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.
Episodes
Friday Feb 23, 2024
What Does AI Buy Us or Cost Us? Views From the Financial Industry
Friday Feb 23, 2024
Friday Feb 23, 2024
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.
- Victor Lo, Senior Vice President of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at Fidelity Investments
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
In God We Trust: Everyone Else Must Bring Data or Liberty
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
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 discover how a woman of many talents found herself in the exciting world of data science.
Our guest:
- Liberty Vittert, Professor of the Practice of Data Science, Olin Business School, Washington University in St. Louis; resident on-air statistician for NewsNation; and feature editor of Harvard Data Science Review
Friday Dec 22, 2023
Celebrating Holidays and Milestones of HDSR
Friday Dec 22, 2023
Friday Dec 22, 2023
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!
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
Policing the Predictive Policing: The Promises and Perils of AI Technologies
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
In recent years, police departments nationwide have increasingly embraced data and AI tools to enhance their crime prevention, investigation, and conviction efforts. These technologies range from image analysis on body cameras to license plate trackers predicting potential involvement in drug trafficking. However, a crucial question arises: Are these technologies both accurate and fair? Is law enforcement adequately trained to utilize them effectively? Is legislation adapting swiftly enough to keep pace with these transformative changes?
On today’s episode we engage in a conversation with a professor of law and a police chief who together provide us insights into the evolving landscape of policing technologies.
Our guests:
- Andrew Guthrie Ferguson, Professor of Law, American University Washington College of Law
- Virgil Green, Chief of Police for Golden Valley, Minnesota, and co-host of “You And The Law” podcast
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
Close to Refuge: Integrating AI and Human Insights for Intervention and Prevention
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
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, machine learning, and new technologies into the organization’s operations to enhance fundraising for refugees. During the conversation we discuss the pivotal role of data science in addressing the refugee crisis and delve into the types of data gathered to understand the needs of refugees, the challenges in utilizing this data, and the potential role of AI in facilitating new approaches. Listen now to this month's insightful episode.
Our guest:
- Dr. Seema Iyer, Senior Director, The Hive, USA for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Out of Data Space? Explore Outer Space!
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
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 secrets of the universe? On today’s episode we explore these questions and more during an out-of-this-world conversation with two distinguished experts.
Our guests:
- Avi Loeb, Frank B. Baird Jr. Professor of Science, Director of the Institute for Theory and Computation at the Center for Astrophysics, and Founder of the Black Hole Initiative at Harvard University
- Kelli Kedis Ogborn, Vice President of Space Commerce and Entrepreneurship at Space Foundation
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
What is Data Science?
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
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 becoming the founding editor-in-chief of Harvard Data Science Review. Join us as we trace the steps that led to his remarkable accomplishments and illuminate the path you can follow to understand the data that shapes our world in our very first listener question special!
Our guest:
- Dr. Xiao-Li Meng, Founding Editor-in-Chief of Harvard Data Science Review and Whipple V. N. Jones Professor of Statistics at Harvard University. Meng has published over 150 publications. His article, “Seeking Simplicity in Statistics, Complexities in Wine, and Everything Else in Fortune Cookies” was published in Fondata, Issue 3, Winter 2022.
Wednesday Jul 26, 2023
Wednesday Jul 26, 2023
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 scientist break into the sports analytics industry? We explore these questions and more with the help of two experts. Listen now!
Our guests:
- Dr. Mark Glickman, senior lecturer on statistics and head of the Sports Analytics Laboratory at Harvard University
- Michael Schwimer, founder and CEO of Big League Advantage
Thursday Jun 22, 2023
Under the Sheets: Producing, Protecting, and Probing Intimate Data
Thursday Jun 22, 2023
Thursday Jun 22, 2023
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 talk about the future of AI and the data of sex.
Our Guests:
- Liz Klinger, co-founder and CEO of Lioness and inventor of the Lioness AI vibrator.
- Justin Lehmiller, social psychologist at The Kinsey Institute and host of The Sex and Psychology Podcast.
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Wednesday May 31, 2023
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 and her MD from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and completed her plastic surgery training at Duke University. She currently practices in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
- Dr. John Schneider, Associate Professor of Otolaryngology and Division Chief of Rhinology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.