Sandra Matz, a computational social scientist and professor at Columbia Business School, dives into the fascinating intersection of algorithms and human behavior. She discusses the power of data in shaping decisions, revealing both empowering and chilling implications. The conversation highlights privacy issues in the digital age, the ethics of algorithmic influence, and the responsibility of tech firms. Sandra also reflects on her new book, 'Mindmasters,' emphasizing a balanced approach to leveraging technology while protecting individuality and creativity.
01:04:51
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Conflicted Feelings on AI
Technology's potential is incredible, but also incredibly scary.
This fear is greater than any other technology since the 1980s.
insights INSIGHT
Psychological Targeting
Psychological targeting predicts your psychology from data and uses it to influence you.
This is like villagers who know you well and can pull your strings, sometimes helpfully, sometimes not.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Arianna Huffington's Village Analogy
Arianna Huffington once described the internet as a village where we could peek out and see what others were saying.
She encouraged openness, contrasting with today's need for privacy.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
A refreshingly relatable exploration of how algorithms penetrate the most intimate aspects of our psychology, and how we can regain mastery over our lives - from the pioneering expert of psychological targeting
Sandra Matz
Welcome to episode #961 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.
Sandra Matz is one of those rare individuals who sits at the intersection of academic rigor and cultural relevance. As a computational social scientist with a background in psychology and computer science, Sandra studies human behavior by uncovering the hidden relationships between our digital lives and our psychology. Her goal is to make data relatable, and help individuals and businesses make better and more ethical decisions. As the David W. Zalaznick Associate Professor of Business at Columbia Business School, Sandra has dedicated her career to understanding the hidden connections between human behavior and the data trails we leave behind. Over the last 10 years, she has published over 50 academic papers in the world’s leading peer review journals. In her new book, Mindmasters - The Data-Driven Science Of Predicting And Changing Human Behavior, Sandra dives into how big data is not just a tool for understanding us but also for influencing our decisions - sometimes in ways that are empowering, other times in ways that are downright chilling. As someone who has always been fascinated by the promise and perils of technology, this conversation hit close to home. Sandra’s perspective is nuanced: she’s as much a champion of the transformative potential of algorithms in areas like mental health and financial well-being as she is a critic of their misuse for manipulation. Our conversation ranges from her conflicted feelings about the power of psychological targeting to her hope that these tools can help individuals lead happier, more balanced lives. What struck me most was her candor about the fine line between helpful nudges and invasive manipulation. Sandra is not just theorizing about these issues; she’s actively shaping the conversation around them. If you’re grappling with questions about the role of AI and algorithms in our lives - whether as a force for good or something we need to be deeply wary of - this episode will give you plenty to think about. Enjoy the conversation...
This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.
Chapters:
(00:00) - Introduction to Computational Social Science. (03:00) - The Conflict of Technology and Psychology. (06:13) - Understanding Psychological Targeting. (08:58) - The Intimacy Economy vs. The Attention Economy. (11:52) - The Dangers of Data Privacy. (15:09) - The Impact of Google Searches on Personal Life. (17:56) - Mass Surveillance and Data Collection. (20:57) - The Role of Regulation in Data Privacy. (24:07) - The Algorithmic Accountability. (26:49) - Synthetic Data and Its Implications. (30:09) - The Future of AI and Human Creativity. (33:01) - The Role of Algorithms in Society. (36:08) - The Importance of Perspective in AI. (41:59) - The Challenge of Transparency in Algorithms. (44:46) - Grassroots Movements and Algorithm Accountability. (47:46) - The Future of AI and Human Interaction. (51:05) - Conclusion and Reflections on Technology.
Six Pixels of Separation Podcast 