Kevin Systrom, Instagram co-founder, applies his data-minded approach to model the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing parallels between viral tech and disease spread. He shares insights on public data skepticism and offers projections for the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of data analysis during crises. This episode offers a unique perspective on leveraging tech leadership and data science for real-world challenges beyond e-commerce.
Key takeaways
Systrom's data models projected a peak in new COVID-19 cases around mid-May (from a 2020 perspective), showcasing predictive analytics in action.
The episode highlights the natural human inclination to doubt data, a critical factor for merchants to consider when presenting performance metrics or product information to their customers.
Systrom draws a parallel between the rapid spread of viral technology and disease, offering a framework for understanding rapid adoption or decline in market trends.
The discussion touches on Kevin Systrom's activities post-Facebook, offering a glimpse into how founders apply their skills to new, impactful endeavors.
Data analysis principles are universal, whether tracking user engagement or market trends, underscoring the importance of robust analytics in any business domain.
Instagram co-founder and former CEO Kevin Systrom talks with Recode's Kara Swisher about the data analysis he has conducted and publicized about the global spread of coronavirus, and what it tells us the future looks like. He says he applied the same data-minded approach to the virus that he did while at Instagram because "data is data," and says the rapid word of mouth spread of "viral" technology can help us understand what happens when communities and governments don't act to prevent an outbreak. Systrom also talks about people's natural inclination to doubt data, and says the numbers suggest that new cases of covid-19 will peak in mid-May. Plus: Why he hopes his data model is wrong, and what he's been doing since he and fellow Instagram co-founder Mike Krieger left Facebook in 2018.
Featuring:
Kevin Systrom (@kevin), Instagram co-founder and former CEO
Host:
Kara Swisher (@karaswisher), Recode co-founder and editor-at-large
More to explore:
On Reset, Arielle Duhaime-Ross explores why — and how — tech is changing everything.
On Recode Media, Peter Kafka interviews business titans, journalists, comedians and podcasters about the collision of tech and media.
On Pivot, Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway talk about the big tech news stories of the week, who's winning, who's failing, and what comes next.
And on Land of the Giants, Jason Del Rey chronicled the rise of Amazon. Season 2 will focus on Netflix and is coming soon!
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What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Systrom's data models projected a peak in new COVID-19 cases around mid-May (from a 2020 perspective), showcasing predictive analytics in action.
What does this episode say about analytics & attribution?
The episode highlights the natural human inclination to doubt data, a critical factor for merchants to consider when presenting performance metrics or product information to their customers.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Systrom draws a parallel between the rapid spread of viral technology and disease, offering a framework for understanding rapid adoption or decline in market trends.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
The discussion touches on Kevin Systrom's activities post-Facebook, offering a glimpse into how founders apply their skills to new, impactful endeavors.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Data analysis principles are universal, whether tracking user engagement or market trends, underscoring the importance of robust analytics in any business domain.
