WHY YOUR PRIVACY IS NO MORE – A TALK BY DR. ZEESHAN USMANI

By: Sultan Al Turki

Dated: February 14, 2020

Last Tuesday, Dr. Zeeshan-ul-hassan Usmani came to Manarat to speak for The Stage about data and how it is used in the field of data science. Dr. Zeeshan is a highly accomplished data scientist with a PhD in Computer Science and 6 Masters.

The talk began with a broad definition of the field of data science and data itself. Data is any information within a given context; and data science is the use of said data along with certain algorithms or systems to extract insights or knowledge. As Dr. Zeeshan explained, there are three forms of data scientists: those who use past data to find solutions to past problems, those who use past data to find solutions to future problems, and those who use past data to try and predict future patterns.

Now you might be asking yourself: “Well, I’m sure the predictions can’t be that accurate, can they?” Well, I’m here to tell you to think again. Dr. Zeeshan gave an example using his CNNMoney interview. During this interview, Dr. Zeeshan was able to predict the interviewer’s sleeping patterns, dietary habits, spending habits, and the date of her dog’s death, as well as other attributes with an astounding 97% accuracy! And he was able to do this using only her full name and publicly available tools.

If that doesn’t scare you, what might is that, technically, anyone can do it. The resource I found the most success on is applymagicsauce. This website allows you to upload Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn data and make predictions based of that. These predictions include age, gender, personality, and leadership potential. Dr. Zeeshan also explained that prediction software like these are used by companies when you apply for a job, as well as 131 embassies around the world when you apply for a visa.

But it’s not just predictions that are possible. In the future, Dr. Zeeshan claims that the fields of data science and machine learning will take over most jobs. He also provided the statistic that if we were to change the definition of literacy from being able to read and write, to being able to use a programming language (which he also said was a serious possibility), the literacy rate would drop from 86% to 3%. Which means that if you plan to work at all within the next few decades, you should probably learn to use a programming language. If you have trouble choosing, Dr. Zeeshan recommends Python. 

Some examples of job options were also given by Dr. Zeeshan if you have other interests. For example, you could be a 3D food chef, or a Machine Psychologist, or perhaps a Data Detective, maybe even a Nano Medic. These may sound like science-fiction but give it a decade or two and it’ll just be our reality.

Well if you’re worried, which I definitely was at the time, you might be asking yourself: “What measures were put in place to prevent malicious use of these resources?”

Dr. Zeeshan has said that there are none.

“Well what should I do to protect myself?” You ask.

Don’t.

Don’t try to protect yourself, it’s far too late for that. Dr. Zeeshan recommends that if anything, you should give up as much information as possible. This is best explained in the example that he gave. Imagine you decide to spend a two-week vacation in New York. You also decide not to use credit cards at all, and instead use cash. By the 7th day, the police will be knocking at your door. Why? Because you provided no pattern, no data. You would seem suspicious, like a man in a black hoodie avoiding eye contact with anyone of the street. So, by giving information, you basically create a digital alibi. And if you think that you can get away by just getting rid of your phone or computer, you would be sorely mistaken. Because it’s not just your data, but your family’s and friends’ data that can be used to identify you as well.

So, what’s the moral of this then? Well, mainly that the future, like it or not, is going to be very, very different. And we, especially this country, with one of the youngest populations on the planet, should be pushing ourselves towards the field of computer science, directly or indirectly. And also, as long as you’re being yourself and not acting stupid online, you should be alright.

At the end of the talk, our academic coordinator, Mr Shaheryar Siddiqui, presented Dr. Zeeshan with a certificate from the school. And I would also like to use this opportunity to thank Dr. Zeeshan personally on behalf of the Manarat Times team, as well as all of the students of Manarat.

Thank you.