Join us to take part in an engaging discussion about the intersection of technology and ethics!
In an age of self-driving cars, high-profile hacking of corporate databases, endless mobile apps, and the “Internet of Things,” there are a number of ethical questions surrounding technological innovation both globally and right here in Pittsburgh. What ethical responsibilities do we have for the technologies we create? What are the unintended consequences of technology? Does technology help everyone equally? How can we anticipate the answers to these questions?
In this panel discussion, experts from a variety of fields will be sharing their knowledge, viewpoints, and experiences. The discussion will be moderated by Kayla Booth, a Visiting Assistant Professor at the School of Computing and Information at the University of Pittsburgh.
Our panelists represent various industries backgrounds and have experiences in different roles:
Kayla Booth (moderator), Visiting Assistant Professor at the School of Computing and Information at the University of Pittsburgh.
Kayla’s research explores the relationships between marginalized communities, tech, and health. Currently finishing up her PhD at the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) at Penn State University, her dissertation explores how diverse teens assess the quality of fitness information on social media. She teaches several courses, including “Gender and Technology,” which explores diversity across IT producers (people in the IT workforce) and IT users (people who use or interact with technology). She is also the Assistant Director for the iSchool Inclusion Institute (i3), which is a research and leadership program that prepares undergraduate students from underrepresented populations for graduate study and careers in the information sciences.
Courtney Ehrlichman, Traffic21 Institute & Mobility21 UTC at CMU and Founder of RoadBotics.
A thought leader in the transportation technology space, Courtney believes intelligent deployment and integration of technology solutions will disrupt and transform the transportation industry and urban fabric that we know today. Currently, she shares time between roles as the Deputy Executive Director of the Traffic 21 Institute and Mobility21 National USDOT University Transportation Center at Carnegie Mellon University, and as the Founder and Advisor of RoadBotics, a CMU Robotics Institute spin-off. She also serves on the Leadership Circle and the Legislative Rapid Response Team of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, as well as on the board of the Intelligent Transportation Society of Pennsylvania, and is a founding board member of the Women’s Transportation Seminar Pittsburgh Chapter.
Hannah Du Plessis, Principal Fit Associates; Adjunct Professor, SVA MFA in Design for Social Innovation and CMU School of Design.
Hannah is a pioneer in the field of “Design for Social Innovation” where she uses methods from the arts, design, coaching and facilitation to help people become and create the world they wish to live in. This blend developed through experience in community leadership in South Africa, design leadership, and consulting experience in the U.S., Europe and Africa, and a continual exploration of the creative process. She holds a Masters in Design Methodology from IIT, a degree in interior design, and a diploma in fine arts.
David Passavant is head of innovation for PNC and the CEO of numo- a PNC subsidiary that creates tech startups. David’s group leads efforts to bring innovative business and technology thinking into PNC.
David has previously held positions at two billion-dollar Silicon Valley startups, Deem and SquareTrade Inc.
Prior to his startup work David held consulting positions with Accenture and boutique consultancy Stone Yamashita Partners.
David holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Business Administration from Washington & Lee University and an MBA from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University.
Josué Batista is a Senior Integration and Strategy Consultant at HM Health Solutions (HMHS), a subsidiary of Highmark Health, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Josué has been a business and technology strategist and thought leader for more than 20 years and during that time has provided guidance and expertise on diverse multi-million dollar strategic investments.
Josué is a Distinguished Toastmaster and he has been a featured writer, speaker and panelist at several national and international conferences in the fields of business and technology architecture. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Information Systems, both degrees from Duquesne University.
Along with his wife and fellow Distinguished Toastmaster, Dr. Hollis R. Batista, they own a management consulting practice and are award-winning artisan winemaker with a passionate fondness for Pennsylvania grown grapes.
Susanne Mueller, Product Owner at Rhiza, a Nielsen Company
Susanne Mueller is an engaged member of the Pittsburgh tech community. She has worked with RedChairPGH and the Pittsburgh Technology Council on making the industry more inclusive and diverse with her panel series, OpenUp.FixIt. Susanne advocates for a society that embraces change and new technologies openly and makes sure everyone can participate regardless of age, gender and economic, ethnic or religious background.
Alloy 26
100 S Commons Suite 102,
Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (map)
Parking: There is a garage in Nova Place with a special flat rate of $5 for events happening after 4pm (Gate 4, Middle B Level allows for the easiest access to Alloy 26) and there is on-street parking available, also.
The agenda for the event will be as follows:
6-6:30pm Registration and networking
6:30-7:30pm Panel Discussion followed by Q&A from the audience
7:30-8pm Reflection and networking
Light appetizers and soft drinks will be provided.
Event Contact:
Laura Faust, laura.faust@pyp.org
