NOVA IMS has launched, in partnership with Observador, the podcast "Os Dados da Questão", a 10-episode series focused on the role of data and artificial intelligence in improving decision-making processes across the public and private sectors.

The podcast brings together experts from academia, industry, and government to discuss real-world applications of data and AI, addressing topics such as digital transformation, service efficiency, organizational innovation, and the challenges of implementing data-driven solutions.

Each episode is grounded in concrete projects and practical experience, highlighting what changes when decisions are guided by data rather than intuition.

The podcast airs on Rádio Observador every Wednesday at 3:15 PM. An extended version is available on Observador.pt and on major podcast platforms.

Episodes

• Episode 1: The opening episode examines how widespread access to data and artificial intelligence is reshaping decision-making in government and business. It explores the distinction between simply digitizing processes and achieving true transformation, as well as the challenges of executing data-driven strategies with real impact.
  
  Participants: Miguel de Castro Neto, Dean of NOVA IMS; Armindo Monteiro, President of CIP – Portuguese Business Confederation; and Manuel Dias, State CTO and President of the Agência para a Reforma Tecnológica do Estado.
  
  🎧 Listen to the full episode here.
  
  
• Episode 2: This episode explores how data and AI can support public health policymaking through the Cardiopolicy Optimizer, an application that simulates the impact of different interventions on the prevention of cardiovascular disease. The tool allows users to test multiple scenarios, making the consequences of action – and inaction – visible and highlighting the value of evidence-based decision-making.
  
  Participants: Ricardo Baptista Leite, Chair of the NOVA Center for Global Health at NOVA IMS and CEO of HealthAI –The Global Agency for Responsible AI in Health, and Patrícia Vasconcelos, Internal Medicine specialist at Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca.
  
  🎧 Listen to the full episode here.
  
  
• Episode 3: This episode explores how Process Mining can help organizations better understand how their processes actually work. Drawing on the case of Allianz Portugal, the conversation shows how this approach makes the real flow of work visible, helps detect inefficiencies, reduces time and costs, and supports more informed decision-making, with a direct impact on the customer experience.
  
  Participants: Frederico Jesus, Professor at NOVA IMS and specialist in Process Mining, and José Neves, Member of the Executive Committee at Allianz Portugal.
  
  🎧 Listen to the full episode here.
  
  
• Episode 4: This episode explores the European project DeployTour and how data and artificial intelligence can help transform the tourism sector. The conversation highlights practical applications, from analyzing tourist density in high-pressure areas to support urban planning, to helping SMEs forecast demand, adjust pricing, and personalize their offer. It also shows how mobility patterns can support more informed decisions on the ground and contribute to more efficient tourism management.
  
  Featuring: Nuno António, Professor at NOVA IMS and Coordinator of the NOVA Tourism & Hospitality Analytics Lab, and Sérgio Guerreiro, Coordinating Director of the Knowledge Management Department at Turismo de Portugal.
  
  🎧 Listen to the full episode here.
  
  
• Episode 5: This episode explores how data and artificial intelligence can support the assessment of legislative impact, based on the AI4PA project. The conversation highlights how this tool makes it possible to estimate costs and effects before new measures are implemented, contributing to more informed decision-making and more effective legislation.
  
  Guests: Pedro Simões Coelho, Professor at NOVA IMS and Director of the NOVA Data-Driven Public Policies Lab, and Manuel Cabugueira, former Coordinator of the Technical Unit for Legislative Impact Assessment.
  
  🎧 Listen to the full episode here.
  
  
• Episode 6: This episode examines how data and artificial intelligence can help identify early signs of school dropout. Based on a partnership between NOVA IMS and the Directorate-General for Education and Science Statistics, the discussion highlights the potential of pattern analysis to support more preventive and tailored decisions in education.
  
  Guests: Tiago Oliveira, Professor at NOVA IMS, and Luísa Loura, former Director-General for Education and Science Statistics.
  
  🎧 Listen to the full episode here.
  
  
• Episode 7: This episode explores the application of data and artificial intelligence in the management of public services, focusing on the Institute of Registries and Notary. The conversation shows how data analysis can support decisions on resource allocation, accessibility, demand forecasting, and the balance between in-person and digital services.
  
  Guests: Bruno Damásio, Professor at NOVA IMS and Co-Coordinator of the NOVA Applied Economics & Analytics Lab, and Jorge Rodrigues da Ponte, former President of the Institute of Registries and Notary.
  
  🎧 Listen to the full episode here.
  
  
• Episode 8: This episode looks at how data and artificial intelligence can contribute to more effective health communication, based on the Smart Health project. Through the analysis of online interactions, the discussion shows how it is possible to identify motivations, concerns, and signs of vaccine hesitancy, supporting more informed public health decisions.
  
  Guests: Rita Sá Machado, Director-General of Health, and Diego Costa Pinto, Professor at NOVA IMS and Coordinator of the NOVA Marketing Analytics Lab.
  
  🎧 Listen to the full episode here.
  
  
• Episode 9: This episode explores the role of data and artificial intelligence in shaping more informed, place-based public policies. Using the Oeste Smart Region project as an example, the discussion highlights practical applications in areas such as tourism and mobility, demonstrating the potential of digital transformation across different territories.
  
  Guests: Paulo Simões, Executive Secretary of the Oeste Intermunicipal Community, and Miguel de Castro Neto, Director of NOVA IMS and Coordinator of the NOVA Cidade – Urban Analytics Lab.
  
  🎧 Listen to the full episode here.