Data Science

  • AI robot pressing a nuclear launch button.

    Article

    How Artificial Intelligence Could Increase the Risk of Nuclear War

    Advances in AI have provoked a new kind of arms race among nuclear powers. This technology could challenge the basic rules of nuclear deterrence and lead to catastrophic miscalculations.

    Apr 23, 2018

  • Server room data center with icon representing cloud storage

    Report

    Identifying Law Enforcement Needs for Access to Digital Evidence in Remote Data Centers

    Researchers discuss the challenge of accessing data in remote data centers, summarize the discussion of an expert panel, and provide a list of needs identified and prioritized by the panel to inform concerned communities and stakeholders.

    Apr 23, 2018

  • Illustration of the scales of justice with computer circuit board background

    Research Brief

    Emerging Technology Trends and Their Impact on Criminal Justice

    The Criminal Justice Technology Forecasting Group discussed near-term effects that major societal trends could have on criminal justice and identified potential responses. This brief summarizes a report of the results of the group's meetings.

    Mar 26, 2018

  • A witness in a courtroom swearing to tell the truth

    Commentary

    Truth Decay and the Spirit of the Law

    The widening gap between how the law is expected to be (and generally is) practiced, and certain events transpiring in America's political and policymaking realms, is of increasing concern.

    Mar 23, 2018

  • A judge's gavel represented in computer code

    Report

    Addressing Emerging Trends to Support the Future of Criminal Justice: Findings of the Criminal Justice Technology Forecasting Group

    The Criminal Justice Technology Forecasting Group deliberated on the effects that major societal trends could have on criminal justice in the near future and identified potential responses. This report captures the results of the group's meetings.

    Mar 19, 2018

  • William Welser IV, Rebecca Balebako, and Osonde Osoba in a RAND panel discussion in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, February 20, 2018

    Blog

    'Alexa, What Do You Know About Me, and Who Are You Telling?'

    RAND experts held a wide-ranging discussion about artificial intelligence and privacy. They raised questions about fairness and equity regarding privacy and data use, while also highlighting positive trends and developments across the evolving AI-privacy landscape.

    Mar 1, 2018

  • Soledad O'Brien (RAND trustee and Pardee RAND board member), Michael D. Rich (RAND president and CEO), and Francis Fukuyama (Pardee RAND board member)

    Q&A

    The Perils of Truth Decay: Q&A with Three RAND Leaders

    Truth Decay is defined by disagreement about facts, the blurred line between opinion and fact, increased volume of opinion and personal experience over fact, and declining trust in formerly respected sources of facts. RAND president and CEO Michael D. Rich, journalist Soledad O'Brien, and political scientist Francis Fukuyama discuss the phenomenon and the search for solutions to it.

    Feb 27, 2018

  • Composite impage of a hand holding a digital device locked with a padlock symbol

    Multimedia

    The Collision of AI and Privacy

    In this Events @ RAND podcast, RAND experts discuss risks to privacy in the age of artificial intelligence.

    Feb 20, 2018

  • Brochure

    A focus on cybersecurity

    Cybersecurity has risen to become a prominent issue of national and global security for governments and international organisations worldwide. A focus on cybersecurity looks at the issues and details RAND Europe's expertise and work in the area.

    Feb 15, 2018

  • Women and their families sit on a bench

    Research Brief

    Evaluating Global Family Planning Programs

    In 2013, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation launched two programs to help track progress toward a global goal to increase modern contraceptive use by 2020. Evaluating these programs, researchers found opportunities for improvement in four areas.

    Feb 5, 2018

  • Woman attends a health education session in northern Nigeria

    Report

    Evaluation of Two Programs Supporting Global Family Planning Data Needs: Assessing Achievements, Informing Future Directions

    This evaluation of two programs that help monitor progress toward a global goal to increase modern contraceptive use by 2020 is based on qualitative and quantitative data from interviews with more than 260 stakeholders in 16 countries.

    Feb 5, 2018

  • African American woman holding a young child on her hip

    Report

    Evaluation of Two Programs Supporting Global Family Planning Data Needs: Summary

    This report summarizes an evaluation of two programs that help monitor progress toward a global goal to increase modern contraceptive use by 2020.

    Feb 5, 2018

  • Report

    Report

    Issues with Access to Acquisition Data and Information in the Department of Defense: Considerations for Implementing the Controlled Unclassified Information Reform Program

    This report provides a closer look at the current state of the Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) program as well as how the new CUI rules might affect DoD acquisition data management.

    Jan 24, 2018

  • Multimedia

    Exploring "Truth Decay"

    In this Call with the Experts, RAND president and CEO Michael Rich and political scientist Jennifer Kavanagh discuss the causes and consequences of Truth Decay, and how they compare with previous eras in U.S. history.

    Jan 17, 2018

  • Torn American flag waving in the wind on a cloudy day

    Commentary

    The Diminishing Role of Facts in American Public Life

    Without agreement about objective facts and a common understanding of and respect for data and analytical interpretations of those data, it becomes nearly impossible to have the types of meaningful policy debates that form the foundation of democracy.

    Jan 17, 2018

  • News Release

    News Release

    Declining Trust in Facts, Institutions Imposes Real-World Costs on U.S. Society

    Americans' reliance on facts to discuss public issues has declined significantly in the past two decades, leading to political paralysis and collapse of civil discourse. This phenomenon, referred to as “Truth Decay,” is defined by increasing disagreement about facts, a blurring between opinion and fact, an increase in the relative volume of opinion and personal experience over fact, and declining trust in formerly respected sources of factual information.

    Jan 16, 2018

  • A security lock symbol on computer circuit board

    Report

    Law Enforcement Cyber Center: Final Technical Report

    Cybercrime is a challenge for local and state law enforcement. The Law Enforcement Cyber Center (LECC) was established to provide a resource to combat cybercrime. This report summarizes the LECC's activities and provides recommendations.

    Jan 15, 2018

  • A row of people on their mobile phones

    Research Brief

    Truth Decay: A Threat to Policymaking and Democracy

    The line between fact and fiction in American public life is blurring. This “Truth Decay” phenomenon affects democracy and political and civil discourse, driving wedges between policymakers and neighbors alike. But research and analysis can serve as a launching point to rein Truth Decay in.

    Jan 15, 2018

  • The words Truth Decay over a fading American flag painted on wood

    Report

    Declining Trust in Facts and Institutions Imposes Costs on Society

    “Truth Decay” is the diminishing reliance on facts and analysis in American public life. It has many damaging consequences: the erosion of civil discourse, political paralysis, alienation and disengagement from political and civic institutions, and uncertainty over U.S. policy.

    Jan 15, 2018

  • A child poses with a Lego Boost set, a predicted top seller this Christmas, at the Hamleys toy store in London, Britain, October 12, 2017

    Commentary

    Smart Toys May Pose Risks

    Parents shouldn't avoid buying smart toys during the holidays, particularly if these devices top children's Christmas lists. But parents should definitely be wary of the security and privacy risks that smart toys can pose.

    Dec 21, 2017