidents of Statistical Societies—to be...
In 2022, the sports analytics sector was valued at 2.98 billion USD and is expected to grow to 22.13 billion USD by 2030, at a CARG of 28.7% ( source ). In today's episode, we do a deep dive into this rapidly growing field from both industry and academic perspectives. What metrics do companies and researchers use to predict the next big winner? How are statistical tools and modeling applied differently to measure an individual player’s performance versus that of a team? How does an aspiring data...
How can the data collected by AI sex toys be used to help understand a wide variety of medical conditions and prescription side effects? Are companies storing and selling your most intimate data? When in your life is tracking your sexual satisfaction most important? In March we covered the Kinsey report for its 75th anniversary and discussed ways we conduct sex research in the present day. In response to the positive feedback on that episode, we decided to bring on specialists from the field to ...
Why are we seeing an unprecedented rise in prescription drug use in the U.S.? Is Ozempic really the magic cure for weight loss? How has the landscape of prescription medicine changed over time, and why are currently facing supply issues? On today’s episode, we explore hotly debated drugs and what the data says about prescribing them. Our Guests: Dr. Heather Levites, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon with a special interest in advanced cosmetic surgery. She earned her undergraduate degree at MIT...
This month, we are diving into the important and currently hot topic of artificial intelligence. Do we think rising platforms like ChatGPT are going to be running the world anytime soon? Does technology not only have the ability to be intelligent, but also rational? In this episode we get the pleasure of discussing these issues with Steven Pinker, an experimental cognitive psychologist and a popular writer on language, mind, and human nature. Listen to the conversation and find out what happens ...
On today’s episode we commemorate the publication of the Kinsey Reports, two scholarly books by Alfred Kinsey on human sexual behavior, Sexual Behavior in the Human Male (1948) and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female (1953). These reports were among the earliest research studies to look at sexual behavior, but they also raise important questions for the data science community concerning ethics and bias. We explore those questions and more with the help of two experts. Our Guests: Dr. Justin Garc...
What can data tell us when it comes to how our money is invested? Are there data science tools that can help us manage the ups and downs of the financial markets? How has machine learning impacted forecasting? Can we rely on AI for investment advice? On today’s episode we explore these questions and more during a deep dive discussion on financial markets with our expert guest, Professor Andrew Lo. Our Guest: Andrew W. Lo is the Charles and Susan Harris Professor of Finance at the MIT Sloan Schoo...
It's the post-holiday season and the time when people are focused on self-improvement and getting in shape for the new year. But how do we keep and meet our fitness goals? How many days a week should we exercise? Do diet and food tracking apps actually work? In this episode we explore the data on fitness and health and discover successful strategies for keeping those New Year’s goals. Our guests: Dr. Michele Patel, clinical psychologist and instructor at Stanford University School of Medicine wh...
