Harvard Data Science Review Podcast

In this month’s episode of the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast, we explore a timeless yet increasingly urgent question: What does it mean to flourish as a human being in an age of artificial intelligence?

We are joined by experts Noreen Herzfeld and Tyler VanderWeele, who together bring empirical, philosophical, and theological perspectives to a wide-ranging conversation on human well-being, relationships, and the role of technology in each.

The guests examine whether AI can support human flourishing—or whether it may erode the very capacities that make flourishing possible. They discuss the limits of AI in addressing deeper human longings for meaning and transcendence, the risks of replacing human connection with artificial interaction, and the ethical responsibilities of developers in shaping these tools.

This episode invites listeners to reflect on what it truly means to live well in a technological age. Join in and add your voice to the conversation.

The episode also highlights Dr. VanderWeele’s recent Psychology Today article, “Can We Remain Human in the Age of AI” and Dr. Herzfeld’s recent writings.

Our guests:

Noreen Herzfeld is the director of the Benedictine Spirituality and the Environment program at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary.

Tyler VanderWeele is the John L. Loeb and Frances Lehman Loeb Professor of Epidemiology and the director of the Human Flourishing Program and the co-director of the Initiative on Health, Spirituality, and Religion at Harvard University.

This month on the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast, we explore the data behind modern dating. With millions of swipes happening daily, dating apps promise compatibility through algorithms—but do they really optimize for lasting connection?

Host Liberty Vittert-Capito and guest co-host and HDSR column editor Miguel Paredes sit down with Linx Dating Founder and CEO Amy Andersen and Three Day Rule CEO Adam Cohen-Aslatei to examine the tension between human intuition and algorithmic matching. Drawing on decades of experience and tens of thousands of successful matches, they discuss what people say they want versus what they actually need..

From swipe data to AI-powered date coaching, this episode asks a provocative question: Can technology guide us to love, or is chemistry still beyond the reach of code?

Listen in for a data-driven perspective on romance in the digital age.

Our guests:

Amy Andersen is the founder and CEO of Linx Dating, a private offline dating and social network located in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Adam Cohen-Aslatei is the CEO of Three Day Rule, a personalized, high-end matchmaking service.

Agentic AI is moving beyond assistive tools toward systems that can reason, plan, and act within complex workflows. In the latest episode of the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast,  we speak with Dirk Hofmann and Ulla Kruhse-Lehtonen, co-founders and co-CEOs of DAIN Studios, about what this shift means for organizations in practice.

The conversation explores how agentic AI differs from traditional automation, why outcomes matter more than outputs, and how humans and AI agents can work together responsibly. Drawing on their long-standing work in data and AI strategy, Hofmann and Kruhse-Lehtonen offer practical insights into strategy, governance, and the evolving “mindware” required to make agentic AI deliver real value.

The episode also highlights their forthcoming HDSR article, “The Agent-Centric Enterprise: Why 2–10x Productivity Gains Demand Radical Workflow Redesign,” and their joint online course with the Harvard Data Science Initiative, Agentic AI: Contextualized and Applied, which focuses on applying agentic systems responsibly in real organizational settings. 

Our guests:

Dirk Hofman is the co-founder DAIN Studios and CEO of DAIN Studios Germany

Ulla Kruhse-Lehtonen is the co-founder of DAIN Studies and CEO of DAIN Studies Finland

In this month’s episode of the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast, we explore the rapidly evolving concept of digital twins—dynamic, data-driven replicas of complex systems—and their growing influence across engineering, cities, healthcare, and society at large. Blending real-world case studies with big-picture insight, the discussion highlights how real-time data, sophisticated models, and massive computing power converge to let us safely test ideas, anticipate disruptions, and design smarter systems. Just as importantly, the episode tackles the critical questions of ethics, privacy, and public trust, making it an essential listen for anyone interested in where data science is headed—and how it can responsibly shape the world we live in.

Our guests:

Rachel Franklin is the executive director of the Center for Geographic Analysis at Harvard University 

Patrick Johnson is the executive vice president of Corporate Research and Science at Dassault Systèmes

Fine wine meets data science in this month’s episode of the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast. Hosts Liberty Vittert Capito and Xiao-Li Meng explore how data, taste, and technology intertwine with Eric LeVine, founder of CellarTracker, the world’s largest community-driven wine database. What began as a personal project for managing a home cellar has evolved into a global platform with millions of users and billions of data points on wines, prices, and human preferences. 

During the conversation, they unpack the origins of CellarTracker at Microsoft, how big data and machine learning reveal trends in taste and behavior, and the use of AI to predict “Will I like this wine?” They investigate how to find your digital wine twin, data quality and privacy, and how AI could change how we buy, drink, and enjoy wine without losing the human touch.

Grab a glass and join us for a thoughtful conversation about curiosity, community, and enjoying life—responsibly.

Our guest:

Eric LeVine is president and CEO of CellarTracker, the world’s most comprehensive database. Previously he was a group program manager at Microsoft.