Data Science Conversations

Steel has been shaped by fire and force for centuries. What happens when you add intelligence to that equation? This episode goes inside the AI operation at SHS, a major German steel group, where a 20-person interdisciplinary team is embedding AI across production, research, and administration. Guests Michael Schaefer, Anna Volker, Ulrike Faltings, and Tobias Bettinger cover how they grew from thr...

Michael Haft, founder of xplain Data, discusses causal discovery and causal AI, explaining how understanding cause-and-effect relationships goes beyond predictive modeling to enable truly intelligent interventions. He explores the technical foundations of object analytics, real-world applications in healthcare and manufacturing, and his vision for integrating causal AI into future intelligent syst...

In this episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Akhil Patel, a globally recognized expert in economic cycles, discusses the 18-year boom-bust pattern and warns that we're approaching the peak of the current cycle in 2026, with a major financial crisis likely in 2027. He analyzes the AI investment bubble, draws parallels to historical manias, and provides practical strategies for businesses...

Peter Bärnreuther from Munich RE discusses the emerging field of AI insurance, explaining how companies can manage the inherent risks of probabilistic AI systems through specialized insurance products. The conversation covers real-world AI failures, different types of AI risks, and how insurance can help both corporations and AI vendors scale their operations safely. Key Topics Discussed Peter's C...

Chris Parmer (Chief Product Officer & Co-Founder, Plotly) and Domenic Ravita (VP of Marketing, Plotly) discuss the evolution of AI-powered data analytics and how natural language interfaces are democratizing advanced analytics. Key Topics Discussed AI's Market Category Convergence Domenic describes how AI is collapsing traditional boundaries between business intelligence tools (Power BI, Table...

In this episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Nikhil Srinidhi from Rewire. Nikhil helps large organizations tackle complex business challenges by building high-performing teams focused on data, AI, and technology. With practical experience in data and software engineering, he drives impactful and lasting change. Before joining Rewire in 2024, Nikhil spent over six years at McKinsey and Qu...

In this episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Walid Mehanna , Chief Data and AI Officer at Merck Group. Walid shares deep insights into how large, complex organizations can scale data and AI and create lasting impact through thoughtful leadership. As Chief Data & AI Officer of Merck Group, Walid led the Merck Data & AI Organization, delivering strategy, value, architecture, govern...

In our latest episode of the Data Science Conversations Podcast, we spoke with Christoph Sporleder, Managing Partner at Rewire, about the evolving role of consulting in the data and AI space. This conversation is a must listen for anyone dealing with the challenges of integrating AI into business processes or considering an AI project with an external consulting firm. Christoph draws from decades...

KP Reddy, founder and managing partner of Shadow Ventures, explains how AI is set to redefine the startup landscape and the venture capital model. KP shares his unique perspective on the rapidly evolving role of AI in entrepreneurship, offering insights into: GENAI adoption in large companies is still limited  How AI is empowering leaner, more efficient startups The potential for AI to disrup...

Early Interest in Generative AI Martin's initial exposure to Generative AI in 2016 through a conference talk in Milano, Italy, and his early work with Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). Development of GANs and Early Language Models since 2016 The evolution of Generative AI from visual content generation to text generation with models like Google's Bard and the increasing popularity of GANs in...

In this episode, we sit down with Steve Orrin, Federal Chief Technology Officer at Intel Corporation. Steve shares his extensive experience and insights on the transformative power of AI and its parallels with past technological revolutions. He discusses Intel’s pioneering role in enabling these shifts through innovations in microprocessors, wireless connectivity, and more. Steve highlights the pe...

In this episode we talk to Kirk Marple about the power of Knowledge Graphs when combined with GenAI models.  Kirk explained the growing relevance of knowledge graphs in the AI era, the practical applications, their integration with LLMs, and the future potential of Graph RAG. Kirk Marple a veteran of Microsoft and General Motors, Kirk has spent the last 30 years in software development and da...

At LanguageTool, Bartmoss St Clair (Head of AI) is pioneering the use of Large Language Models (LLMs) for grammatical error correction (GEC), moving away from the tool's initial non-AI approach to create a system capable of catching and correcting errors across multiple languages. LanguageTool supports over 30 languages, has several million users, and over 4 million installations of its browser ad...

In this enlightening episode, Dr. Julia Stoyanovich delves into the world of responsible AI, exploring the ethical, societal, and technological implications of AI systems. She underscores the importance of global regulations, human-centric decision-making, and the proactive management of biases and risks associated with AI deployment. Through her expert lens, Dr. Stoyanovich advocates for a future...

Luis Moreira-Matias is Senior Director of Artificial Intelligence at sennder, Europe’s leading digital freight forwarder. At sennder, Luis founded sennAI: sennder’s organization that oversees the creation (from R&D to real-world productization) of proprietary AI technology for the road logistics industry. During his 15 years of career, Luis led 50+ FTEs across 4+ organisations to develop award...

In this episode Tarush Aggarwal, formerly of Salesforce and WeWork is back on the podcast to discuss the evolution of the Semantic layer and how that can help practitioners get results from LLMs.  We also discuss how smaller ELMs (expert language models) might be the future when it comes to consistent reliable outputs from Generative AI and also the impact of all of this on traditional BI too...

In this episode Patrick McQuillan shares his innovative Biological Model - a concept you can use to enhance data outcome in large enterprises.  The concept takes the idea that the best way to design a data strategy is to align it closely with a biological system. He discusses the power of centralized information, importance of data governance, and the necessity for a common performance narrat...

In this episode Heidi Hurst returns to talk to us about how in her current role at Pachama she is using the power of machine learning to fight climate change.  She discusses her work in measuring the capacity of existing forests and reforestation projects using satellite imagery. Episode Summary 1. The importance of carbon credits verification in mitigating climate change 2. How Pachama is us...

Ágnes Horvát is an Assistant Professor in Communication and Computer Science at Northwestern University. Her work focuses on understanding how online networks induce biased information production, sharing and processing across digital platforms.  - The new Post-normal era for science - Having an awareness of the context and values that impact scientific research Where is science communication...

Modern Data Infrastructures and platforms store huge amounts of multidimensional data.  But - data pipelines frequently break and a machine learning algorithm's performance is only as good as the quality and reliability of the data itself. In this episode we are joined by Lior Gavish and Ryan Kearns of Monte Carlo, to talk about how the new concept of Data Observability is advancing Data Reli...

In this episode we are joined by Julia Stoyanovich from NYU, to talk about her work into how AI is being used in the hiring process. Whether you are responsible for hiring on behalf of a business or are a job seeker, you will find this podcast very interesting, but for very different reasons. Episode Summary Algorithmic decision making in the hiring process - what does that mean for businesses and...

In this episode we are joined by Professor Maurizio Porfiri from NYU, to talk about his latest academic research which is using data science to uncover why sales of guns in the USA increase after a mass shooting event.   His interest and research was borne from a very personal experience 14 years ago when he experienced a mass shooting event at Virginia Tech where he was studying. Resear...

In this episode we are joined by Perry Marshall to talk about his latest scientific paper entitled “Biology Transcends the Limits of Computation”.  We also discuss his $10 million Evolution 2.0 Science Prize, which is the largest prize in the world in science currently. His paper pushes the boundaries in the field of evolutionary biology and his science prize is driving some truly fascinating...

In this episode we are joined by Arnon Houri Yafin, an Israeli entrepreneur who is the founder of a company called Zzapp Malaria, which recently won the AI XPRIZE sponsored by IBM Watson. Their work in using AI to eliminate malaria in Africa is both interesting and inspirational. Episode Summary Moving from malaria control to malaria elimination How Zzapp Malaria started and how investors were att...

In this episode we are joined by the Director of AI and Data Operations at XPRIZE whose career path into the world of AI is fascinating.  Neama Dadkhahnikoo shares his journey from his early days at Boeing back in 2005, through start up ventures, Techspert and Caregivers Direct, and re-training right through to the present day at XPRIZE. He reveals how anyone has the potential to make a real...