Invited Speakers
Kamau Bobb
Title: Educational Justice in an AI World
Abstract
As the world of education is being upended by AI, access to foundational computing skills at the highest levels is under threat. When the word "diversity" itself is banned in some states, it raises the fundamental question of how to achieve a goal that you cannot say? The potential of AI to push the human frontier forward without creating social chasms too large to close will depend on what we do now. Dr. Bobb will discuss the importance of recognizing the historical moment of the time we find ourselves in.
Biography
Kamau Bobb is the Director of STEM Education Strategy and Research at Google and the founding Senior Director of the Constellations Center for Equity in Computing at Georgia Tech. He is a former Program Officer of the National Science Foundation in the Directorate of Computer and Information Science and Engineering. During his federal service, he served on President Obama’s MBK STEM Taskforce. Prior to his appointment, Dr. Bobb was the Director of the STEM Initiative for the University System of Georgia. Kamau holds a Ph.D. in Science and Technology Policy from Georgia Tech and M.S. and B.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.
Charity Freeman
Anshul Sonak
Title: Intel Digital Readiness Program – Addressing New AI Skills Divide
Abstract
AI is a new superpower impacting our lives and fueling new economic growth. Though AI toolsets are increasingly becoming cost effective, AI skill sets are still not easily accessible to the wider world beyond technology industry professionals. Making AI skills available for responsible usage by all is a key imperative for shared prosperity in a new AI fueled world. Intel is committed to making AI more inclusive and equitable with AI readiness of all people, irrespective of location, gender, ethnicity, and background, to prepare for all jobs across the industries. The session examines new public-private partnership models for AI readiness to reshape – not replace work and improve lives.
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/corporate/artificial-intelligence/ai-for-workforce-us.html
Biography
Anshul is the Principal Engineer and Global Director - Digital Readiness Programs Strategy, at Intel Corporation, based in USA Headquarters, Santa Clara. He manages worldwide Intel® Digital Readiness Program strategy and execution for tech skilling, workforce preparation, future of work, policy initiatives to democratize AI, and other emerging tech skills. He is a pioneer who started responsible AI skilling scale models for the citizens, students, current & and future workforce, and leaders through public-private partnerships with government-academia worldwide in 2018. He steers Intel’s digital inclusion and ESG commitment to make technology and expand digital readiness, as part of RISE 2030 goals. In May 2023, he was recognized as “The top 10 most inspiring education leaders 2023” by The Education Insights Magazine and featured on the cover page. In his 28-year-long career, he has played leadership roles in industry areas like education business, Corporate and Government Affairs, Technology Policy, Sustainability, Corporate Citizenship, CSR, and ESG. He has led both for-profit and nonprofit education initiatives. He is an alumnus of the Oxford Advanced Management & Leadership Program. He holds MIT Sloan School of Management certificates on “AI – Implications for Business Strategy” with MIT CSAIL (Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Lab) and on “Shaping The Future Of Work” with MIT IWER (Institute for Work and Employment Research). He is a Post-Graduate in Rural Management from IRMA (Institute of Rural Management) India. He has lived in India, Dubai (UAE), Kuala Lumpurv (Malaysia), and Singapore.
Ebony McGee
Title: Beyond the Exclusionary Algorithm: The Urgent Need for Anti-Racist AI Education and Research
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) has permeated all facets of society, but its ability to exacerbate societal inequalities is increasingly evident. The inherent biases within algorithms, a reflection of the predominantly homogeneous AI research community, underscore the urgent need for anti-racist education and research in AI. This presentation explores the intersection of AI, systemic bias, and the imperative for change. Research has exposed the prevalence of algorithmic bias, such as racial bias in facial recognition technology and discriminatory practices in AI-driven hiring tools. These instances highlight the detrimental impact of unchecked AI development and the entrenchment of systemic racism within AI systems. The path to rectifying this harmful bias starts with an educational overhaul. By incorporating anti-racist education in AI curricula, we can cultivate an AI research community that is not only racially diverse but also socially conscious. This transformation will arm the next generation of AI professionals with the awareness and tools needed to devise systems that respect and uphold racial equity. Case studies of successful interventions can offer recommendations for educators and researchers. These include interdisciplinary collaborations, policy engagement, and strategies to ensure representation and diversity in the AI field. In navigating towards a future where AI serves all of society equitably, this research underscores the critical role of anti-racist education and research.These transformative elements are not only necessary but also integral to the ethical advancement of AI. This work contributes to the essential dialogue around race, technology, and equality, aiming at a more inclusive and just algorithmic age.
Biography
Dr. Ebony McGee of Johns Hopkins University is a Professor of Innovation and Inclusion in the STEM Ecosystem in the School of Education and the Department of Mental Health under the School of Public Health. Dr. McGee is an electrical engineer by training and an 11-time NSF investigator awardee. She is the leading expert on race and structural racism in STEM, with all its toxic consequences and the growing resistance to the traditional STEM ecosystem. This includes the experiences and mental health consequences of seeking STEM training and occupations for Black and other minoritized students and professionals. She also investigates the limits of resiliency, wellness, and career embeddedness in the STEM ecosystem. She founded Racial Revolutionary and Inclusive Guidance for Health Throughout STEM (R-RIGHTS) and co-founded the Explorations in Diversifying Engineering Faculty Initiative (EDEFI), as well as the Institute in Critical Quantitative and Mixed Methodologies Training for Underrepresented Scholars (ICQCM), with support from the National Science Foundation, the Spencer Foundation, and the WT Grant Foundation. Links to learn more about Dr. McGee’s work
Personal Website: https://www.ebonymcgeephd.com/
Visit the R-RIGHTS website at https://r-rights.org/
Visit the ICQCM website at https://www.icqcm.org/
LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebony-mcgee-b0328211/
(1) Ebony O. McGee, Plottin 4A Black STEM Revolution (@RelationshipGAP) / X (twitter.com)
Twitter: @Relationshipgap
Karen Colbert
Title: Data Sovereignty by Design: Advancing Computational Literacy and AI Education in Tribal College Communities
Abstract
AI Education that is accessible, must be centered on information and data sovereignty when working in the tribal college community. Exploring one perspective from the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College (KBOCC), Colbert will discuss how weaving computational literacy and the promotion of data sovereignty into the development of educational tools using frameworks that align with Indigenous cultural values must be done in an intentional manner. Through sharing a case study, Colbert will discuss how students at KBOCC are empowered with tools to become the next data storytellers and how faculty can align their curriculum using AI tools to address the diverse needs of adult learners.
Biography
Karen Colbert is an educator, data scientist, and advocate for STEM equity within the Tribal College and University Community (TCU). As the General Education Department Chair and Lead Math Faculty at Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, she has dedicated her career to bridging the gap in STEM education by implementing decolonized teaching practices and fostering computational literacy in the math classroom. With a passion for promoting data sovereignty and storytelling, she empowers the tribal college community to reclaim their narrative and elevate Indigenous voices within the research community.