Harvard Data Science Review Podcast

This month we explore sleep, which is at the center of some of the most exciting developments in data science and health research. Joining us is Dr. Rebecca Robbins, sleep expert and co-author of Sleep for Success!, whose work explores how we can unlock better sleep and healthier lives. From wearable tech and machine learning to behavioral changes, we explore the evolving landscape of sleep research: what the data says about our changing sleep habits, which modern sleep trends actually work (and which don’t), and how modern science intersects with an ever more tired population. Join us for an eye-opening conversation on the science of sleep.   Our guest:  Dr. Rebecca Robbins, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and an associate scientist at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Rob Smedley, CEO and Founder of Smedley Group and a seasoned F1 race engineer, discusses the intersection of data and speed in Formula 1. He shares his journey through motorsport and how data analytics revolutionizes race strategies and driver development. The conversation dives into key performance metrics like engine power and aerodynamics, while highlighting AI's transformative influence on the sport. Smedley emphasizes the crucial role of data quality and communication within teams, showcasing how innovation fuels Formula 1's future.

Sean Kim, Head of AI and Machine Learning at RIZZ, and Kathryn Coduto, Assistant Professor at Boston University, delve into how AI is revolutionizing dating. They discuss how AI tools can help craft engaging openers, the emotional dynamics of human-AI interactions, and the importance of user data privacy. The conversation also touches on the evolving relationship between users and AI in matchmaking while addressing safety measures and the challenges of modern dating, like burnout and the quest for authentic connections.

Once thought of as a gadget of some futuristic fiction, WHOOP and other wearable devices are  leading the charge in personal health from real-time data. This revolutionizes how we eat, sleep, train, and recover. This month, we delve into that process with WHOOP’s founder and CEO, Will Ahmed, who will guide us through the entire data journey—from the moment it’s captured on your wrist to the insightful metrics you see on your phone. Whether you’re a health enthusiast, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just curious about how technology is reshaping our understanding of the human body, join us for an in-depth conversation on turning data into lasting, positive change, allowing us to live happier and healthier lives. Our guest: Will Ahmed, American entrepreneur best known as the CEO of health wearables company WHOOP, which he founded in 2012.  

CJ, musician and cofounder of Harmonai, and Portrait XO, an award-winning multimodal artist, dive into the fascinating nexus of AI and creativity. They discuss how AI blurs the lines between human imagination and machine innovation. Listeners learn about AI's role in redefining music composition, the ethical challenges faced in creative industries, and the potential for collaborative art between humans and machines. Humorous insights on future trends and dream collaborations in music leave us pondering: Can machines genuinely create?

In today's digital age, where information is more accessible than ever through online platforms, many people turn to search engines like Google for answers to their medical questions and concerns. The rapidly evolving landscape of women's health—shaped by advancements in medicine, artificial intelligence, and political shifts such as the overturning of Roe v. Wade—has given rise to a flood of misinformation, disinformation, and conflicting advice. In this month’s episode, we are joined by a reproductive health specialist who helps us navigate the facts about fertility and pregnancy. Our guest: Dr. Lora Shahine, MD, double board-certified OB-GYN and reproductive endocrinologist at Pacific Northwest Fertility, clinical associate professor at the University of Washington, and host of the fertility podcast Baby Or Bust.

The upcoming U.S. presidential race arrives at a time when many Americans are grappling with questions about poll accuracy and data reliability. This month, HDSR is  joined by journalists Colby Hall and Leland Vittert for an in-depth look at how the media uses data to report and analyze elections and what past elections can teach us about 2024. We’ll discuss which data points are essential, how technology is reshaping polling and political reporting, what the biggest challenges are that the media faces when covering elections today compared to a decade ago, and which voter demographics could sway the 2024 election results in unexpected ways. Join us as we dive into these pressing questions and more on the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast. Our guests: Colby Hall, Peabody Award-winning television producer, founding editor of Mediate.com, and media contributor to NewsNation since March 2023 Leland Vittert, chief Washington anchor at NewsNation and host of On Balance with Leland Vittert

Explore how data science and AI revolutionize the NFL! Discover the most underutilized data that can give teams an edge. Delve into the balance of human instinct and AI analysis in game strategy. Learn about the evolution of data collection techniques, from grassroots to advanced technologies. Understand the impact of player safety initiatives and the complexities of drafting college quarterbacks. Finally, gain insights on essential skills for aspiring sports analysts looking to break into this competitive field.

In July 2024, we witnessed one of the most significant internet disruptions in history when CrowdStrike released a faulty update to its security servers. This update impacted approximately 8.5 million systems, triggering outages across various sectors, including airlines, banks, stock markets, and even government emergency services. Even once activity was restored, threat actors sought to take advantage of the situation through phishing schemes and other cyberattacks.  Though caused by an internal error rather than malicious intent, incidents like CrowdStrike’s outage underscore the growing importance of reliable security measures on technologies that impact daily life. On this month’s podcast, we explore the ins and outs of cybersecurity, how cyberattacks occur, and what steps you can take to protect your data. Our guests: Milena Rodban, independent geopolitical risk consultant and former senior advisor at the National Risk Management Center at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Arun Seelagan, Senior Data Scientist at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

To celebrate HDSR’s 5th anniversary last month we hosted Vine to Mind, a symposium centered around wine and data science that featured leading experts from around the globe representing research and industry. The talks were so engaging that we decided to share some of the celebration with you at home. Today, we are joined by two of the esteemed symposium speakers, Laura Catena and Ahmed Tawakol, who help us explore the health benefits and potential drawbacks of wine. We also discuss how alcohol-related research is conducted and learn about the future of wine research. For all of this and more, stay tuned for this latest episode of the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast! Our guests: Laura Catena, Managing Director of Bodega Catena Zapata, and Founder of Catena Institute of Wine. Ahmed Tawakol, Director of Nuclear Cardiology and Co-Director of the Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.