5 TED Talks All Data Scientists Should Watch
These TED talks will leave you inspired and ready to pursue greater challenges in data science
Whenever I feel like learning data science is nothing but an uphill grind with no finish line in sight, I sit down and watch a TED talk.
Whenever I feel like I’ll never be able to apply my data science skills in a meaningful way to solve real-world problems, I sit down and watch a TED talk.
And whenever I feel like learning data science is a useless endeavor, I sit down and watch a TED talk.
For these reasons and many more, you should sit down and watch a TED talk whenever you feel like what you’re doing isn’t working.
TED is a nonprofit organization that began in 1984 to spread ideas through short, insightful talks. A one-off conference about technology, entertainment, and design became a powerhouse that has brought over 4,000 talks in over 100 languages to the internet that are easily digestible and understood by anyone.
Data science and other related topics have become prominent features on the website, with over 400 talks to pick from in the data science category alone. There is a talk for everyone who is pursuing data science in some capacity and is looking for a little inspiration.
This article distills the sea of TED talks down to five that are guaranteed to help future and current data scientists look at data science in a different light.
5 TED Talks All Data Scientists Should Watch
Big Data is Better Data
Topic: Big data and the future of machine learning.
Speaker: Kenneth Cukier, Data Editor of the Economist and co-author of Big Data: A Revolution That Will Transform How We Live, Work, and Think.
Talk Details: Big data allows us to see the world differently and to solve greater problems than we have ever been able to in the past. Machine learning is our way forward to being able to understand and use big data to solve problems, such as computer translation, voice recognition systems, and identifying cancerous biopsies. Big data will transform our lives, but we need to be careful to be the masters of this technology and not its servant.
What Happens When Our Computers Get Smarter Than We Are?
Topic: Artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Speaker: Nick Bostrom, Philosopher.
Talk Details: Artificial intelligence is no longer limited to one domain and is capable of progressing beyond current human intelligence through years of work. The future of artificial intelligence will need to meet the values of humans and involves solving esoteric issues to ensure that it remains a safe tool to use.
What’s So Sexy About Math?
Topic: Mathematics
Speaker: Cédric Villani, Mathematician
Talk Details: Mathematics changes how we view the world, as seen, for example, when Newton discovered through observation and some clever mathematics that the Earth’s poles are slightly flattened compared to the rest of the world. Mathematics also allows us to explore ideas that can not currently be explained and can expose information hidden in data.
Let My Dataset Change Your Mindset
Topic: Mathematics, statistics, data visualization, and global issues.
Speaker: Hans Rosling, global health expert, and data visionary.
Talk Details: A discussion on how data has been used to dispel myths about the developing world.
How I’m Fighting Bias in Algorithms
Topic: Artificial intelligence and fighting bias in machine learning.
Speaker: Joy Buolamwini, MIT graduate student.
Talk Details: Accountability in building algorithms and machine learning is required to fight bias that can lead to exclusionary experiences and discriminatory practices. This can be solved by writing more inclusive code and promoting inclusive coding practices.
How to Get the Most Out of TED Talks
TED talks, like most types of lectures, are great tools for learning.
However, a lack of preparation and focus can mean that what the speaker is presenting can fly right over your head without an ounce of it making a dent in your memory.
To get the most out of the TED talks listed above, follow these key tips:
- First, watch the talk in its entirety. Focus on what the speaker is saying and try to absorb some of the key ideas they leave you with.
- Write down everything you can remember from the talk. On a piece of paper, write down the key pieces of information from the talk that you can remember from memory. This activates the active recall process and helps your brain build stronger connections with the information you just ingested.
- Read the transcript to fill in the gaps. Going through the transcript can help you flesh out your initial understanding of the talk and can help clarify points you may have been fuzzy on.
- Build your understanding of the talk and apply it to what you are currently working on or learning. By distilling the information you ingested into the barest essentials, you can then begin thinking about how you can apply it to what you are currently working on or learning. Perhaps the goal is to just regain inspiration for data science in general. In that case, write down on a piece of paper the ideas from the talks that inspired you the most and display them prominently in your workspace to remind you of why you have embarked on the data science track.
Key Takeaways
At some point in your journey toward learning data science, you will become uninspired by the path you have chosen.
The TED talks selected above look at data science from a variety of angles to help you regain the passion you may have lost.
Learning data science can be a long road with many points where the learning is specialized and the big picture can become lost in the process of mastering all of the smaller concepts of data science. By reminding yourself of the big picture and what data science can accomplish you can give yourself that extra push to keep moving forward in your studies.
