Data Talks Live

Dr. Tom

Data Talks Live: Business, AI, and Leadership Unlocked Hosted by Dr. Tom—U.S. Navy submarine veteran, seasoned data analytics professor, machine learning researcher, consultant, entrepreneur, and former radio DJ. Data isn’t just numbers—it’s the engine driving transformation across every sector. In Data Talks, Dr. Tom breaks down artificial intelligence, data analytics, and disruptive leadership through compelling stories, actionable strategies, and insights shaped by a career spanning multiple industries and roles. Dr. Tom’s professional journey is uniquely diverse: Military Service: Service aboard submarines instilled precision, adaptability, and decisive leadership under pressure. Energy & Utilities: Worked in technical and predictive engineering roles, improving reliability and guiding asset management strategies for critical infrastructure. Transportation & Infrastructure: Delivered data-driven process improvements and analytics-based solutions that optimized large-scale, distributed systems. Healthcare & Life Sciences: Led advanced automation and AI efforts to enhance diagnostics and operations—proof that machine learning can directly improve outcomes and efficiency. Consulting: Partnered with organizations to assess their analytics maturity, advise on AI adoption, and design strategies for long-term digital transformation. Entrepreneurship: Co-founded a technology startup offering innovative online learning tools, demonstrating how agility and data-driven insights can disrupt traditional industries. Higher Education: As a professor and researcher, Dr. Tom designs advanced analytics programs, mentors future data professionals, and distills complex concepts into clear frameworks for business and community leaders. Every week on Data Talks, you’ll get: Business Insights That Matter: Strategies for leveraging AI and analytics to unlock competitive advantage across sectors. Leadership Lessons: How to build resilient, innovative teams and guide organizations through uncertainty in a world where information doubles every 18 months. Accessible Explanations: Demystifying everything from descriptive statistics and machine learning fundamentals to advanced AI trends—without the jargon. Cross-Industry Perspectives: Lessons learned from healthcare, transportation, energy, education, consulting, and entrepreneurial ventures—revealing shared challenges and proven solutions. The Human Side of AI: Honest discussions about ethics, bias, privacy, and the cultural and workforce shifts required to adopt transformative technology responsibly. Dr. Tom’s experience in hands-on technical roles—from predictive engineering to automation design—combined with his strategic consulting background means he understands both the nuts and bolts of implementation and the big-picture leadership decisions that make or break transformation efforts. His teaching expertise ensures even complex topics remain approachable, and his broadcast roots keep each episode dynamic and engaging. Whether you’re: A business leader preparing your organization for AI-driven change, A data professional or analyst looking for actionable insights and inspiration, A student or lifelong learner eager to grasp the realities behind AI buzzwords, or An entrepreneur or innovator seeking strategies and stories to spark your next move, …Data Talks equips you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in a data-driven world. Join Dr. Tom each week as he reveals how disruptive leadership, cross-industry insights, and smart data use can turn challenges into opportunities. By blending military discipline, consulting expertise, technical know-how, academic rigor, and entrepreneurial grit, he offers lessons that resonate whether you’re steering a startup, managing a distributed enterprise, or shaping tomorrow’s workforce. Subscribe to Data Talks

  1. 29/10/2025

    AI's Role In Preparing for Natural Disasters

    Keywords disaster response, AI, prediction, natural disasters, technology, community safety Summary This conversation explores the evolution of disaster response, highlighting the transformative role of AI in predicting natural disasters. It discusses how AI can provide critical early warnings that can save communities from devastation. Takeaways For most of human history, we've reacted to natural disasters. The ability to predict these events with any real accuracy felt like a distant dream. Even a few hours of warning can be the difference between a community evacuated and one that's devastated. AI is making its first and maybe most profound impact. It has become a digital oracle, sifting through mountains of data. AI finds the whispers of an approaching disaster that a human might miss. Titles Harnessing AI for Disaster Prediction The Future of Disaster Response Sound bites "We've reacted to natural disasters." "Even a few hours of warning can make a difference." "Sifting through mountains of data to find whispers." Chapters 00:00 AI: A New Ally in Disaster Management 00:27 AI as a Guardian: Preparing for the Worst

    19 min

  2. 27/10/2025

    Powering Data Centers with Gas, EU Data Regulation, Saudi Data Center, Insect Decline

    Keywords Data Talks Live, ProPetro, EU Digital Services Act, Saudi Arabia, AI Data Centers, Insect Population, Data Scraping, Energy Resources, Environmental Monitoring, Technology Trends Summary In this episode of Data Talks Live, Dr. Thomas discusses various topics including ProPetro's innovative approach to powering data centers, the implications of the EU Digital Services Act on data scraping, Saudi Arabia's emergence as a hub for AI data centers, and alarming trends in insect population declines as monitored through advanced data techniques. The conversation highlights the intersection of technology, policy, and environmental concerns. Takeaways ProPetro's power deals could significantly boost its EBITDA. The EU is setting a precedent in digital policy. Data scraping is essential for transparency in online platforms. Saudi Arabia's energy resources position it as a data center leader. Insect population monitoring reveals concerning trends. Light pollution impacts nocturnal insect behavior. The DSA provides unique access to platform data for researchers. AI infrastructure is increasingly being built in the Middle East. Environmental data can inform us about ecosystem health. The honeybee population is vital for agricultural sustainability. Titles Powering the Future: ProPetro's Data Center Innovations Navigating the EU Digital Services Act Sound bites "The EU is leading in terms of policy." "Saudi Arabia has vast energy resources." "This is one interesting way to apply data." Chapters 00:00 The Rise of ProPetro in Data Center Power 05:06 Saudi Arabia: The Future AI Data Center Hub

    8 min

  3. 22/10/2025

    Public Health vs. Modern Medicine: What the Data Shows

    Keywords life expectancy, modern medicine, public health, Alzheimer's research, data systems, health strategy, chronic disease management, prevention, aging research, healthcare innovation Summary In this episode of Data Talks Live, Dr. Tom explores the evolution of life expectancy, highlighting the significant contributions of public health improvements over modern medicine. He discusses the historical context of life expectancy, the impact of sanitation and vaccination, and the modest role of advanced medical interventions. The conversation shifts to a national initiative aimed at unifying Alzheimer's research data, emphasizing the importance of data systems in driving future health advancements. Dr. Tom concludes with insights on the future of healthcare, focusing on prevention, early detection, and the role of data in improving health outcomes. Takeaways The average life expectancy at birth has increased from 40 to 78.4 years. Most gains in life expectancy are due to public health improvements. Modern medicine contributes 15-20% to lifespan extension beyond basic health measures. Sanitation, vaccination, and reducing infant mortality were key to lifespan gains. Future health strategies should focus on prevention and data systems. Alzheimer's disease is a growing concern, affecting millions. Unifying research data can accelerate discoveries in Alzheimer's treatment. The economic burden of Alzheimer's is projected to rise significantly. Data infrastructure is crucial for the next stage of health advancements. The biggest gains in health may come from complex systems rather than simple fixes. Titles The Hidden Truth Behind Life Expectancy Public Health vs. Modern Medicine: The Real Story Sound bites "Life expectancy at birth is about 78.4 years." "Future gains are likely to be smaller." "Accelerating research has a huge payoff." Chapters 00:00 The Evolution of Life Expectancy 06:45 Unifying Alzheimer's Research Data 09:27 The Future of Health and Data Systems https://ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/research-updates/27-2-million-national-effort-launches-to-unify-alzheimers-research-data/

    10 min

  4. 21/10/2025

    AWS Outage Takes Down Internet, Data Center Limits, Mexico & Ireland Regulatory Constraints

    Keywords data centers, digital infrastructure, AWS outage, resource constraints, sustainability, Mexico, Ireland, cloud computing, environmental impact, energy consumption Summary In this episode of Data Talks Live, Dr. Tom explores the pressing issues surrounding the digital infrastructure that supports our online lives. He discusses the backlash against data centers in Mexico and Ireland, highlighting the environmental and resource challenges they face. The conversation then shifts to global trends in data center expansion and the limitations being encountered. Finally, Dr. Tom reflects on the recent AWS outage, emphasizing the fragility of our digital systems and the importance of resilience in infrastructure. Takeaways The digital infrastructure is facing real-world limits. Data centers in Mexico are skipping environmental assessments. Ireland's data center growth is hitting electricity limits. The digital economy has a significant physical footprint. Data centers require substantial water and energy resources. Local communities face trade-offs with data center investments. The AWS outage highlights the fragility of cloud services. Centralization of services poses risks during outages. Resilience strategies are crucial for cloud users. Understanding infrastructure costs is essential for sustainability. Titles The Limits of Digital Infrastructure Backlash Against Data Centers: A Local Perspective Sound bites "The digital economy has physical footprints." "The cloud was boundless, you might be wrong." "This outage was more than a tech glitch." Chapters 00:00 The Digital Infrastructure Dilemma 02:51 Local Backlash: Mexico and Ireland's Data Center Struggles 05:37 Global Trends and Resource Constraints 07:28 The AWS Outage: A Wake-Up Call

    7 min

  5. 17/10/2025

    Spam Calls Rising, Salesforce Data Breach, Tech Startup Data Ownership, SNAP Data Privacy

    Keywords spam calls, AI startups, data breaches, privacy, data control, USDA, SNAP, data security, technology, data ownership Summary In this episode of Data Talks Live, Dr. Tom discusses the alarming rise in spam calls, the shift of AI startups towards controlling their own data, the implications of corporate data breaches, and the ongoing legal battle over government access to personal data from assistance programs. Each topic highlights the critical issues of data control, security, and privacy in today's digital landscape. Takeaways Spam robocalls have reached a six year high. AI startups are shifting to control their own data. Data quality and freshness are crucial for AI success. Third-party integrations can be the weakest link in data security. The USDA's demand for SNAP data raises privacy concerns. States face a dilemma between compliance and privacy. Data collected for benefits should not become a surveillance tool. The balance must tilt towards protecting individual privacy. Corporate breaches highlight the risks of interconnected data systems. Data control is a common theme across various sectors. Titles The Data Dilemma: Control and Security Spam Calls and the AI Data Revolution Sound bites "Spam robocalls have surged to a six year high." "AI startups are taking data into their own hands." "Data is power, but with that power comes immense risk." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Data Challenges 02:27 The Rise of Spam Calls 04:39 AI Startups and Data Control 06:05 Corporate Data Breaches 07:35 Government Data Privacy Concerns https://www.npr.org/2025/10/16/nx-s1-5533045/snap-privacy-usda-lawsuit https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/new-data-shows-spam-robocalls-hit-six-year-high-250051653763 https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/16/why-ai-startups-are-taking-data-into-their-own-hands/ https://www.foxnews.com/tech/major-companies-including-google-dior-hit-massive-salesforce-data-breach

    9 min

  6. 15/10/2025

    Expanding AI Data Causes Model Collapse, Data Blackouts Damage The Global Economy, US Army Database

    Keywords synthetic data, data blackouts, military data integration, AI training, data governance, trust in data, information power, algorithmic warfare, data architecture, data provenance Summary In this episode of Data Talks Live, Dr. Tom explores the critical themes of synthetic data, data blackouts, and military data integration. He discusses the implications of synthetic data on AI training, the risks of data blackouts on global systems, and the evolution of military data architecture in the context of algorithmic warfare. The overarching theme emphasizes the importance of trust in data as a cornerstone of power in today's information-driven world. Takeaways Synthetic data has exploded from a niche tool to mainstream AI training source. AI systems learning from AI-generated data can lead to accuracy collapse. Data provenance labels and watermarking are essential for synthetic data governance. The future of data is ambiguous, blurring the lines between real and synthetic. Data blackouts can have catastrophic effects on global markets and governance. The U.S. data dependency creates a shadow of global data reliance. Military data integration aims to create a real-time data grid for operations. Algorithmic warfare relies on trustworthy data architecture. Trust in data is crucial for the stability of science, markets, and national defense. The new arms race is in mastering real-time, trustworthy information. Sound bites "We risk eroding trust in what's real." "Data has become a global public good." "Trust in data is now the cornerstone of power." Chapters 00:00 The Rise of Synthetic Data 02:49 The Impact of Data Blackouts 04:13 Military Data Integration and Algorithmic Warfare

    6 min

  7. 14/10/2025

    Satellites are Spying on You, Google AI Investment in India, US Social Security and VA COLA

    Keywords satellite data, cybersecurity, Google AI, data centers, inflation, social security, cost of living adjustment, military communications, technology investment, data privacy Summary In this episode of Data Talks Live, Dr. Tom discusses critical issues surrounding satellite data vulnerabilities, significant investments in AI data hubs by Google, and the implications of inflation data on social security adjustments. The conversation highlights the alarming ease with which sensitive data can be accessed via satellites, the rapid growth of the data center industry, and the importance of inflation metrics for determining social security cost of living adjustments amidst a government shutdown. Takeaways Satellites are leaking sensitive data due to lack of encryption. Researchers used $800 equipment to access private communications. Half of geostationary satellite signals are unprotected. Google is investing heavily in AI data infrastructure. The data center industry is experiencing rapid growth. Google Cloud is favored for its user-friendly tools. Microsoft stock appears overvalued compared to earnings. Inflation data is crucial for social security adjustments. Government shutdown will not delay key inflation reports. Veterans benefits are likely to follow social security adjustments. Titles Unveiling Satellite Data Vulnerabilities Google's Bold AI Investment Sound bites "Satellites are leaking the world's secrets." "Google invests $18 billion in AI data hub." "Data center industry has grown rapidly." Chapters 00:00 Satellite Data Vulnerabilities 02:56 Google's AI Data Hub Investment 05:05 Inflation and Social Security Adjustments

    8 min

  8. 10/10/2025

    LLMs can be poisoned, Data Driven Decisions in the Beef Industry, Terraforming Mars

    Keywords AI security, data poisoning, beef production technology, Elon Musk, terraforming Mars, decision making, agricultural technology, AI vulnerabilities, malicious documents, automation Summary In this episode of Data Talks Live, Dr. Tom discusses critical issues surrounding AI security, particularly focusing on a study by Anthropic that reveals how a small number of malicious documents can poison large language models. He also explores the increasing adoption of technology in the beef production industry, highlighting the challenges and benefits of data-driven decision-making. Finally, Dr. Tom reflects on Elon Musk's claims about terraforming Mars, questioning their feasibility and accuracy. Takeaways A small number of malicious documents can poison LLMs. Attackers may only need a fixed amount of training data. AI security vulnerabilities can limit technology adoption. Beef producers are increasingly using technology for decision-making. 66% of beef producers use at least one tech tool. Access to technology is a challenge for competitiveness. Digital herd management tools are gaining traction. Musk's claims about Mars terraforming are oversimplified. The importance of a magnetic field for atmosphere retention is crucial. Expert opinions on Musk's claims are welcomed. Titles The Hidden Dangers of AI Security Revolutionizing Beef Production with Technology Sound bites "You can poison LLMs with just 250 documents." "66% use at least one tech tool on farm." "I want to know why Musk is correct." Chapters https://www.drovers.com/news/beef-production/surge-technology-adoption-and-data-driven-decision-making https://www.anthropic.com/research/small-samples-poison

    9 min
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About

Data Talks Live: Business, AI, and Leadership Unlocked Hosted by Dr. Tom—U.S. Navy submarine veteran, seasoned data analytics professor, machine learning researcher, consultant, entrepreneur, and former radio DJ. Data isn’t just numbers—it’s the engine driving transformation across every sector. In Data Talks, Dr. Tom breaks down artificial intelligence, data analytics, and disruptive leadership through compelling stories, actionable strategies, and insights shaped by a career spanning multiple industries and roles. Dr. Tom’s professional journey is uniquely diverse: Military Service: Service aboard submarines instilled precision, adaptability, and decisive leadership under pressure. Energy & Utilities: Worked in technical and predictive engineering roles, improving reliability and guiding asset management strategies for critical infrastructure. Transportation & Infrastructure: Delivered data-driven process improvements and analytics-based solutions that optimized large-scale, distributed systems. Healthcare & Life Sciences: Led advanced automation and AI efforts to enhance diagnostics and operations—proof that machine learning can directly improve outcomes and efficiency. Consulting: Partnered with organizations to assess their analytics maturity, advise on AI adoption, and design strategies for long-term digital transformation. Entrepreneurship: Co-founded a technology startup offering innovative online learning tools, demonstrating how agility and data-driven insights can disrupt traditional industries. Higher Education: As a professor and researcher, Dr. Tom designs advanced analytics programs, mentors future data professionals, and distills complex concepts into clear frameworks for business and community leaders. Every week on Data Talks, you’ll get: Business Insights That Matter: Strategies for leveraging AI and analytics to unlock competitive advantage across sectors. Leadership Lessons: How to build resilient, innovative teams and guide organizations through uncertainty in a world where information doubles every 18 months. Accessible Explanations: Demystifying everything from descriptive statistics and machine learning fundamentals to advanced AI trends—without the jargon. Cross-Industry Perspectives: Lessons learned from healthcare, transportation, energy, education, consulting, and entrepreneurial ventures—revealing shared challenges and proven solutions. The Human Side of AI: Honest discussions about ethics, bias, privacy, and the cultural and workforce shifts required to adopt transformative technology responsibly. Dr. Tom’s experience in hands-on technical roles—from predictive engineering to automation design—combined with his strategic consulting background means he understands both the nuts and bolts of implementation and the big-picture leadership decisions that make or break transformation efforts. His teaching expertise ensures even complex topics remain approachable, and his broadcast roots keep each episode dynamic and engaging. Whether you’re: A business leader preparing your organization for AI-driven change, A data professional or analyst looking for actionable insights and inspiration, A student or lifelong learner eager to grasp the realities behind AI buzzwords, or An entrepreneur or innovator seeking strategies and stories to spark your next move, …Data Talks equips you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in a data-driven world. Join Dr. Tom each week as he reveals how disruptive leadership, cross-industry insights, and smart data use can turn challenges into opportunities. By blending military discipline, consulting expertise, technical know-how, academic rigor, and entrepreneurial grit, he offers lessons that resonate whether you’re steering a startup, managing a distributed enterprise, or shaping tomorrow’s workforce. Subscribe to Data Talks

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Tom
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Dr. Tom
  • Show Website
    Data Talks Live