hello, Human.

A framework for AI that leads to successful outcomes includes proper governance, thoughtfully conceived processes based on input from affected stakeholders, and transparency about AI’s role in decision making. Responsible AI represents this comprehensive approach. To achieve it, governments must empower leadership and use AI to enhance human decision making—not replace it. A Responsible AI approach should include regular reviews, integration with standard tools and data models, and a plan for potential lapses.

In today’s episode, host Jon Knisley, long-time technologist helping companies win the market with emerging digital solutions, and series producer Elizabeth Mitelman talk with Kathy McNeill the director of artificial intelligence at the GSA’s Technology Transformation Center of Excellence. Kathy dives into the role of proper governance in AI, automation, and technology in order for tech to remain true to the desired outcome it was originally designed for. She also talks about the challenges she has seen in the industry and her advice for women who want to have a tech career. Kathy also shares why passion and being technically-curious is important and how to be a participant and a life learner in the industry.

GSA: Technology

Jon’s LinkedIn post about the state of Federal RPA Report

FortressIQ 

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Some estimates put the number of unfilled tech jobs at more than one million, yet women hold fewer than 25% of all technology jobs. There are a number of reasons women are under-represented in the sector: gender bias, a lack of information about the potential for STEM careers early in a girl’s education, a shortage of female mentors, company cultures that don’t adequately support women technologists and more. However, the bottom line is that not enough women are pursuing careers in tech. Fortunately, times are changing, and some companies are taking steps to attract more women employees by addressing pay gaps, offering flexible work policies and implementing programs to help women employees thrive.

In today’s episode, host Jon Knisley, long-time technologist helping companies win the market with emerging AI technologies, Grace Chen from FortressIQ, and series producer Elizabeth Mitelman talk with Tripti Sethi, the Senior Director and Global Data & AI COE Lead at Avanade. Grace, Elizabeth, and Tripti discuss Tripti’s career journey, her insights in the future of AI, how businesses can change the industry in a positive way, and her advice for women who want to go into the field of tech and AI. Tripti brings her unique take and expertise in the topics of business and technology and how they go hand-in-hand, as well as her experiences being a woman in the industry.

Avanade

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The next generation of AI-powered products and services has the potential to transform every aspect of the health sector. From accelerated drug discovery through biophysical modeling to improved diagnostic accuracy in medical imaging to smart claims management with self-learning software, no corner of the $10 trillion global health industry will remain untouched. Someday consumer-facing apps may become so advanced that they are able to provide affordable healthcare services to billions of people globally with limited access to traditional services. But these advances do not come without risks, as biases in AI raise ethical concerns and present health risks to patients and financial risks to providers and payers.

Today’s guest is the brilliant Zahra Timsah. Zahra has a multitude of professional and academic achievements including a Masters in MBA, and PhDs in Advanced Molecular Biology and Cancer Biology. Zahra is the lead for AI Governance at MassMutual, the Co-Founder and COO/CTO of Assurance Medication Management, Inc, as well as the CEO of AMCL.

In today’s episode, host Jon Knisley, long-time technologist helping companies win the market with emerging AI technologies, and series producer Elizabeth Mitelman talk with Zahra about the importance of AI in the healthcare industry. They also touch on the ethical risks in having AI advancement in this field, and the best practices to assure that the proper AI governance is in place.

Zahra Timsah (MBA, PhD, MSc, BSc), LinkedIn

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From Fortune 500 stalwarts to Silicon Valley startups, gender equity has been a challenge for generations. But today despite universal agreement that a fix is overdue, not much has been done to actually move the needle. Because the workplace was not designed to value women, we need to change the ways we make decisions and evaluate talent to truly address the problem, and technology can be an accelerator. Using AI and natural language processing, software can identify bias in performance evaluations and point organizations toward making better decisions about promotions and new opportunities for employees. It’s more than just an issue of fairness for companies to act. For every 10% increase in gender equity toward parity, there is a 1% to 2% increase in revenue.

In this episode in our series about women in AI, Katica Roy of Pipeline Equity discusses the topic of gender equity and the necessary changes that need to occur in our mindsets as well as business practices. She discusses specific issues of inequality (including the Motherhood Penalty), by sharing her professional experiences and by comparing statistics from the past few years.

Katica talks about how her experience as a single mother, a first-generation American, and her various professional interactions have molded her vision of equality within the workplace. Our discussion also touches on Pipeline Equity, the 2020 Retrospective Report, and the trends that Katica has seen in the labor force participation rate of women. Women throughout history have seen sexism in the workforce, whether it has to do with opportunities, differences in pay, or in direct treatment. Katica and Pipeline Equity work hard to make sure that these current trends and statistics are coming to light because having the conversation is the first step to fixing the problem.

Pipeline Equity

Katica Roy official website

The 2021 Gender Retrospective

Katica Roy LinkedIn

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Today’s guest on hello, Human is global citizen Beatrice Zatorska, the CEO & Cofounder Smart Tribe. Smart Tribe is a platform where people from the world of academia and experts in the industry world can come together in order to collaborate. Collaboration is just the starting point when it comes to solving solutions. This is one of the reasons why open office settings work so well. People in different fields and from different departments can get together to offer new insights and perspectives on problems.

In today’s episode, host and long-time technologist, Jon Knisley, and series producer Elizabeth Mitelman talk with Beatrice Zatorska about the importance of building an impactful network between your work, life, and career and how building that network is attainable for everyone, not just for the outgoing. Beatrice also talks about her vision and goal for Smart Tribe, her advice for the next generation of women in AI and tech, and how her eclectic background has helped her develop Smart Tribe.

Building and developing a high-impact network is a critical factor in long-term professional success. It is even more important in today's hyper-connected world. Networking success requires equal parts of will and skill. Contrary to popular opinion, an outsized personality is not a requirement. With practice and persistence, anyone can build and benefit from a high-impact network. Smart Tribe is a company that understands the value of a network. They have developed and use an AI-enabled platform to connect academia and industry to help address one another's crucial problems while breaking down silos.

Smart Tribe

“How Leaders Create and Use Networks” by Herminia Ibarra and Mark Lee Hunter, Harvard Business Review

FortressIQ 

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Today’s episode is the next installment in our series about women in AI. Our guest today is Preeti Adhikary, Master of Advanced Management student at Yale University (Former Director, AI & Marketing Lead at Emergents at Weild & Co., Former VP of Marketing, Fusemachines Inc.). In addition to her association with the Tsai CITY (Center for Innovative Thinking) at Yale, she is also an advisor for the Women in AI group.

In today’s episode, host Jon Knisley, long-time technologist helping companies win the market with emerging AI technologies, and series producer Elizabeth Mitelman talk with Preeti about how critical it is to address the challenges in the industry, in order for the industry to be successful. Preeti talks about what we can do to change the narrative. She also talks about the importance of having people in the industry who do not have a technical background.

In the fast paced world of technology, there are various ways to leverage AI and technology for the social good. Yet, it is critical to address the misconceptions and challenges in AI when doing so. Conquering the challenges created by AI, as well as learning how to use those challenges as a motivator can create strong passion for CSR and social justice initiatives. At the end of the day, visibility and awareness of these issues, and how to address this is how we can use technology and AI for the greater good.

Tsai CITY

Women in AI

Fuse Machines

FortressIQ 

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For leaders, the promise of AI needs to be offset by an understanding of the risks. A lack of diversity and the inherent bias in technology influences many critical decisions around health, education, the workplace and society in general. It's not the fundamental technology that's racist or sexist, but the data on which we train the algorithms or the unconscious biases and prejudices of the developers. Battling these biases within and beyond the workplace includes addressing workplace equity and essential diversity and inclusion programs and initiatives. Beyond the world of HR and technology, one path to battling biases involves building awareness at a young age or through professional mentorship. 

In today’s episode, Fortress IQ’s founder and CEO Pankaj Chowdhry and series producer Elizabeth Mitelman talk with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lead at Google Sherika Ekpo about the unique challenges, impact of racism and sexism on society, and successful approaches for tackling bias in AI. 

Sherika Ekpo’s Official Website

FortressIQ 

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In celebration of International Women’s Day, FortressIQ and hello, Human will be honoring and applauding women who are successfully navigating the predominantly male-centered field of AI and within the field of technology. 

Starting on March 8th, we will be starting a nine episode series featuring inspiring women, in hopes that this will open up conversations about pushing boundaries, breaking stereotypes, and with the aim of advising and encouraging the next generation of women in AI and tech.

Join Vice President of Marketing Christine Flahaux and host John Knisley this season, with other members of the FortressIQ executive team—Pankaj Chowdhry, our Founder/CEO; Grace Chen, our Chief-of-Staff; as well as two rising female leaders on my own team, Sarah Kemp and Elizabeth Mitelman.

We hope you will enjoy this series as much as we do. 

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Today's guest is Ben Nabulsi, a process data scientist at Dentsu. Host Jon Knisley, long-time technologist helping companies win the market with emerging AI technologies, talks with Ben about how we can elevate human potential with innovative automation. They answer your questions about the integration of this powerful new technology with companies and how it can help them reach their corporate goals and greatest potential. 

Dentsu is one of the largest global advertising firms in the world. Because of Ben’s position as a process data scientist, he is able to sit in a front row seat as Dentsu’s innovative automation has had a positive effect on the workforce. Ben agrees that developing an AI and automation strategy is essential to the success of any modern business.

Every company, no matter what size, knows that in order to remain competitive, you have to embrace change. Most transformation programs in the last decade have focused on customer experience, but today, indicators suggest the emphasis moving forward will shift toward back-office operational excellence. FortressIQ customer dentsu is a company that thrives on innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit, which powers its Automation Center of Excellence and that team’s mission to elevate human potential across the organization.

Dentsu: Champions for Meaningful Progress

FortressIQ 

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Today's guest is Scott Klososky, the founding partner of Future Point of View and creator of Humalogy. Host Jon Knisley, long-time technologist helping companies win the market with emerging AI technologies, talks with Scott about the transition to automation, and working alongside AI and automation. They also talk about how the pandemic has disrupted Scott’s process (as a consultant), and how humalogy principles should be utilized because of the shift to virtual work environments.

For years the promise of technology has been the ability to produce a more productive workforce. The challenge however is that while technology may improve productivity and efficiency by automating routine tasks, today it does not embody or transfer the human conditions necessary for building interpersonal relationships. 

Humanizing technology is still in its infancy therefore when trying to maximize efficiency and develop connectedness, there's a careful balance that must be struck. To that end, Humalogy examines blending available technologies with human effort to maximize performance and potential. 

Scott Klososky is an international speaker, futurist, author of four books, as well as an entrepreneur who has started five successful companies.

The Digital Optimist

Singularity.FM

In Machines We Trust

Future Thinkers

The Trailblazers Podcast with Walter Isaacson

FortressIQ 

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