
High Signal: Data Science | Career | AI
Welcome to High Signal, the podcast for data science, AI, and machine learning professionals.
High Signal brings you the best from the best in data science, machine learning, and AI. Hosted by Hugo Bowne-Anderson and produced by Delphina, each episode features deep conversations with leading experts, such as Michael Jordan (UC Berkeley), Andrew Gelman (Columbia) and Chiara Farranato (HBS).
Join us for practical insights from the best to help you advance your career and make an impact in these rapidly evolving fields.
More on our website: https://high-signal.delphina.ai/
Latest episodes

Jul 3, 2025 • 54min
Episode 19: Defaults, Decisions, and Dynamic Systems: Behavioral Science Meets AI
Lis Costa, Chief of Innovation and Partnerships at the Behavioural Insights Team, joins High Signal to explore how behavioral science is reshaping public policy, digital platforms, and machine learning.
She explains how defaults influence behavior at scale, why personalization and chatbots are unlocking new kinds of interventions, and what happens when AI systems meet real-world complexity. We also discuss the limits of nudging, the promise of boosting, and why building for human decision-making requires more than just good models.
LINKS
The Behavioral Insights Team
Lis Costa on LinkedIn
High Signal podcast
Delphina's Newsletter

14 snips
Jun 19, 2025 • 59min
Episode 18: High-Stakes AI Systems and the Cost of Getting It Wrong
Sudarshan Seshadri, VP of AI, Data Science, and Foundations Engineering at Alto Pharmacy, dives into the complexities of high-stakes AI in healthcare. He discusses the balance of speed, safety, and uncertainty that influences AI design and its support for pharmacists. The conversation highlights the evolution of data in decision-making, the rise of full-stack pharmacy practitioners using AI, and the essential role of data leaders as architects of irreversible decisions in ensuring patient care and operational efficiency.

May 29, 2025 • 54min
Episode 17: The Incentive Problem in Shipping AI Products — and How to Change It
Roberto Medri, VP of Data Science at Instagram, discusses the pitfalls of misaligned incentives in product development. He candidly reveals why most experiments fail and how ego can hinder learning. Medri shares insights on transforming Instagram Reels from a struggling feature to a global hit, emphasizing the balance between data-driven strategies and bold leadership. He highlights the importance of experimentation and rapid learning, and explains how embracing humility can drive meaningful impact in tech.

May 13, 2025 • 47min
Episode 16: How Human-Centered AI Actually Gets Built
Fei-Fei Li, co-director of Stanford’s Human-Centered AI Institute, dives into the evolution of artificial intelligence, reflecting on her personal journey and the pivotal role of curiosity in shaping innovation. She champions the need for human-centered design in AI, discussing its transformative potential in healthcare, education, and sustainability. Li also explores the concept of spatial intelligence and urges a collaborative approach to build a sustainable AI ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of dignity and community empowerment in technology.

35 snips
Apr 24, 2025 • 54min
Episode 15: Why Good Metrics Still Lead to Bad Decisions — and How to Fix It
Eoin Mahony, data science partner at Lightspeed and former Uber science lead, shares his insights on effective metrics. He argues that metrics can mislead if their underlying mechanisms aren’t understood, a lesson he learned while optimizing NYC's Citi Bikes. Eoin discusses the pitfalls of relying too heavily on simplistic data and emphasizes the need for rigorous analysis in data-driven decision-making. He also dives into how generative AI can improve workflows while navigating the hype surrounding tech adoption, blending practical advice with real-world examples.

30 snips
Apr 10, 2025 • 52min
Episode 14: Why Most Companies Aren’t Actually AI Ready (and What to Do About It)
Barr Moses, co-founder and CEO of Monte Carlo, shares insights on the AI readiness crisis many companies face. She reveals high-stakes data disasters, including a shocking $100M schema change. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of data quality and observability, as organizations struggle to align their ambitions with reality. Barr also highlights the transformative role of LLM agents in improving data debugging. Overall, it's a sharp critique of the disconnect between current data practices and the demands of AI.

42 snips
Mar 27, 2025 • 1h 23min
Episode 13: The End of Programming As We Know It
Tim O’Reilly, founder of O'Reilly Media and a tech thought leader, discusses the dawn of a new era in programming. He argues that AI is enhancing, not eliminating, programming roles, making the field more accessible. The conversation dives into the history of computing revolutions, the impact of venture capital on ride-hailing innovations, and the critical role of community in a decentralized tech future. O’Reilly emphasizes education's shift toward AI skills and advocates for collaboration and ethical practices as we navigate this transformative landscape.

6 snips
Mar 13, 2025 • 55min
Episode 12: Your Machine Learning Solves The Wrong Problem
Stefan Wager, a Stanford professor and expert in causal machine learning, dives into the misalignments between prediction and decision-making. He argues that traditional machine learning often neglects the crucial 'what-if' questions businesses face. Stefan shares insights on causal relationships and emphasizes the need for robust experimentation to make informed decisions. He explores the role of causal ML in enhancing customer engagement and optimizing revenue, while also discussing common pitfalls in experimental design, making a compelling case for collaborative learning in the data science field.

4 snips
Feb 27, 2025 • 1h 6min
Episode 11: What Comes After Code? The Role of Engineers in an AI-Driven Future
Peter Wang, Chief AI Officer at Anaconda and a pivotal force in the open-source data science community, dives into the transformative role of AI in software development. He questions whether engineers will transition from coding to orchestrating intelligence as AI becomes more prevalent. Peter discusses the challenges within the open-source realm and emphasizes the importance of collaboration and adaptability in navigating AI's evolution. He also highlights the need for effective communication between tech builders and business leaders to drive innovation in this new landscape.

23 snips
Feb 12, 2025 • 60min
Episode 10: AI Won't Save You But Data Intelligence Will
Ari Kaplan, Global Head of Evangelism at Databricks and a pioneer in sports analytics, dives into the crucial balance between harnessing data intelligence and the hype surrounding AI. He shares insights from his experiences with Major League Baseball and McLaren’s Formula 1, highlighting how effective data usage transformed sports strategies. Kaplan emphasizes the need to leverage quality data for better decision-making instead of relying solely on AI, and discusses the evolving landscape of data science skills necessary for future leaders.