Learning to Love Data Science

Chapter 2. Data and Social Good

Topline Summary

Can advances in data science be leveraged for social good? Is there a natural intersection between philanthropy and data science? The early hype around data science emphasized its power to make businesses more profitable and efficient. Is that the only plausible narrative?

Most data scientists are not looking to become software zillionaires. Most of them would prefer to use their skills and knowledge to make the world a better place. This report, written in the winter and spring of 2015, focuses on data scientists and statisticians who improve communities and help humanity in a variety of ways, from preventing teen suicides in American suburbs to raising funds for impoverished farmers in Africa.

Hearts of Gold

Several years ago, large management consulting firms began describing data as the “new oil”—a magically renewable and seemingly inexhaustible source of fuel for spectacular economic growth. The business media rapidly picked up on the idea, and reported breathlessly about the potential for data to generate untold riches for those wise enough to harness its awesome power.

At the same time, another story was unfolding. That story wasn’t about a few smart guys getting rich. It was about people using data to improve lives and make the world a better place.

For many of us, it’s an alluring narrative, perhaps because it supports our hope that deep down, data scientists and statisticians are nice people who value social good over ...