Ep. 36 – Human Analysis in the Age of the Algorithm, with Dr. Nicholas Krohley

Modern War Institute

John Amble

Government, News

4.7 • 798 Ratings

🗓️ 11 October 2017

⏱️ 33 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In the era of big data, the minds of human analysts are no match for the processing power of computers fed with terabytes of data and armed with powerful algorithms. But MWI Non-Resident Fellow Dr. Nicholas Krohley argues in this episode that, far from obviating the need for those human analysts, the incorporation of more and more data into military and intelligence analysis makes human judgment more important than ever.

Transcript

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0:00.0	You know, the concern isn't, you know, that data is taking us in the wrong direction, per se.
0:12.0	It's that if we don't develop and maintain that other lens, we're going to be blind to things that quantitative data can't tell us.
0:26.6	I don't see a viable replacement for real human expertise when you want to act, quantitative data.
0:45.1	Hi, and welcome back to the Modern War Institute podcast.
0:49.3	In this episode, we tackle a big question about big data.
0:52.7	What are its limitations and how do we overcome them?
0:57.0	MWI's captain, Jake Moraldiali talks to Dr. Nicholas Crowley. Dr. Crowley is a consultant and founder of frontline advisory,
1:01.0	as well as an MWI non-resident fellow.
1:05.0	He makes a persuasive case that while data has enormous value,
1:09.0	leveraging that value brings into play an ever-increasing
1:12.7	need for human judgment.
1:15.2	Far from replacing rigorous human analysis, technology-driven data collection makes that human
1:20.5	factor more important than ever.
1:23.7	A couple notes before we get started.
1:25.6	First, if you're not already following MWI on Twitter or Facebook,
1:29.3	check us out there. It's the best way of staying up to date on the commentary, analysis,
1:34.1	podcast episodes, research, and more that we're producing every day. And second, as always,
1:39.4	what you hear in this episode are the views of the participants and don't represent those
1:43.2	at West Point, the Army, or any other agency of the U.S. government.
1:47.6	All right, let's get to the conversation. Here's Captain Jake Moraldi and Dr. Nicholas Crowley.
1:56.4	Well, Dr. Crowley, thank you for taking the time to sit down with us today. I appreciate
2:00.0	you making the trip out here.
	...

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