Conferences
Analytics Symposium: The Use of Analytics and AI in the Post-Pandemic World
MSI’s annual industry-leading symposium for analytics leaders, data scientists, and top researchers will be held virtually this year.
Baseball legend and prognosticator Yogi Berra once cautioned, “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” That’s especially true in the wake of major disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumer and business buying behavior may be changing as never before. (“Past performance is no guarantee of future results.”) Is data science up to the challenge? Can machine learning and artificial intelligence help marketers navigate the new normal? How will privacy and other concerns shape the future of predictive analytics?
Please join MSI’s Analytics Symposium for interactive discussions with academic and business thought leaders on the use of AI for governance and risk mitigation, the benefits and risks algorithms, new opportunities for test and learn, and using AI to manage disruption.

Agenda
Start time | End time | Topic | Speaker | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
1:00 | 1:10 | Welcome & Introductions | Barbara Kahn, MSI & The Wharton School | |
1:10 | 1:20 | AI Risks and Governance | Kartik Hosanagar, The Wharton School | The opportunities from applying Machine Learning (ML) in customer analytics are immense. But what are the risks? In this talk, Kartik will discuss the many risks with ML applications in marketing automation and customer analytics. The talk will conclude with a discussion of three ideas to address those risks – transparency, user control, and QA for ML. |
1:20 | 1:30 | Understanding and Managing Risks with AI | Yogesh Mudgul, Citi | Democratization of AI is on the rise, and so is customer awareness. Organizations will improve the quality of their products and messaging to their customers, if they have a good understanding of various AI risks including data related, AI/ML attacks, and testing & trust. In this session, Yogesh will discuss managing risks with AI. |
1:30 | 1:40 | Demand Implications of Bias in Algorithms | Kalinda Ukanwa, The USC Marshall School of Business | Companies use algorithms because of their perceived benefits, such as increased efficiencies in conducting a variety of marketing activities. Times of disruption like these are a great opportunity to implement algorithms and experiment in marketing. However, if the algorithms are biased, their use can backfire and lead to lower demand for services. In this presentation, Professor Kalinda Ukanwa will share insights on how biased algorithms may directly be reducing your firm’s profits, approaches on how marketers can identify these biases, and strategies for using algorithms in a way that reduces detrimental effects. |
1:40 | 2:00 | Group Breakouts | All attendees | In smaller groups, attendees will meet to share their own experiences, ask questions, and share insights based on the first half of the event. |
2:00 | 2:10 | Q&A | All attendees | Group Discussion |
2:10 | 2:20 | Leveraging Data as an Operating Tool | Barkha Saxena, Poshmark | It’s no secret that disruptions create uncertainty, but by incorporating data into an organization’s decision-making process, it can help mitigate risk and allow for thoughtful contingency planning as a result. In this talk, Barkha will share how Poshmark has turned data into an operating tool for the company to help manage all aspects of business through investment in building technology, processes and organizational structures for data function. |
2:20 | 2:30 | Advertising After the Cookie-pocalypse | Garrett Johnson, Boston University | Modern digital advertising is anchored on consumer identity via the humble browser cookie. Due to privacy regulation & browser decisions, advertising will need to be rearchitected around new solutions. Prof. Johnson will discuss the economics of advertising identity, and the future tentpoles of digital advertising in a world without cookies. This future has important repercussions for advertising strategy, targeting and analytics. Advertisers need to have an eye on this future as it is now coming into focus. |
2:30 | 2:40 | The Evolving Measurement Strategy | Neil Hoyne, Google | In this session, Neil Hoyne will give an overview as to how marketers are redefining their measurement strategies in the face of economic, technical and regulatory disruption. What will be prioritized? What is losing favor? And how are companies adapting in their pursuit of a more resilient structure? |
2:40 | 3:00 | Group Breakouts | All attendees | In smaller groups, attendees will meet to share their own experiences, ask questions, and share insights based on the second half of the event. |
3:00 | 3:30 | Speaker Panel Discussion | All attendees | Opportunities for the Future |
Videos from the event are linked below for you to share with your team.
Demand Implications of Bias in Algorithms
Advertising After the Cookie-pocalypse
Every year, MSI hosts its annual analytics symposium with a top business school. This year we are pleased to present out event with Wharton AI for Business and Wharton Customer Analytics.

Can’t Miss Speakers
Hear industry and academic experts address the full range of questions, opportunities, and challenges. Speakers attend the entire conference and are always available for questions and deeper discussion during breakouts.
What Makes This Event Different

Time
This event takes a considered approach to use of your time, and is designed to include highest-value actvities.

Agenda
Presentation topics have been curated by you – our member companies – to ensure that we are focusing on your most important issues and questions.

Intimate
MSI events are deliberately small, giving you time to network and meet all of the speakers and attendees.

Non-sales
No pay-to-play. We pick speakers based on their expertise, ensuring you have the best content and not a sales pitch.
Registration is closed for this event.