Data Today

Neural networks are the backbone of many AI and machine learning systems. But how can they be applied to real-world scenarios? Today’s guest is Damian Borth, Professor of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning at the University of St. Gallen. He is also the director of the Computer Science Institute at St. Gallen. His work on neural networks has taken him to several subject areas including climate change, financial fraud detection, and text-to-speech. He is also the recipient of a Google Research Scholar Award. We discuss what neural networks are, what they do, and how their application could help us save the world. 00:00 - Intro 02:02 - Damian’s background 03:01 - What is a neural network? 09:21 - Neural networks and climate change 12:44 - Neural networks and text-to-speech 14:56 - Bias in AI training data 12:44 - Academia and the real world 27:12 - Dan's final thoughts LINKS: Damian Borth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianborth/?originalSubdomain=ch Dan Klein: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dplklein Zühlke: https://www.zuehlke.com/en Welcome to Data Today, a podcast from Zühlke. We're living in a world of opportunities. But to fully realise them, we have to reshape the way we innovate. We need to stop siloing data, ring-fencing knowledge and looking at traditional value chains. And that's what this podcast is about. Every two weeks, we’re taking a look at data outside the box to see how amazing individuals from disparate fields and industries are transforming the way they work with data, the challenges they are overcoming, and what we can all learn from them. Zühlke is a global innovation service provider. We envisage ideas and create new business models for our clients by developing services and products based on new technologies – from the initial vision through development to deployment, production and operation.

According to Alzheimer's Disease International, the number of people around the world with the condition will reach 78 million in 2030, and 139 million in 2050. As of 2024, there is no known cure for Alzheimer's, dementia, or similar degenerative brain conditions. So, how are those testing for these diseases using data and technology to help improve health outcomes? Today’s guest is Rhoda Au, Professor of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Neurology, and Epidemiology at Boston University, and Director of Neuropsychology at the Framingham Heart Study. She’s also the Director of Global Cohort Development at the Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative. We discuss Rhoda’s experience of paper-and-pen Alzheimer's testing in the early 90s, her switch to voice capture in 2005, and her thoughts about how medical data should be shared. 00:00 - Intro 02:02 - The pen-and-paper days of Altizmer’s testing 12:34 - The ethics of voice capture 20:20 - Why we need to open up health data to the community 26:07 - Dan's final thoughts LINKS: Rhoda Au: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhoda-au-1687277/ Boston University School of Medicine & Public Health: https://www.bu.edu/sph/ Framingham Heart Study: https://www.framinghamheartstudy.org/ Alzheimer's Disease International: https://www.alzint.org/ Alzheimer's Disease Data Initiative: https://www.alzheimersdata.org/ Dan Klein: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dplklein Zühlke: https://www.zuehlke.com/en Welcome to Data Today, a podcast from Zühlke. We're living in a world of opportunities. But to fully realise them, we have to reshape the way we innovate. We need to stop siloing data, ring-fencing knowledge and looking at traditional value chains. And that's what this podcast is about. Every two weeks, we’re taking a look at data outside the box to see how amazing individuals from disparate fields and industries are transforming the way they work with data, the challenges they are overcoming, and what we can all learn from them. Zühlke is a global innovation service provider. We envisage ideas and create new business models for our clients by developing services and products based on new technologies – from the initial vision through development to deployment, production and operation.

We don’t often think about what's going on beneath the surface of our cities and towns. But how could more understanding of this underground world help deliver better public services and tackle environmental impact? Today’s guest is Holger Kessler, a renowned geoscientist who has racked up an astonishing 25 years at the British Geological Survey. In early 2024, he started a new role at AtkinsRéalis but previously worked at the Government Office for Science as the Science Lead of the Future of the Subsurface Foresight Programme. We discuss the siloed nature of data underground, the benefits of digital twins, and why it's so important to use the utilities we have underground. 00:00 - Intro 12:24 - Why is subsurface data so siloed? 23:05 - Holger’s work in the London subterranean 28:15 - Dan's final thoughts LINKS: Holger Kessler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holgerkessler/ British Geological Survey: https://www.bgs.ac.uk/ Dan Klein: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dplklein Zühlke: https://www.zuehlke.com/en Welcome to Data Today, a podcast from Zühlke. We're living in a world of opportunities. But to fully realise them, we have to reshape the way we innovate. We need to stop siloing data, ring-fencing knowledge and looking at traditional value chains. And that's what this podcast is about. Every two weeks, we’re taking a look at data outside the box to see how amazing individuals from disparate fields and industries are transforming the way they work with data, the challenges they are overcoming, and what we can all learn from them. Zühlke is a global innovation service provider. We envisage ideas and create new business models for our clients by developing services and products based on new technologies – from the initial vision through development to deployment, production, and operation.

Public services and higher education facilities are under enormous pressure to keep track of their funds. But what if they were able to utilise some of that money, and put it back into the hands of the communities they serve? Today’s guest is Peter Forsgren, co-founder and COO of three+one, an organisation that assists clients across the United States in identifying opportunities to increase their revenue. Peter has worked in public sector finance for a long time but also serves on his local school board. We discuss Peter’s first role out of college with the Oneida Indian Nation, break down just how much financial data is required to optimise funds and examine a few case studies that show the power of money saved. 00:00 - Intro 02:30 - Peter’s experience with the Oneida Indian Nation 10:53 - What does scalability look like for three+one? 18:33 - The plan for national domination 27:34 - Dan's final thoughts LINKS: Peter Forsgren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterdforsgren/ three+one: https://threeplusone.us/ Oneida Indian Nation: https://www.oneidaindiannation.com/ Dan Klein: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dplklein Zühlke: https://www.zuehlke.com/en Welcome to Data Today, a podcast from Zühlke. We're living in a world of opportunities. But to fully realise them, we have to reshape the way we innovate. We need to stop siloing data, ring-fencing knowledge, and looking at traditional value chains. And that's what this podcast is about. Every two weeks, we’re taking a look at data outside the box to see how amazing individuals from disparate fields and industries are transforming the way they work with data, the challenges they are overcoming, and what we can all learn from them. Zühlke is a global innovation service provider. We envisage ideas and create new business models for our clients by developing services and products based on new technologies – from the initial vision through development to deployment, production, and operation.

The UK’s public sector uses vast quantities of data to keep its vital services running. But what's the best way to communicate with the public about these services? Today’s guest is Giuseppe Sollazzo, who currently heads up data products and services at the Department of Work and Pensions. He’s spent his entire career at the heart of the public sector. Giuseppe initially aspired to be an academic, but one failed Ph.D. later, he realised he needed to be more agile in his career trajectory. This led him into the NHS, the Department for Transport, and placed him squarely at the nexus of how we communicate data across society. Giuseppe and his team also pen the famous Quantum of Sollazzo newsletter, which has become a staple in the open data community. We discuss communicating data to citizens, the role of AI in the public sector, and the UK’s digital skills gap. 00:00 - Intro 02:46 - Legacy systems, public discourse, and information gathering at DWP 06:37 - The role of AI in the public sector 17:36 - The digital skills gap in the public sector 30:10 - Dan's final thoughts LINKS: Giuseppe Sollazzo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giuseppesollazzo The Quantum of Sollazzo: https://puntofisso.net/newsletter/ Dan Klein: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dplklein Zühlke: https://www.zuehlke.com/en Welcome to Data Today, a podcast from Zühlke. We're living in a world of opportunities. But to fully realise them, we have to reshape the way we innovate. We need to stop siloing data, ring-fencing knowledge and looking at traditional value chains. And that's what this podcast is about. Every two weeks, we’re taking a look at data outside the box to see how amazing individuals from disparate fields and industries are transforming the way they work with data, the challenges they are overcoming, and what we can all learn from them. Zühlke is a global innovation service provider. We envisage ideas and create new business models for our clients by developing services and products based on new technologies – from the initial vision through development to deployment, production, and operation.

It's been just over two years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. How has disinformation played a part in the conflict, and what has been done to help combat it? Today's guest is Olga Tokariuk, a Chatham House Fellow and journalist who specialises in research around disinformation. She has spoken widely about Russia's use of disinformation in the war and what it means for the public's wider trust in the media. We discuss the four ways that technology and AI are being used in Ukraine, how to debunk and tackle disinformation in wartime, and how the public has been galvanised to think critically about the media they're consuming. 00:00 - Intro 01:54 - The four ways technology and AI are used on the battlefield 08:19 - What does disinformation look like in this conflict? 16:44 - The global decline of trust in the media 21:55 - How did the evolution of the DIA app help galvanise the public in Ukraine? 19:18 - Dan's final thoughts LINKS: Olga Tokariuk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-tokariuk/ Chatham House: https://www.chathamhouse.org/ Dan Klein: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dplklein Zühlke: https://www.zuehlke.com/en Welcome to Data Today, a podcast from Zühlke. We're living in a world of opportunities. But to fully realise them, we have to reshape the way we innovate. We need to stop siloing data, ring-fencing knowledge, and looking at traditional value chains. And that's what this podcast is about. Every two weeks, we're taking a look at data outside the box to see how amazing individuals from disparate fields and industries are transforming the way they work with data, the challenges they are overcoming, and what we can all learn from them. Zühlke is a global innovation service provider. We envisage ideas and create new business models for our clients by developing services and products based on new technologies – from the initial vision through development to deployment, production, and operation.

We can use archives to unlock our past. But how can these vast analogue data sets utilise technology and still retain their value? Today’s guest is John Sheridan, Digital Director at The National Archives. In his role, John looks after all things digital. He shapes the strategy and direction of its numerous digital services including the vast and extensive National Archive website. We discuss the power of being able to easily access archival material, the increasing quality of document digitisation, and why archives are critical to the retention of primary sources. 00:00 - Intro 01:48 - What are the Archives up to right now? 07:31 - Why the Archives are important in a wider cultural context 17:35 - How archives save the world 23:00 - What challenges does new technology present? 26:18 - Dan's final thoughts LINKS John Sheridan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlsheridan/?originalSubdomain=uk The National Archives: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Dan Klein: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dplklein Zühlke: https://www.zuehlke.com/en Welcome to Data Today, a podcast from Zühlke. We're living in a world of opportunities. But to fully realise them, we have to reshape the way we innovate. We need to stop siloing data, ring-fencing knowledge and looking at traditional value chains. And that's what this podcast is about. Every two weeks, we’re taking a look at data outside the box to see how amazing individuals from disparate fields and industries are transforming the way they work with data, the challenges they are overcoming, and what we can all learn from them. Zühlke is a global innovation service provider. We envisage ideas and create new business models for our clients by developing services and products based on new technologies – from the initial vision through development to deployment, production and operation.

Nuclear weapons still loom large on the world stage. So why has the number of nuclear tests dropped so dramatically? Today’s guest is Megan Slinkard, Chief of the Software Applications Section in the International Data Centre at the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). Based in Vienna, Megan has worked in nuclear explosion monitoring for more than 10 years and is really at the coal face of the monitoring work that the organisation does. We discuss Megan’s path to nuclear testing, how the CBTO has helped to create a culture where nuclear testing is rare, and how monitoring nuclear tests has helped bolster the CTBT (Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty). 00:00 - Intro 02:41 - Megan’s origin story 13:05 - What does CTBTO do when they detect an unusual event? 23:00 - How monitoring and testing can add robustness to a treaty 30:01 - Dan's final thoughts LINKS: Megan Slinkard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-slinkard-4905b2167/ CTBTO: https://www.ctbto.org/ Dan Klein: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dplklein Zühlke: https://www.zuehlke.com/en Welcome to Data Today, a podcast from Zühlke. We're living in a world of opportunities. But to fully realize them, we have to reshape the way we innovate. We need to stop siloing data, ring-fencing knowledge and looking at traditional value chains. And that's what this podcast is about. Every two weeks, we’re taking a look at data outside the box to see how amazing individuals from disparate fields and industries are transforming the way they work with data, the challenges they are overcoming, and what we can all learn from them. Zühlke is a global innovation service provider. We envisage ideas and create new business models for our clients by developing services and products based on new technologies – from the initial vision through development to deployment, production and operation.

Welcome to a brand new series of Data Today with Dan Klein, a podcast from Zühlke. We're living in a world of opportunities, but to transform opportunity into impact, we have to change the way we innovate. We need to stop siloing data, ring-fencing knowledge, and thinking in traditional value chains. That's what this podcast is about. In Season Two, we're asking the question, how can data help us save the world? We'll be exploring how we can build more equal societies, combat climate change, and improve global health with the right data strategies, practices, and applications. Zühlke is a global innovation service provider. We turn big ideas into working solutions that deliver positive and sustainable value. Find out more at: https://www.zuehlke.com

When moving and transforming data, how do you make sure it retains its accuracy? That's the question that drives today’s guest, Heather Savory. Heather has 30 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. She currently holds Non-Executive Director roles in the UK Parliament and Ministry of Justice and was previously the Director General for Data Capability at the Office of National Statistics (ONS). We discuss connecting siloed data sources, how to communicate the importance of data with the public, and the benefits of sharing data. 00:00 - Intro 01:52 - How did Heather experience data and information handling in Parliament? 07:13 - Heather’s journey from VLSI chips to government 10:59 - There's no digital without the data - what does this mean to Heather? 23:57 - Dan's final thoughts LINKS: Heather Savory: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-savory-63055b/?originalSubdomain=uk Dan Klein: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dplklein Zühlke: https://www.zuehlke.com/en Welcome to Data Today, a podcast from Zühlke. We're living in a world of opportunities. But to fully realise them, we have to reshape the way we innovate. We need to stop siloing data, ring-fencing knowledge, and looking at traditional value chains. And that's what this podcast is about. Every two weeks, we’re taking a look at data outside the box to see how amazing individuals from disparate fields and industries are transforming the way they work with data, the challenges they are overcoming, and what we can all learn from them. Zühlke is a global innovation service provider. We envisage ideas and create new business models for our clients by developing services and products based on new technologies – from the initial vision through development to deployment, production, and operation.

Properly archiving cultural history is essential to the spotlighting of marginalised voices from the past. But how do you go about preserving this data for generations to come? LeRonn P Brooks is Associate Curator for Modern and Contemporary Collections at Getty Research Institute, which recently acquired the entire back catelogue of the legendary Jet and Ebony magazines. The collection at Getty “is regarded as one of the most significant and substantial collections of Black American culture in the 20th century.” We discuss LeRonn’s deep personal connection to his work, communicating data points through storytelling and the human stories behind the data points, and what it means to be a protagonist in the history of art. 00:00 - Intro 01:53 - What does it mean to preserve the stories of the past? 11:07 - LeRonn’s long road to Getty 18:37 - How do we use cultural data points to tell new stories? 22:47 - Dan's final thoughts LINKS: LeRonn Brooks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leronn-p-brooks-ph-d-31a18572/ Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/research/ Dan Klein: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dplklein Zühlke: https://www.zuehlke.com/en Welcome to Data Today, a podcast from Zühlke. We're living in a world of opportunities. But to fully realise them, we have to reshape the way we innovate. We need to stop siloing data, ring-fencing knowledge, and looking at traditional value chains. And that's what this podcast is about. Every two weeks, we’re taking a look at data outside the box to see how amazing individuals from disparate fields and industries are transforming the way they work with data, the challenges they are overcoming, and what we can all learn from them. Zühlke is a global innovation service provider. We envisage ideas and create new business models for our clients by developing services and products based on new technologies – from the initial vision through development to deployment, production, and operation.

Nothing creates more data than international trade. But how do you navigate the complexities that come with transporting goods around the world? Today’s guest is Kevin Daffey, Vice President Governmental Engineering & Marine Automation at Rolls-Royce Business Unit Power Systems. We discuss Kevin’s impressive career, the vast flows of information that are required to keep the marine industry moving, and how shipping can reach net zero. 00:00 - Intro 01:41 - How did Kevin get started in the marine industry? 19:16 - How does the industry use data sets to optimise shipping performance? 20:47 - Kevin breaks down some of the complexities of data use across international borders. 23:55 - Dan's final thoughts LINKS: Kevin Daffey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-daffey-freng-fimarest-a3a91928/ Rolls-Royce: https://www.rolls-royce.com/ Dan Klein: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dplklein Zühlke: https://www.zuehlke.com/en Welcome to Data Today, a podcast from Zühlke. We're living in a world of opportunities. But to fully realise them, we have to reshape the way we innovate. We need to stop siloing data, ring-fencing knowledge, and looking at traditional value chains. And that's what this podcast is about. Every two weeks, we’re taking a look at data outside the box to see how amazing individuals from disparate fields and industries are transforming the way they work with data, the challenges they are overcoming, and what we can all learn from them. Zühlke is a global innovation service provider. We envisage ideas and create new business models for our clients by developing services and products based on new technologies – from the initial vision through development to deployment, production, and operation.

Digital inclusivity is vital in creating a fairer world. But how do you find a way to connect billions of people? Today’s guest is Isabelle Mauro, former Head of Information, Communications & Technology Industries at the World Economic Forum. Isabelle has spent her career in telecommunications building relationships between sectors to help marginalised communities come online and grow. We discuss Isabelle’s formative experience connecting women in Bangladesh through SMS, why it’s so important that we promote digital inclusivity as part of ESG metrics, and how we can incentivise businesses to do more for those in need. 00:00 - Intro 01:52 - Why is Isabelle so passionate about digital inclusion? 09:06 - Promoting digitalisation across sectors and business models 16:10 - Why we need to refocus on the inclusion aspect of ESG 19:18 - Dan's final thoughts LINKS: Isabelle Mauro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-mauro-908546/ GSOA: https://gsoasatellite.com/ Women In Tech: https://women-in-tech.org/ Dan Klein: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dplklein Zühlke: https://www.zuehlke.com/en Welcome to Data Today, a podcast from Zühlke. We're living in a world of opportunities. But to fully realise them, we have to reshape the way we innovate. We need to stop siloing data, ring-fencing knowledge, and looking at traditional value chains. And that's what this podcast is about. Every two weeks, we’re taking a look at data outside the box to see how amazing individuals from disparate fields and industries are transforming the way they work with data, the challenges they are overcoming, and what we can all learn from them. Zühlke is a global innovation service provider. We envisage ideas and create new business models for our clients by developing services and products based on new technologies – from the initial vision through development to deployment, production, and operation.

Are you curious about how data is used in the music industry to help musicians get paid? Look no further than this episode of our podcast. Today’s guest Bryan Calhoun is a veteran in the industry and has made it his mission to advocate for artists and help them receive fair compensation. As the former VP of SoundExchange, Bryan has used data to distribute digital performance royalties for sound recordings and has a long track record of success. Bryan shares his insights on how data can be used to help musicians know their worth and get paid what they deserve. He also discusses the importance of stringent record-keeping and how it can benefit both artists and the industry as a whole. 00:00 - Intro 01:45 - From start to SoundExchange: Bryan’s path to the music industry 12:00 - Bryan’s journey to empowering artists through data 17:08 - Exploring the data challenges and opportunities keeping Bryan awake at night 24:07 - Dan's final thoughts LINKS: Bryan Calhoun: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryancalhoun/ Yat Labs: https://yativerse.y.at/ SoundExchange: https://www.soundexchange.com/ Dan Klein: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dplklein Zühlke: https://www.zuehlke.com/en Welcome to Data Today with Dan Klein, a podcast from Zühlke. We're living in a world of opportunities. But to fully realise them, we have to reshape the way we innovate. We need to stop siloing data, ring-fencing knowledge, and thinking in traditional value chains. That's what this podcast is about. Every two weeks, we take a look at data outside the box. Join us to learn how inspiring individuals from diverse fields and industries are transforming the way they work with data to realise their greatest opportunities. Zühlke is a global innovation service provider. We turn big ideas into working solutions that deliver positive and sustainable value.

Ethical questions around technology and data are nothing new. But should organisations be more transparent with the public? Does the public even want to be educated about data? These are the thought-provoking questions raised by today’s guest Anne Thielen, R&D Manager, Health Technology Solutions at Sonova AG. We learn about Anne's background as a technologist and explore the current challenges facing the medical field when it comes to data. Join us as we explore the fascinating topic of The Internet of Humans and the difficult conversations we need to be having about data ethics. 00:00 - Intro 01:41 - How does Anne think good data ethics should be maintained? 09:54 - From technologist to R&D Manager, Anne’s career journey 15:32 - The tough conversations about data ethics we need to have 20:47 - Dan's final thoughts LINKS: Anne Thielen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-thielen-b0694688/ Sonova Group: https://www.sonova.com/en Dan Klein: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dplklein Zühlke: https://www.zuehlke.com/en Welcome to Data Today with Dan Klein, a podcast from Zühlke. We're living in a world of opportunities. But to fully realise them, we have to reshape the way we innovate. We need to stop siloing data, ring-fencing knowledge, and thinking in traditional value chains. That's what this podcast is about. Every two weeks, we take a look at data outside the box. Join us to learn how inspiring individuals from diverse fields and industries are transforming the way they work with data to realise their greatest opportunities. Zühlke is a global innovation service provider. We turn big ideas into working solutions that deliver positive and sustainable value.

Data is the lifeblood of the public sector. But how do you make sure you're responsibly using data for the public good? That's been a career-long battle for today's guest Tom Smith, whose full job title is: Director, spatial data unit, chief data officer, Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. We discuss Tom's career, his journey, and the art of using data to cut through political pressure and external noise to facilitate real societal improvements which can help millions. 00:00 - Intro 01:20 - Tom's methodology and how data can be used for the public good 16:30 - Tom's career and how he came to be here 19:20 - How Tom stays the course against political pressure and lobbying 27:20 - Dan's final thoughts LINKS: Tom Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomdatasmith/?originalSubdomain=uk The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-levelling-up-housing-and-communities Dan Klein: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dplklein Zühlke: https://www.zuehlke.com/en Welcome to Data Today with Dan Klein, a podcast from Zühlke. We're living in a world of opportunities. But to fully realise them, we have to reshape the way we innovate. We need to stop siloing data, ring-fencing knowledge, and thinking in traditional value chains. That's what this podcast is about. Every two weeks, we take a look at data outside the box. Join us to learn how inspiring individuals from diverse fields and industries are transforming the way they work with data to realise their greatest opportunities. Zühlke is a global innovation service provider. We turn big ideas into working solutions that deliver positive and sustainable value.

Welcome to Data Today with Dan Klein, a podcast from Zühlke. We're living in a world of opportunities. But to fully realise them, we have to reshape the way we innovate. We need to stop siloing data, ring-fencing knowledge, and thinking in traditional value chains. That's what this podcast is about. Every two weeks, we take a look at data outside the box. Join us to learn how inspiring individuals from diverse fields and industries are transforming the way they work with data to realise their greatest opportunities. Zühlke is a global innovation service provider. We turn big ideas into working solutions that deliver positive and sustainable value. Find out more at: https://www.zuehlke.com