Harvard Data Science Review Podcast

Once the stuff of science fiction, deepfake technology has rapidly become one of the most powerful—and consequential—applications of generative AI, blurring the line between reality and illusion and reshaping how we trust what we see and hear online. This month we delve into this phenomenon with Professor Hany Farid, a pioneer in digital forensics, and  Professor Siwei Lyu, whose lab develops state-of-the-art deepfake detection methods.Together, they’ll walk us through the data journey—from the vast raw data sets that fuel synthetic media to the pixel-level signatures that can unmask it. Whether you’re a computer scientist, policymaker, or simply curious about how synthetic content is transforming our information landscape, join us for an in-depth conversation about turning data into both convincing illusions and robust defenses—and learn how we can preserve trust and truth in our rapidly evolving digital world.

Our guests:

• Hany Farid is a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, with a joint appointment in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences and the School of Information. He is also a member of the Berkeley Artificial Research Intelligence Lab, Berkeley Institute for Data Science, Center for Innovation in Vision and Optics, Development Engineering program, Vision Science program, and is a senior faculty advisor for the Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity.
• Siwei Lyu is a SUNY Distinguished Professor and a SUNY Empire Innovation Professor at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, the director of the UB Media Forensic Lab, and founding co-director of the Center for Information Integrity at the University of Buffalo, State University of New York.

This month, we welcome back one of our most popular guests—MIT Professor Andrew Lo—for an insightful exploration into the complexities of tariffs. In this episode, we break down what tariffs are, how they work, and their far-reaching economic and political impacts. Our conversation delves into the challenges of predicting tariff outcomes, the need for better data-driven policies, and offers practical advice for individual investors navigating periods of economic uncertainty. Join us for a fascinating deep dive into the world of economic policy

Our guest:  Andrew W. Lo is the Charles E. and Susan T. Harris Professor of Finance at the MIT Sloan School of Management.

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.

This month, we're delving into the thrilling world of Formula 1 racing—a high-octane blend of speed and data analytics that drives innovation both on and off the track. Joining us is Rob Smedley, renowned F1 race engineer and strategist with extensive experience at Ferrari, Williams, and the Formula One Group. We'll discuss Rob's journey into this fascinating sport, how data shapes race strategies and driver development, and the biggest transformations AI has brought to Formula 1. Whether you're a motorsports fan, data scientist, or simply curious about cutting-edge technology, join us to explore how data fuels Formula 1's future.

Our guest: 

Rob Smedley, CEO and Founder of Smedley Group, an advanced technology business whose mission is to make motorsport faster, fairer, cleaner, and cheaper.

This month we are exploring emerging technologies and how they are transforming the way we approach romantic connections. How are AI tools and algorithms changing the way people meet? Can an app actually help you land more dates? And what does all of this mean for the future of dating and long-term relationships? Join us as we talk to two experts who unpack these big questions and share insights on how AI is impacting our love lives. 

Our guests:

• Kathryn Coduto, Assistant Professor of Media Science in the Department of Mass Communication, Advertising, and Public Relations at Boston University.
• Sean Kim, Head of AI and Machine Learning at AI dating assistant app RIZZ.

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.

Creativity is often believed to be a uniquely human trait, but what happens when artificial intelligence starts to blur the line between human imagination and machine innovation? For this month’s episode, we are joined by four extraordinary guests who are shaping the intersection of art, design, and technology. Together, we dive into how AI reshapes creative fields, from personalized design to algorithmic music. Can machines truly cocreate, or are they just mirroring us? And what does this mean for the future of artistic expression? Join us as we explore these thought-provoking questions on the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast.

Our guests:

• CJ and Zack formed the music hacker duo DADABOTS when attending Berklee College of Music. From playing in metal, punk, and noise bands and studying composition and programming, they realized machine learning was an even more extreme way to make sound and dove completely into eliminating themselves from music. They cofounded Harmonai, the music research team within Stability AI focused on creating open-source generative AI audio tools, and created Stable Audio, which was listed in TIME Magazine's best inventions of 2023
• Nini Hu, designer and art director with over 20 years of experience working with global fashion lifestyle brands and author of AI and Creativity for HDSR. Nini is also the founder of &HER, building customizable bras using AI, eco-friendly fibers, and automated production technology. &HER uses machine learning models to bring body shape and measurements directly to production.
• Portrait XO, independent researcher and award-winning multimodal artist who researches computational creativity, human-machine collaboration, and explores new formats and applications through innovative audio and visual projects.  

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

As September marks the start of the NFL regular season, this month's episode explores how data science and AI are used in professional football to make the sport more entertaining, competitive, and safe. How has the way data is used to enhance the game advanced? What is the most underutilized piece of data that could offer teams a significant advantage? How do teams balance human instinct with AI-driven analysis when making decisions in games? For aspiring sports analysts, what technical or soft skills and experiences are most important to develop? Listen to our fascinating discussion as we delve into the intersection of sports analytics and data science. 

Our guest:

• Michael Lopez, Senior Director of Football Data and Analytics at the National Football League (NFL).