High Signal: Data Science | Career | AI

Episode 2: Fooling Yourself Less: The Art of Statistical Thinking in AI

18 snips
Oct 19, 2024
Hugo Bowne-Anderson chats with Andrew Gelman, a Columbia University professor specializing in statistics and political science. They delve into the necessity of high-quality data and the vital role of causal inference in decision-making. Andrew emphasizes the importance of simulations to avoid misleading conclusions, while also discussing the significance of a coder’s mindset in statistical analysis. The conversation wraps up with insights on voting's impact and the challenges of generalizing from sample data in polling, shedding light on the complexities of statistical interpretation.
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ADVICE

Simulate Before You Collect

  • Simulate data before collecting real data, like writing SimCity before playing it.
  • This clarifies assumptions about population, sampling, and potential differences.
ADVICE

Think Like a Coder

  • Treat statistical procedures like code: avoid repetition.
  • Wrap reusable procedures into functions, document them, and understand inputs.
INSIGHT

Statistics is Comparative

  • Statistics is always comparative, focusing on relationships and differences.
  • Recognize this comparative nature, whether comparing groups, time points, or countries.
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