“Let’s Talk About Data”: the IMFD podcast that brought artificial intelligence to all of Chile
In 2025, the Millennium Institute Foundational Research on Data IMFD) launched "Let's Talk About Data, the Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence," a podcast and radio program aimed at bringing citizens closer to the central themes of data science and artificial intelligence (AI) in different areas of social, professional, and cultural life. This initiative, funded by the Public Science program of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation, responds to the IMFD's commitment to socialize scientific knowledge in an accessible and approachable way, expanding its reach beyond traditional digital platforms.
Over ten episodes, the series explored how data management and analysis are transforming sectors such as health, education, communications, art, sustainability, democracy, security, and historical memory, featuring interviews with leading figures from each field. The podcast's interdisciplinary approach connects academic research with concrete applications in Chilean society.
The production was put together by a diverse team: Paula Mónica Silva was in charge of coordination and direction, Jocelyn Dunstan Escudero (IMC–DCC UC academic and IMFD researcher) was the academic host, and Davor Mimica, a renowned Chilean podcaster, was responsible for creative production.
In addition to being available online at hablemosdedatos.cl, the series was broadcast on a wide network of local radio stations covering the entire country from Arica to Magallanes. These included Vilas Radio (Arica and Iquique), Radio FM Siete in Antofagasta and Calama, community and regional stations in Vallenar, Los Andes, Valparaíso, Rancagua, Chillán, Osorno, Puerto Montt, Coyhaique, Puerto Aysén, and Punta Arenas, among others. This strategy made it possible to reach diverse audiences, achieving coverage of more than 46 municipalities throughout the country.
One series, multiple perspectives
Each episode of the series explored a key aspect, seeking to highlight an area in which artificial intelligence and data science are already being used in the country, and how each of these topics is being addressed in academia.
Chapter 1 – What is data science and how does AI work?: With the participation of Claudia López (academic in Computer Science, UTFSM; researcher at CENIA), an introduction to the fundamentals and social challenges of AI in our society was presented.
Chapter 2 – To the health of AI: Jaime Retamal and Cristián Navarrete (UC School of Medicine) shared their experiences on the use of data in intensive care medicine and diagnostic tools.
Chapter 3 – Educating with ChatGPT: Eugenio Severin (Director of UMMIA) and Ingrid Olea (Executive Director of Educación 2020) discussed the incorporation of intelligent tools in education.
Chapter 4 – Misinformation and opportunities in communications: Sebastián Valenzuela (UC School of Communications) and Marcelo Mendoza (UC DCC) explored the impact of generative technologies on the communications ecosystem.
Chapter 5 – Resources of the future to support our past: Memory: Domingo Mery (DCC UC) and Lorena Etcheberry (University of the Republic, Uruguay) analyzed the use of AI in Latin American historical archives.
Chapter 6 – The future will only exist if it is sustainable: Martín Tironi (UC Design; director of FAIR) and Catalina Giraldo (Circulametrics) reflected on data and sustainability.
Chapter 7 – Democracy and governance in the world of data: Sergio Toro (School of Government, Universidad Mayor), together with Ximena Jara and Pablo Matamoros (Narrativa Política), discussed AI applied to democratic processes.
Chapter 8 – Revolution in art and creativity: Felipe Rivas San Martín, visual artist, and Arturo Cariceo (Faculty of Arts, University of Chile) analyzed the new creative possibilities with generative AI.
Chapter 9 – Security is also digital: Alejandro Hevia (DCC U. de Chile) and Jazmine Maldonado (Soy.io) addressed cybersecurity challenges in an increasingly digital world.
Chapter 10 – A Future That Won't Wait: Gabriela Arriagada (Institute of Applied Ethics and IMC UC) closed the series by reflecting on the ethical and social challenges that AI poses for the future.
Outreach and citizen engagement
As part of its community outreach strategy, the IMFD was present at the "Descubriendo Conocimientos" (Discovering Knowledge) fair, organized by the University of Chile, where it met with more than 600 attendees interested in science, technology, and society. In this context, the institute promoted listening to the podcast among visitors, providing informational material—including a flyer about the episode dedicated to misinformation, one of the most relevant topics in the contemporary digital ecosystem—and generating direct dialogue with the public about the challenges and opportunities of AI.
For more information about the podcast, contact us at comunicaciones-imfd@imfd.cl
The video of the launching is available at: https://youtu.be/0w7r2WjrAx8
And episodes at www.hablemosdedatos.cl and on your favorite podcast platforms.
Project funded by the Public Science program of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation.