In this compelling episode of Gateway to Informatics, Dr. Philip Payne, WashU's chief data scientist and director of the Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB), delves into an insightful discussion with Jennifer Pahlka, author of Recoding America: Why Government Is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better. Pahlka, a senior fellow at the Niskanen Center and the Federation of American Scientists, and founder of Code for America, shares her profound perspectives on the digital transformation of government services. Having served as the Deputy Chief Technology Officer of the United States under President Obama and a member of the Defense Innovation Board, Pahlka brings a wealth of experience and accolades to the conversation.

Throughout the episode, they explore the cultural and practical barriers to digital transformation in complex institutions like academia and government. Pahlka emphasizes the importance of aligning technology with user-centric needs and the potential of incremental yet impactful changes to drive significant improvements. She also discusses the role of AI, the importance of policy and implementation integration, and the crucial need for storytelling in policy-making. This engaging discussion sheds light on how digital principles can not only streamline services but also significantly enhance the interaction between citizens and government.

Gateway to Informatics
i2db.washu.edu/gatewaytoinformatics
Produced by the Institute for Informatics, Data Science & Biostatistics (I2DB), WashU Medicine.
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Today, we're joined by Dr. Chenyang Lu, a renowned computer scientist and the founding director of the AI for Health Institute here at WashU. Now, I've had the privilege of knowing Dr. Lu for years, and I can tell you firsthand that he is one of the most innovative thinkers when it comes to bridging the gap between AI and healthcare. In fact, as Dr. Lu describes the motivation behind the institute, I couldn't help but nod along - the idea of creating more of those cross-disciplinary relationships that 'span the park' between engineering and medicine is something I've been passionate about for a long time. Of course, as an AI optimist
myself, I know there are also valid concerns about trustworthiness and safety that we have to grapple with. I love how Dr. Lu has approached that challenge, always striving to make these powerful tools more grounded in science and evidence.

Gateway to Informatics
i2db.washu.edu/gatewaytoinformatics
Produced by the Institute for Informatics, Data Science & Biostatistics (I2DB), WashU Medicine.
Follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and Bluesky.
Have feedback or questions? Contact us!

Welcome to Gateway to Informatics, a podcast hosted by Dr. Philip Payne, Chief Data Scientist at WashU Medicine and Director of the Institute for Informatics, Data Science, and Biostatistics (I2DB). Each episode features conversations with prominent figures in informatics, research, and healthcare. Our podcast delves into the latest developments, challenges, and innovations in the field, with a particular focus on the integration of AI and digital technologies. By leveraging our healthcare system as a living laboratory, we aim to extract meaningful insights that advance research, save lives, and build healthier communities.

The decisions patients make about the care they receive are extremely personal. Dr. Mary Politi, today’s guest, is someone working to ensure they’re able to make the most informed decisions possible. As a Professor of Surgery in the Division of Public Health Sciences at WashU School of Medicine, Dr. Politi studies health communication and decision-making. Her research looks at how we can use data to personalize risk assessments. In our conversation, we talked about how new technologies like artificial intelligence can improve this process, but I appreciate the grounded approach she takes to make sure these technologies don’t replace the human connection but rather can be one tool that helps patients in the process.

Gateway to Informatics
i2db.washu.edu/gatewaytoinformatics
Produced by the Institute for Informatics, Data Science & Biostatistics (I2DB), WashU Medicine.
Follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and Bluesky.
Have feedback or questions? Contact us!