WSJ Tech News Briefing: AI Tools Help Alzheimer’s Researchers Dig Into Data
Release Date: March 27, 2025
Host: Victoria Craig, The Wall Street Journal

Introduction

In the March 27, 2025 episode of WSJ Tech News Briefing, host Victoria Craig delves into two pivotal technology-driven topics: managing digital privacy through burner numbers and the transformative role of AI in Alzheimer's research. This detailed summary captures the essence of these discussions, highlighting expert insights, key points, and notable quotes with precise timestamps.

Managing Digital Privacy with Burner Numbers

Victoria Craig opens the episode by addressing the pervasive issue of spam calls and texts, introducing the concept of burner numbers as a strategic solution to protect personal information.

The Need for Burner Numbers

At [00:33], Craig explains the growing concern over spam and unwanted communications:

"Every service asks you for your number. It's very rare to not shell out your number and that's its a super valuable piece of information."

Nicole Nguyen, the WSJ Personal Tech Columnist, elaborates on the significance of burner numbers:

"Everyone needs a burner number and that's because our phone numbers have become a proxy for our identities on the Internet." [01:36]

She emphasizes that a burner number allows individuals to segregate their primary number from those used for less critical interactions, thereby enhancing privacy and reducing spam exposure.

Setting Up Burner Numbers

Nguyen provides practical advice on obtaining a burner number, recommending Google Voice as an accessible option:

"The easiest way to get a burner number is through Google Voice. Google Voice offers a free virtual US Phone number." [02:17]

She outlines that while Google Voice permits changing the number annually, for more frequent swaps, the Burner app is a viable alternative, despite its associated costs.

Weighing the Benefits

When questioned about the practicality of adopting a burner number for those apprehensive about minor inconveniences, Nguyen confidently supports the approach:

"A lot of businesses that ask for your phone number can share it or sell it... it's a good idea to have less essential things digital services be tied to a different number that's not your primary account." [02:58]

This strategy not only safeguards sensitive accounts but also ensures that personal numbers remain uncluttered from promotional messages and potential security risks.

AI Tools Accelerate Alzheimer's Research

Transitioning from personal tech solutions, Craig introduces a groundbreaking application of AI in the realm of medical research, specifically targeting Alzheimer's disease.

The Role of Knowledge Graphs

Bel Lynn, a WSJ reporter, discusses the integration of knowledge graphs in Alzheimer's research at the Oxford Drug Discovery Institute:

"A knowledge graph is basically like a map that can lead you through a bunch of connections between various data points." [06:47]

She explains that knowledge graphs facilitate the organization and retrieval of vast biomedical data, enabling researchers to identify connections between genes and disease mechanisms more efficiently than traditional methods.

Enhancing Research Efficiency with AI

Lynn highlights the synergistic effect of pairing knowledge graphs with AI, resulting in a tenfold increase in data processing speed:

"They were able to do this process of looking through a very, very vast amount of biomedical information about 10 times faster." [07:59]

This acceleration allows researchers to allocate more time to experimental and validation phases, thereby expediting the drug discovery pipeline.

Tackling the Complexity of Alzheimer's Research

Alzheimer's disease presents unique challenges due to its multifaceted nature, encompassing various social, economic, and environmental factors. Lynn notes:

"Alzheimer's in particular has a lot of confounding social and economic, social, environmental factors... you really want to spend the time digging through the vast amount of research to make sure that you are targeting the most druggable genes." [09:35]

The use of AI-driven knowledge graphs ensures that researchers can efficiently navigate this complexity, focusing on the most promising genetic targets for therapeutic intervention.

Broader Applications of Knowledge Graphs

Beyond biomedical research, Lynn points out the versatility of knowledge graphs across different industries:

"Knowledge graphs have already been used by digital retailers to help provide recommendations for the recommendations that they provide to online shoppers." [10:16]

She cites platforms like Pinterest, which utilize knowledge graphs to offer personalized content based on user interactions, demonstrating the technology's expansive potential.

Conclusion

The episode of WSJ Tech News Briefing underscores the profound impact of technology in both personal privacy management and advanced scientific research. From empowering individuals to safeguard their digital identities with burner numbers to revolutionizing Alzheimer's research through AI-enhanced knowledge graphs, the discussions highlight the continual evolution and integration of technology in addressing contemporary challenges.

Produced by Jess Jupiter with supervising producer Emily Martosi, and hosted by Victoria Craig, this episode serves as a testament to the Wall Street Journal's commitment to delivering insightful and impactful technology news.

Notable Quotes:

• Nicole Nguyen at [01:36]: "Everyone needs a burner number and that's because our phone numbers have become a proxy for our identities on the Internet."

• Bel Lynn at [06:47]: "A knowledge graph is basically like a map that can lead you through a bunch of connections between various data points."

• Bel Lynn at [07:59]: "They were able to do this process of looking through a very, very vast amount of biomedical information about 10 times faster."

• Bel Lynn at [09:35]: "Alzheimer's in particular has a lot of confounding social and economic, social, environmental factors..."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key themes and expert insights discussed in the episode, providing valuable information for listeners and readers alike who seek to understand the intersection of technology with personal privacy and medical research advancements.