Newsletter #38 • Data

The Data Literacy Gap

3 questions to ask before trusting any data.

The LinkedIn Summary

Kunal's team gets AI insight: "Feature X drives 23% more engagement." They build it.

Later: biased sample, misleading insight. ₹15L wasted.

65% lack basic data literacy (PwC). They can't spot biased samples or correlation vs. causation. Solution: 3 Critical Questions.

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THE CASE: Misinterpreted AI Insights

Kunal's team gets AI insight: "Feature X drives 23% more engagement." They build it. Huge investment. Later they discover: biased sample, misleading insight. The 23% was correlation, not causation. ₹15L wasted.

The Core Insight

65% lack basic data literacy (PwC). They can't spot biased samples, correlation vs. causation, or statistical significance. Misinterpreted insights cause 40% of failed launches (Gartner).

The Evidence

65% lack data literacy (PwC)

Misinterpreted insights: 40% of failed launches (Gartner)

Data literacy training: 50% fewer bad decisions (IBM)

The 3 Critical Questions Framework

Train Your Team on These Questions

  1. Sample size: How much data? Is it statistically significant?
  2. Bias: Does the data reflect reality or a skewed subset?
  3. Causation: Is this correlation or causation?

Assign a "Data Skeptic" to challenge AI insight interpretation before acting.

The Experiment

Before acting on AI insights for 4 weeks, require "Data Skeptic" review. Track decision quality improvement.

Sources

  • PwC. Data Literacy in the AI Era. 2023.
  • Gartner. The Cost of Misinterpreted Data. 2023.

Key Takeaways

  • 65% of employees can't properly interpret AI-generated insights
  • Always ask: Sample size? Bias? Causation?
  • Assign "Data Skeptics" to challenge interpretation

Next Newsletter

AI Vendors Are Selling Snake Oil

Read Newsletter #39

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