Slides for Pydata London 2017 Lightning Talks

1. DATA FOR EVIL(?)
DATA IN WAR
WON BAE SUH
KCL MA STUDENT + INFOSYS (JULY 2017)

2. PYDATA – PERSONAL TAKE
PYTHON
SCIENCE/ MAGIC
DATA

3. APPLICATION OF DATA
“You have no control over who uses your data and for what purpose
(in the future)”
- Prof. Charlotte Roueché, KCL Professor of Classics

4. LIBYA VS. LIBERIA
Source: Wikimedia commonsSource: worldatlas

5. WHY LIBYA?
• Conquered and colonized by Phoenocians, Carthagians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs,
Ottomans (Not to mention Italians).
• Wealth of Cultural heritage. 5 UNESCO HERITAGE sites
• The only available example that shows data being used for “good” (Availability
Bias)
• Source 1: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13755445
• Source 2: http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ly

6. ANCIENT LIBYAN HERITAGE
LEPTIS MAGNA / FEDERICA LEONE SABRATHA
SOURCE: UNESCO

7. LIBYA (2011) IN A NUTSHELL
• Ruled by Col. Gaddafi’s authoritarian regime
• Civilan Protests and violent crackdown
• Beginning of Civil War between Rebel and Government forces
• UN authorizes “No Fly Zone” and NATO Air Intervention
• Gaddafi’s Government overthrown

8. THE GOOD: HOW DATA WAS USED IN LIBYA
• Two Classics Professors collected geo-rich data of Greco-Roman heritage sites
• Prior to bombing, approached by charity Blue Shield and heritage organisation
International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
• Damage to Libyan heritage reduced as data was passed on to NATO and UK MoD
• https://www.kcl.ac.uk/innovation/action/ArtsHums/libya.aspx
• http://www.slsgazetteer.org/

9. THE BAD AND SAD
• Data collected by the KCL professors was used beyond its original (academic)
intent. But employed for “good” intent. (thankfully)
• The heritage sites not destroyed by NATO were later vandalized by local militia,
antique dealers and religious zealots. A for effort.
• Civil War (ongoing) and heritage, if any left, in further danger (according to
UNESCO).

10. OTHER USE CASES
• SIMULATION AND MODELLING (Gulf War data)
• SUPPLY CHAIN (LOGISTICS)**
• TARGET ACQUISITION & INTELLIGENCE
Source
http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt8x0nd0f4/entire_text/

11. TAKEAWAY
• Data collected today might be used/abused tomorrow. You simply cannot know
• Leave behind good quality data. Documentation too.
• DATA in Defence/War is questionable in intent. More cooperation between NGO
and Governments to enhance transparency.
• War is evil. Period.

12. THANK YOU
And Other Sponsors