Coronavirus models aren’t crystal balls. So what are they good for? Coronavirus models aren’t crystal balls. So what are they good for? Epidemiologists and data scientists have been gathering data, making calculations, and creating mathematical models to answer critical questions about COVID-19, but math cannot account for the unpredictability of human behavior.
Childhood exposure to trauma costs society $458 billion annually Childhood exposure to trauma costs society $458 billion annually Bureaucratic hurdles block access to treatment services, so they tend to go unused. This leads to adverse outcomes that put stress on public systems like social services and law enforcement.
What factors predict success? The findings of this latest work add to the canon of overall knowledge about what factors predict success. They also strengthen Duckworth’s original theories about grit and, at the same time, highlight other attributes key to long-term achievement. What factors predict success? New research from Angela Duckworth and colleagues finds that characteristics beyond intelligence influence long-term achievement.
Removing human bias from predictive modeling Removing human bias from predictive modeling Predictive modeling is supposed to be neutral, a way to help remove personal prejudices from decision-making. But the algorithms are packed with the same biases that are built into the real-world data used to create them.
Can the additive tree expand machine learning in medicine? nocred Can the additive tree expand machine learning in medicine? By combining elements of two widely used prediction models, the “additive tree” is a highly predictive model that is also easy to interpret.
Can artificial intelligence help answer HR’s toughest questions? Can artificial intelligence help answer HR’s toughest questions? Wharton's Peter Cappelli and Prasanna Tambe discuss the challenges companies face when they outsource their Human Resources departments to AI, allowing algorithms to remedy imperfect human decision-making for hiring, firing, scheduling, and promoting.
Crowdsourcing 10,000 years of land use To predict what will happen in the future, its important to understand what happened in the past. Thats the idea behind ArchaeoGLOBE, a project that looks at land use around the world—like in the Italian Alps, seen here—during the past 10,000 years. (Photo courtesy: Lucas Stephens) Crowdsourcing 10,000 years of land use More than 250 archaeologists from around the world contributed their knowledge to ArchaeoGLOBE, an effort to better understand the prevalence of agriculture, pastoralism, and hunting and gathering at different points in human history.
Five insights into how the brain works Martha J. Farah, the Annenberg Professor of Natural Sciences, is director of the Center for Neuroscience & Society at Penn. (Pre-pandemic image: Courtesy Martha Farah) Five insights into how the brain works As the Center for Neuroscience & Society celebrates 10 years, founding director Martha Farah reflects on the array of research from its faculty, on subjects from brain games to aggression.
Equifax breach and how credit agencies must change how they manage data After a massive data breach in 2017, the Equifax settlement with the FTC, the Consumer Protection Bureau and all 50 U.S. states calls for the firm to pay up to $700 million in damages. Equifax breach and how credit agencies must change how they manage data Wharton’s David Zaring analyzes the Equifax settlement, struck last week between the credit reporting firm and federal regulators over a massive data breach in 2017, and the call for stronger legislation and regulatory restraints to protect consumers.
For non-Hispanic whites in the U.S., life expectancy outlook worsens For non-Hispanic whites in the U.S., life expectancy outlook worsens Research from Penn demographers shows that, though trends vary regionally, mortality is increasing, particularly for women, 25- to 44-year-olds, and those in rural areas.