I am available to give presentations on the following topics. Use the CONTACT tab to reach me.
Companion Robots: A Cure for Loneliness?
The desire for companionship is a fundamental human characteristic, yet more than ever before, Americans are living alone. The US Surgeon General has declared that the United States is suffering from an epidemic of loneliness. Meanwhile, the capabilities of social robots are increasing rapidly, and companies are already selling companion robots and avatars. In this talk, I describe the epidemic of loneliness, summarize the development of companion robots and avatars, and forecast how interactions with companion robots will change people.
Algorithmic Bias and Fairness
AI-driven systems are deployed in many domains where consequential decisions need to be made. They have recommended who should be prioritized for preventative health care, who is eligible to receive a loan, and whose neighborhood should be targeted with additional police patrols. Unfortunately, computerized systems operating in these and other domains have been found to be biased. It turns out that creating an unbiased AI-driven system is much easier said than done. In this talk, I provide important examples of AI-driven systems making biased recommendations, discuss the causes of bias in computerized systems, and demonstrate how a system that is considered to be fair according to one reasonable metric may be judged unfair according to another reasonable metric.
The Boeing 737 MAX Tragedy
In 2011 The Boeing Company scrapped its plans to develop a new single-aisle jetliner and instead chose to put larger, more fuel-efficient engines on the venerable Boeing 737. I detail how Boeing engineers and management addressed the engineering challenges that arose from the move to larger engines, and I discuss the responsibility of Boeing, the FAA, the airlines, and the pilots in the two crashes of the Boeing 737 MAX that killed 346 people.
Self-Driving Vehicles: A Cautionary Tale
Elaine Herzberg was the first pedestrian to be killed by a self-driving vehicle. I summarize Uber’s effort to develop an autonomous vehicle, focusing on the engineering and management decisions that contributed to the March 18, 2018, accident. The story of Herzberg’s death illustrates some of the challenges faced by developers of new AI-driven technologies. I conclude by suggesting some practical ways that regulators can help ensure public safety as autonomous vehicles are deployed.
Effective Presentation Techniques
Carefully planned talks and well-designed slides lead to exceptional presentations. I share best practices to follow as well as common mistakes to avoid when developing PowerPoint presentations.