Knowledge at Wharton

Mark Pauly, Professor Emeritus of Health Care Management at the Wharton School, offers insightful commentary on Senator Cassidy’s health savings account proposal. He discusses the complexities of redirecting ACA subsidies and the potential impact on insurers. Pauly also analyzes recent premium spikes linked to post-COVID effects and highlights the political divides influencing health policy. Additionally, he critiques the employer health insurance tax breaks and emphasizes the need for meaningful payment reforms without clear-cut solutions.

Peter Adams, Senior Writer at Marketing Dive, dives into the ever-changing landscape of marketing. He discusses how economic shifts and AI advancements are reshaping strategies, emphasizing the importance of brand loyalty and values. Amidst a bifurcated consumer market, he highlights the need for brands to innovate and adapt, such as PepsiCo's identity overhaul and Walmart's nostalgic Grinch campaign. Adams also explores the role of AI in influencing consumer choices and the challenges brands face in responding quickly to cultural moments.

Discover how advanced analytics are revolutionizing sports predictions, from the MLB’s Gold Glove metrics to NFL power rankings. The debate heats up over defensive evaluations and how outs translate to wins. Unearth the implications of the new 12-team College Football Playoff format on championship probabilities and late-season games. Plus, explore home-field advantages, the influence of market odds, and even the dilemmas of star player management in the NBA. Tune in for insights that reshape our understanding of sports!

Vivian Sun, Senior Director for Data and AI at Jabil, leads the company's initiatives in computer vision and machine learning. In this engaging discussion, she delves into Jabil's strategic use of AI, starting with computer vision for quality control. Vivian highlights the transformation of manufacturing processes through AI-enhanced inspections, reducing tedious tasks, and improving overall accuracy. She shares insights on fostering AI adoption by securing small wins, emphasizing the importance of scaling and managing change effectively in organizations.

Philip Nichols, a Professor of legal studies and business ethics at the Wharton School, dives into the complexities of AI in the fight against corruption. He explains that current AI models are not yet equipped to detect corruption effectively due to data limitations. Nichols discusses regulatory differences between the EU and the U.S. that impact AI use. While AI shows promise in identifying red flags in large datasets, he warns about its potential misuse by criminals and stresses the need for human oversight in any anti-corruption strategy.

Rob DiGisi, Lecturer in Legal Studies and Business Ethics at the Wharton School, joins the show to discuss how recent gambling indictments involving NBA figures reveal the complex intersection of legality, ethics, and integrity in professional sports—and why issues like prop bets, player vulnerability, and federal cooperation continue to shape the future of regulated sports wagering. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sean Bruich, Senior Vice President of AI, Engineering and Data Science at Amgen, joins Barbara Kahn and Dr. Americus Reed, II to discuss how AI’s rapid evolution is transforming industries—not by replacing humans, but by creating new opportunities that blend human expertise with advanced technology to drive innovation and efficiency. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton's Eric Bradlow, Shane Jensen, and Adi Wyner debate Bill Belichick’s legacy in the post-Brady era, explore how analytics have reshaped baseball strategy, and speak with Dan Szymborski—Senior Writer at FanGraphs and creator of the ZiPS projection system—about forecasting player performance and team success in today’s evolving sports landscape. They also analyze the remarkable victory of 204th-ranked tennis player Valentin Vacherot in a Masters 1000 tournament, using insights from sports analytics and probability theory to uncover what his unexpected win reveals about talent, randomness, and ranking systems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton’s Corinne Low talks about her new book, Having It All: What Data Tells Us About Women’s Lives and Getting the Most Out of Yours. This Ripple Effect episode is part of the “Meet the Authors” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cait Lamberton, Wharton School Vice Dean and Professor of Marketing, explains how businesses can balance enthusiasm for new technologies, such as AI, with historical lessons, market fundamentals, and strategic analysis to identify sustainable innovation and avoid costly missteps. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.