Free resources for Data Inspired: The new book by Sebastian Wernicke on using data to inspire transformation, not just optimization.
Sebastian Wernicke in the Media
In reverse chronological order.
Winning with AI by Becoming Data Inspired
For years, leaders have been told that data is the new oil, and that big data, analytics, machine learning, and digitalization will transform everything. Yet survey results remain stubbornly consistent: nearly all leaders say data and AI are a top priority, and about two-thirds admit they are not satisfied with the value they’re actually getting. This persistent gap breeds data frustration. Wernicke argues this is not primarily a tooling issue. It is a cultural and decision-making issue.
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Data Inspired: How Data Can Drive Change
Learn how human resources professionals can evolve into critical consumers of data. This episode emphasizes the importance of starting with real, pressing business problems rather than simply looking at what metrics happen to be available in the HR dashboard. It covers practical methods for building data literacy within HR teams, cultivating a digital-first mindset, and creating a robust data culture that empowers leaders to make evidence-based decisions about talent and retention.
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From Data-Driven to Data-Inspired
Find out why the common adage that "data speaks for itself" is a dangerous myth in modern business. In this episode, the discussion reveals how companies frequently fall into the trap of using metrics merely to reinforce and optimize the status quo instead of driving real, disruptive change. Gain a deeper understanding of the psychological barriers that prevent teams from acting on clear insights and learn how to foster an environment where data challenges assumptions rather than confirming biases.
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Why CAIOs need to be a driver—and not coordinator—of change
Author and analyst Sebastian Wernicke offers his advice for those taking on the role of chief AI officer.
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Data Doesn't Convince People—People Do
Explore the deeply human side of analytics as we unpack the reality that data doesn't convince people—people do. This interview dives into the psychological aspects of data consumption, explaining why presenting undeniable facts often fails to change minds in a corporate setting. The discussion heavily focuses on the crucial role that psychological safety plays, demonstrating how creating a culture of trust and open dialogue is a prerequisite for unlocking the true power of your organization's data.
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Why Your Data Strategy Keeps Failing
Uncover the fascinating paradox of why successful data collection so often fails to translate into tangible behavioral change. This episode introduces and breaks down common workplace archetypes—like the 'Dashboard Director' and the 'Data Diver'—to illustrate how different personalities interact with information. By understanding the human psychology behind data resistance, listeners will discover how to tailor their communication strategies, overcome ingrained workplace habits, and finally make their data strategies stick.
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Data Alone Doesn't Make Better Decisions. Graduates Need to Know That
Despite their technical brilliance, modern data professionals are entering the workforce entirely unprepared for a fundamental truth: data alone rarely changes minds. To ensure data actually drives better organizational decisions, author Sebastian Wernicke argues that academic institutions must stop treating behavioral psychology as a siloed elective.
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What Steph Curry Can Teach Business About the Limits of Data
In 2016, the Golden State Warriors won nearly 90% of their games, a feat widely attributed to one player: Stephen Curry. But the real story isn’t about a superstar; it’s about what happens when organizations act on data.
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Sebastian Wernicke, Author of Data Inspired
Step inside the pervasive challenge of moving beyond a purely "data-driven" mindset. This conversation explores why so many organizations inevitably stall in their transformation efforts, even when they heavily prioritize data and artificial intelligence investments. It highlights the disconnect between having access to high-quality information and the human capacity to execute on it, offering a roadmap for leaders to break through organizational inertia and ensure data initiatives actually deliver ROI.
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Data Inspired is Your Edge!
Highlights from my keynote "Data Inspired is Your Edge!" given at the SAP Enterprise Architect Forum in Newtown Square, PA, 2026
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Dr. Sebastian Wernicke, Chief Data Scientist
Listen in on a deeply technical and strategic conversation about leveraging advanced data science and robust tech stacks to directly improve the bottom line for enterprise customers. The discussion shares behind-the-scenes insights into building scalable AI solutions and operationalizing machine learning models. The episode offers a compelling look at the intersection of business strategy and data engineering, highlighting what it takes to turn complex algorithms into measurable corporate success.
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The Ultimate TED Talk with Sebastian Wernicke
Get a comprehensive breakdown of what makes a successful presentation based on a rigorous analysis of big data and leadership insights. This episode reflects on the findings from a viral TED Talk that analyzed thousands of presentations to uncover the ultimate formula for engaging an audience. The conversation explores the creation of the famous "tedPAD," the intersection of quantitative analysis and public speaking, and how leaders can apply data-backed storytelling techniques to inspire their teams.
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Sebastian Wernicke with Cade Massey
Sebastian Wernicke, Chief Data Scientist, joins host Cade Massey at the 2019 Wharton People Analytics Conference.
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Analytics of TED Talks
Have you ever wondered what makes certain Ted Talks go viral? Sebastian Wernicke, Chief Data Scientist at ONE LOGIC, analyzed all of the Ted Talks over the last 10 years and conducted a statistical analysis to identify what makes the most memorable Ted Talks. He looks at delivery style, profession, talk duration, and so many more interesting factors. See what he believes makes the most effective Ted Talk.
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How to use data to make a hit TV show
Does collecting more data lead to better decision-making? Competitive, data-savvy companies like Amazon, Google and Netflix have learned that data analysis alone doesn't always produce optimum results. In this talk, data scientist Sebastian Wernicke breaks down what goes wrong when we make decisions based purely on data -- and suggests a brainier way to use it.
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Choose your own TED Talk
Sebastian Wernicke places the fate of his TED Talk into the hands of his audience. By offering simple A or B choices, he allows audience members to steer his talk’s direction as he discusses the creator of the choose-your-own-adventure genre of books, author Edward Packard.TEDArchive presents previously unpublished talks from TED conferences.
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1,000 TED Talks in six words
Sebastian Wernicke thinks every TED Talk can be summarized in six words. In this talk, he shows how to do just that -- and less.
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Datacasting: What will you buy tomorrow?
Jim Giles and Peter Aldhous detailed a forecasting experiment where they challenged data scientists to predict the magazine's weekly UK newsstand sales from 2006 to 2010. Sebastian Wernicke entered the contest by applying a statistical algorithm to the historical data. To search for a straightforward pattern in what drove purchases, he ran a pixel-by-pixel analysis of each cover to map color distribution, while also throwing variables like wording, image types, and public holidays into the mix.
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How to Give the Perfect TED Talk
In Bloomberg Businessweek’s “How to Give the Perfect TED Talk,” data scientist Sebastian Wernicke playfully reverse-engineers the TED formula, using statistical analysis to suggest what makes a talk succeed. Equal parts satire and speaking advice, the piece turns TED’s polished performance culture into a data problem, showing how timing, wording, emotional cues, and audience expectations can be mined for patterns—and gently poking fun at the idea that inspiration can be optimized by algorithm.
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Lies, damned lies and statistics (about TEDTalks)
In a brilliantly tongue-in-cheek analysis, Sebastian Wernicke turns the tools of statistical analysis on TEDTalks, to come up with a metric for creating "the optimum TEDTalk" based on user ratings. How do you rate it? "Jaw-dropping"? "Unconvincing"? Or just plain "Funny"?
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