Open to Debate

Innovation or Intrusion: The Big Data Debate


Listen Later

Every click, search, and online purchase feeds the data economy, driving AI, global business, and even political campaigns. But with risks growing in the private and public spheres, is Big Data advancing society or undermining its foundations? Supporters argue Big Data powers innovation by fueling breakthroughs in medicine, public health, and everyday efficiency. Yet critics warn that it erodes privacy, concentrates power, and threatens democracy. In the age of algorithms and analytics, is Big Data a necessary innovation or a dangerous intrusion? 

Arguing "Innovation": Kenneth Cukier, Deputy Executive Editor at The Economist  

Arguing "Intrusion": Carissa Véliz, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Philosophy and the Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford 

Xenia Wickett, Geopolitical strategist, moderator at Wickett Advisory, and Trustee of Transparency International UK, is the guest moderator. 

Join the conversation on our Substack—share your perspective on this episode and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated insights from our debaters, moderators, and staff.

Follow us on YouTubeInstagramLinkedInXFacebook, and TikTok to stay connected with our mission and ongoing debates.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Open to DebateBy Open to Debate

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

2,110 ratings


More shows like Open to Debate

View all
Freakonomics Radio by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Freakonomics Radio

32,291 Listeners

Fresh Air by NPR

Fresh Air

38,582 Listeners

Planet Money by NPR

Planet Money

30,851 Listeners

Left, Right & Center by KCRW

Left, Right & Center

5,137 Listeners

The Gray Area with Sean Illing by Vox

The Gray Area with Sean Illing

10,708 Listeners

Intelligence Squared by Intelligence Squared

Intelligence Squared

776 Listeners

Making Sense with Sam Harris by Sam Harris

Making Sense with Sam Harris

26,352 Listeners

Conversations with Tyler by Mercatus Center at George Mason University

Conversations with Tyler

2,459 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

113,258 Listeners

GZERO World with Ian Bremmer by GZERO Media

GZERO World with Ian Bremmer

820 Listeners

Interesting Times with Ross Douthat by New York Times Opinion

Interesting Times with Ross Douthat

7,268 Listeners

Throughline by NPR

Throughline

16,461 Listeners

The Munk Debates Podcast by Munk Foundation / iHeartRadio

The Munk Debates Podcast

218 Listeners

Hard Fork by The New York Times

Hard Fork

5,548 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

16,306 Listeners