#156 Making Better Decisions using Data & AI with Cassie Kozyrkov, Google's First Chief Decision Scientist

In this episode of DataFramed, Richie interviews Cassie Kozyrkov, CEO of Data Scientific and former Chief Decision Scientist at Google, about the evolving role of data scientists and the impact of generative AI. Cassie discusses the unrealistic expectations associated with data science, the importance of data quality, and the need for data scientists to understand the business context of their work. She also touches on how generative AI is changing the field, emphasizing the need for testing and validation of AI-generated outputs. Cassie argues for a shift towards decision intelligence, where data science is viewed as a tool for better decision-making, and highlights the importance of "soft skills" or skills that are hard to automate, such as communication and critical thinking. The conversation also explores the democratization of data science and the need for data professionals to specialize and collaborate effectively.

Outlines

Part 1: Reality, Expectations, and Career Success

Part 2: Generative AI and the Design Revolution

Part 3: Data Quality, Stewardship, and Documentation

Part 4: Specialization and the Evolving Data Role

Part 5: Decision Intelligence and Future Outlook

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DataFramed

Part 1: Reality, Expectations, and Career Success

The Mismatch Between Data Science Expectations and Reality

Setting Data Scientists Up for Success: Key Interview Questions

The Ideal Data Science Job: Team Dynamics and Impact

Part 2: Generative AI and the Design Revolution

Generative AI's Impact: A Design Revolution Requiring Rigorous Testing

Transparency and Trust in Generative AI: The Kitchen Analogy

Part 3: Data Quality, Stewardship, and Documentation

The Undervalued Role of Data Quality and the "Data Janitor" Problem

Data Stewardship, Documentation, and the Challenge of Transparency

Reconciling Different Perspectives on Data Documentation

Data Accessibility, Usability, and the Future of the Internet

Part 4: Specialization and the Evolving Data Role

The Democratization of Data Science: "And" vs. "Or" Data Scientists

The Fragmenting Role of the Data Professional and the Importance of Specialization

The Evolving Importance of "Soft Skills" and the Shift from "Thunking" to "Thinking"

Part 5: Decision Intelligence and Future Outlook

Decision Science vs. Data Science: A Branding Problem and a Ruthless Pursuit of Better Decisions

The Role of the Decision Scientist as Advisor and the Importance of Upstream Knowledge

The Exciting Future of Accountability and Decision-Making with Purpose

#156 Making Better Decisions using Data & AI with Cassie Kozyrkov, Google's First Chief Decision Scientist

DataFramed

Part 1: Reality, Expectations, and Career Success

00:37The Mismatch Between Data Science Expectations and Reality

The Mismatch Between Data Science Expectations and Reality

03:54Setting Data Scientists Up for Success: Key Interview Questions

Setting Data Scientists Up for Success: Key Interview Questions

11:32The Ideal Data Science Job: Team Dynamics and Impact

The Ideal Data Science Job: Team Dynamics and Impact

Part 2: Generative AI and the Design Revolution

15:35Generative AI's Impact: A Design Revolution Requiring Rigorous Testing

Generative AI's Impact: A Design Revolution Requiring Rigorous Testing

20:39Transparency and Trust in Generative AI: The Kitchen Analogy

Transparency and Trust in Generative AI: The Kitchen Analogy

Part 3: Data Quality, Stewardship, and Documentation

25:28The Undervalued Role of Data Quality and the "Data Janitor" Problem

The Undervalued Role of Data Quality and the "Data Janitor" Problem

31:14Data Stewardship, Documentation, and the Challenge of Transparency

Data Stewardship, Documentation, and the Challenge of Transparency

34:27Reconciling Different Perspectives on Data Documentation

Reconciling Different Perspectives on Data Documentation

39:00Data Accessibility, Usability, and the Future of the Internet

Data Accessibility, Usability, and the Future of the Internet

Part 4: Specialization and the Evolving Data Role

42:22The Democratization of Data Science: "And" vs. "Or" Data Scientists

The Democratization of Data Science: "And" vs. "Or" Data Scientists

47:11The Fragmenting Role of the Data Professional and the Importance of Specialization

The Fragmenting Role of the Data Professional and the Importance of Specialization

52:31The Evolving Importance of "Soft Skills" and the Shift from "Thunking" to "Thinking"

The Evolving Importance of "Soft Skills" and the Shift from "Thunking" to "Thinking"

Part 5: Decision Intelligence and Future Outlook

57:56Decision Science vs. Data Science: A Branding Problem and a Ruthless Pursuit of Better Decisions

Decision Science vs. Data Science: A Branding Problem and a Ruthless Pursuit of Better Decisions

1:00:45The Role of the Decision Scientist as Advisor and the Importance of Upstream Knowledge

The Role of the Decision Scientist as Advisor and the Importance of Upstream Knowledge

1:06:50The Exciting Future of Accountability and Decision-Making with Purpose

The Exciting Future of Accountability and Decision-Making with Purpose