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 Leslie. Stay tuned for all of this and more on the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast.

Our guests:

• Francine Berman, Edward P. Hamilton Distinguished Professor in Computer Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), and Director of Public Interest Technology and the Stuart Rice Research Professor in the College of Information and Computer Sciences at University of Massachusetts Amherst.
• Ralf Herbrich, Managing Director of Hasso Plattner Institute and Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability at the Hasso Plattner Institute and University of Potsdam.
• David Leslie, Director of Ethics and Responsible Innovation Research at The Alan Turing Institute, and Professor of Ethics, Technology and Society at Queen Mary University of London.

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 future? ChatGTP has raised fears of cheating on homework, but can its potential as an educational tool outweigh its risks? Stay tuned for all of this and more on the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast.

Our guests:

• Elizabeth Shulman, Adjunct Lecturer at the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University, and English teacher at Evanston Township High School
• James Zou, Associate Professor of biomedical data science and Member of Stanford AI Lab at Stanford University

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? Which voter demographics might lead to surprising election results? Join us for an insightful discussion on these topics and more on the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast.

Our guests:

• Kai Chen Yeo, pollster and partner at Echelon Insights, a next-generation opinion research, analytics, and intelligence firm.
• Scott Tranter, Head of Data Science at Decision Desk HQ

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

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

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!

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

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)