Data Points Podcast
A podcast about government and data.
Telling stories from practitioners and academics about how data affects communities and the lives of residents.
A podcast about government and data. Telling stories from practitioners and academics about how data affects communities and the lives of residents.
— How students, cities, and researchers are using data science and AI to tackle housing, blight, and other real-world government challenges through the Data Science for Social Good program.
—- In this episode, Oliver Wise speaks with Data Science for Social Good Fellows Rayid Ghani, Jaspreet Ranjit, and Alibi Shakputov about how students, researchers, and local governments are using data and AI to solve public challenges. From roof damage in Baltimore to urban blight in Baton Rouge, they share how real-world partnerships and open-source tools can help governments make more proactive decisions while preparing the next generation of civic technology leaders.
Episodes
Episode #114 – Data Science for Social Good: Training the Next Generation of Civic AI Leaders
How students, cities, and researchers are using data science and AI to tackle housing, blight, and other real-world government challenges through the Data Science for Social Good program.
Episode #113 – AI, Data Leadership, and Trust in Government with former San Francisco and California data chief Joy Bonaguro
How the role of city chief data officers is evolving, why generative AI is changing government work, and how data leaders can build capacity, trust, and better services.
Episode #112 – Former NYC data chief Mike Flowers on AI, Trust, and the Future of City Data
Why cities need faster, smarter decision-making and why empathy, judgment, and trust still matter most in the age of AI.
Episode #111 – D.C. CDO Matt Sokol on the AI-Driven Future of City Government
Matt Sokol discusses why better data is the foundation for successful AI, smarter services, and public trust.
Episode #110 – Beyond Dashboards: How Boston’s CDO is Rethinking City Services
Boston’s Chief Research and Data Officer, Shin-pei Tsay, shares how cities can shift from analytics to impact by focusing on user experience, transparency, and practical AI use.
Episode #109 – How AI Is Redefining the Chief Data Officer Role, an interview with GovEx CDO-in-Residence Justin Elszasz
Justin Elszasz, former Chief Data Officer for Baltimore and GovEx advisor and CDO-in-Residence, shares what it takes to lead data strategy, navigate complexity, and guide responsible AI use in cities.
Episode #108 – Meet the CDOs: Melisa Breda on Trust and Responsibility in the Age of AI
Melisa Breda, former Chief Data Officer for Buenos Aires, and GovEx advisor and CDO-in-Residence, shares a candid look at what it takes to make data and AI trusted tools of government.
Episode #107 – Trust Through Results: Data, Evidence, and the Future of Public Service
esults for America CEO Michele Jolin and GovEx’s Oliver Wise discuss how governments can use evidence, data, and cross-sector partnerships to fund solutions that improve lives and rebuild public trust.
Episode #106 – From Vision to Impact: Lessons from GovEx’s First 10 Years
Beth Blauer and Oliver Wise reflect on the roots, risks, and real-world impact of building a data-first culture in government.
Episode #105 – From Potholes to Predictive Power: How One City Is Using AI to Stay Ahead
With support from the City Data Alliance AI Track, Luján de Cuyo embraced AI and shifted from reactive repairs to proactive service delivery.