B Cavello

I've seen people criticize the AICPA and state societies for not taking political positions. The first segment of this podcast describes the impact of a scientific journal taking a "social justice" position and how it impacts the trust in science. As accountants and auditors we are seen as the "arbiters of truth" and I am glad that our professional associations are not putting our position as the most trusted profession at risk. #transformaccounting https://lnkd.in/gGF-MDQi

6

1 Comment

Great work Software.org: the BSA Foundation connecting Capitol Hill staff with the experts working to develop these technologies. No better way to learn about some of the implications of AI and its impact across the economy than hearing firsthand from those working within the industry!   A big thanks to our Software.org supporters, Gideon Lett, and Lilia Stone for a fantastic program. #ai #software #techpolicy #globalpolicy

35

Health x Climate: I have spent a lot of time thinking about the intersection of climate and health, so I appreciated the City Futures: HealthTech and ClimateTech Intersections panel discussion during NY Tech Week, with Ben Furnas, Sara Holoubek, and Joel Cesare as panelists. They highlighted the work happening in NYC; even though subway use helps our GHG emissions, there is still opportunity to prepare the city and electrify our buildings for the changes to come. Some key takeaways 🔄 Health + Climate: The effects of climate change impact our health and our health decisions impact climate change. We often think about climate and health in silos but they are very connected.  🔥 Heat waves: Hotter temperatures are the biggest risk to health from climate change, so we must prepare now. I learned about NYC's AC giveaway to support vulnerable communities.  🤓 New ideas: There is much opportunity to engage in mental cross training and leverage learnings from analogous spaces and industries at this intersection. What do you think about the intersection of health and climate? A big thanks to Climate Health Innovation & Learning Lab, Women in Healthtech and Fenwick for hosting this event and showcasing how government, innovators, and investors can work together to address these challenges. Thanks Oriana Fuentes and Chethan Sarabu, MD, FAMIA, FAAP for your thoughtful curation too! #climate #healthtech #innovation #NYtechweek

49

3 Comments

How do you tackle disability bias in technology. Start with disability data! New report from Center for Democracy & Technology authored by Ariana Aboulafia, Miranda Bogen and Bonnielin Swenor on the importance of disability data, to impact disability bias in technology. Especially relevant for anyone working on AI right now. "Disability rights and disability justice activists have a long history of fighting against discrimination that impacts disabled people. While technology-facilitated disability discrimination may be newer forms of older injustices, it is not going anywhere. Indeed, as technologies – algorithmic and otherwise – continue to become incorporated into everyday life, and as people with disabilities interact with them more and more, disparate and problematic effects will only increase, both in frequency and in severity." They identify ways data sets may "exclude, inaccurately count, or be non-representative of disabled people." with some really clear recommendations: ⚫Collect disability data where other demographic data is collected. ⚫Be respectful of personal and data privacy when collecting and storing. ⚫Develop new methods of both defining disability and collecting disability data.  ⚫Practitioners should embrace a growth mindset around disability data.  ⚫People with disabilities should be included in the creation, deployment, procurement, and auditing of all technologies.  ⚫Disabled people – particularly disabled leaders and those with technology, disability rights, or disability justice expertise – should be centered in the creation and implementation of technology and AI policies.  ⚫Data should be collected and stored in ways that are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Lots more. Thank you for leading the way, CDT, Ariana Aboulafia, Miranda Bogen and Bonnielin Swenor. Read 👇: Report from CDT: https://lnkd.in/gGracxcE Forbes article by Gus Alexiou: https://lnkd.in/gNkA5Eax #accessibility #AI #disability #DisabilityDataDesert #Bias

340

20 Comments

As UX professionals, we often overlook rural populations in our research. But these communities offer unique insights that can lead to more inclusive and accessible products. I am so excited to share insights from this article I co-authored with my colleague Danielle G. at Ipsos North America. We've explored the unique challenges and opportunities in conducting UX research with rural populations. Check out our piece to learn how we can create more equitable designs that serve all users, regardless of their location! What strategies have you used to reach underserved populations in your UX research? Share your experiences below! 😊 #uxresearch #inclusivedesign #ruralcommunities #userexperience https://lnkd.in/gTBsBifT

18

🚀 Exciting announcement for all impact entrepreneurs! Applications are officially open for the Flagship Fellowship, powered by Watson Institute! 🌟 This fellowship is tailored for impact-driven entrepreneurs eager to achieve product-market fit and scale their ventures. 🌍 Over a transformative 16-week journey, participants will experience an in-person Immersive in Boulder, Colorado, followed by virtual programming packed with award-winning training, committed mentorship, and a global community of peers and changemakers. 💼💡 Entrepreneurs will also have the opportunity to lead a Basecamp session in their local community and showcase their progress at a culminating Summit event. 💰 Venture development stipends will be awarded to select Flagship Fellows based on their impact and progress throughout the Fellowship. 🌟 Apply now and shape the future: https://lnkd.in/dE9-wK7c   Priority Deadline: June 1st. Preference will be given to entrepreneurs in the USA, China, Mexico, East Africa, Brazil and Johor Bahru, Malaysia. #Entrepreneurship #Impact #GlobalNetwork #Mentorship #FlagshipFellowship 🌍

3

It was great to team up again with Vijeth Iyengar, Ph.D. and revisit some of the issues we highlighted over 5 years ago in a report from the White House National Science and Technology Council, Emerging Technologies to Support an Aging Population (https://lnkd.in/eAKCXcpd). At that time, #AI was primarily looked at through a machine learning lens as a means to provide insight into data (including sensor data). While that report focused broadly on technology as an enabler of functional capabilities critical to people as they age, it presciently called out AI’s potential to enhance medication management, communication (through real-time translation), and assessments of individual well-being through sensor and other data—applications that all exist today. It also called out the need for representative data for this population, highlighted the need for continuous evaluation of new technologies, and noted the importance of addressing caregiver needs too, among other cross-cutting challenges. The state of #AI enabled technology has certainly changed a little (!) since that report was started (during the Obama administration). But many of the challenges to ensuring that technology benefits aging populations remain. Join me, Michael Philips, Johanna Shelton, and Raul Brens Jr, PhD on Wednesday as we discuss a new Atlantic Council GeoTech Center report by Caroline Thompson on digital inclusion for aging populations in the age of #GenAI.

9

2 Comments

🚨🚀 Cities are beginning to recognize the vast potential of #generativeAI to enhance public services. This includes applications in areas like public safety and #citizenengagement. The integration of GenAI could lead to more efficient and effective governments, improving the quality of life for residents by streamlining services and making data-driven decisions. ...However, before diving into the deployment of GenAI, cities are focusing on establishing robust ethical frameworks to guide its use. This includes prioritizing transparency, accountability, and privacy. Ethical governance frameworks are essential to ensure that AI technologies are used responsibly and do not infringe on individual rights or exacerbate existing inequalities. Generative AI holds great promise for transforming how cities operate and serve their residents. However, its deployment must be guided by strong governance principles to ensure that it enhances rather than disrupts urban life. By focusing on ethical frameworks, transparency, and global cooperation, cities can harness the power of GenAI while mitigating potential risks. Read More ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eCjtitG4 Melanie Holmes | Nancy McNee Newell | Mohammad J Sear | Charlotte S. Lee | Beth Archibald Martin | Luis Adrian Salazar | Krista Kinnard | Airis McCottry Gill | Elizabeth C. | Braden Kelley | James Hanson | Lawrence Eta | Jonathan Benett | Gary Danoff | Robert Shea | Yoko Nakai | Aubrey Gainfort | R "Ray" Wang | Chris Traylor | Scott J. | Matthew Rose | Kelly Olson | Steve Tout, MBA | William D Eggers | Andrew Bowman | Mark Minevich | Katy Ruckle | Amanda Crawford | Jim Weaver | Jose Arrieta | Erika Flowers | Todd Underwood | Bobby Holland | Candace Williams MBA, CCISO, CISA, CISM | Matthew Thompson | Dustin Haisler | Teri Takai | Jeff Shultz | Jordan Burris | Ivan Anderson

22

2 Comments

In a new piece for Washington Center for Equitable Growth, I reflect on #generative AI, US workers and the future of work. "Recent history shows that unmitigated technological advancement can exacerbate inequality and cause lasting pain for workers and their communities. Whether generative AI in U.S. workplaces lives up to its potential to unlock new possibilities for U.S. workers and spread shared prosperity will depend on the ability of workers to shape it." https://lnkd.in/gBCw8-Nx

24

2 Comments

This week the Senate AI Working Group released its bipartisan report which includes recommendations for addressing the burgeoning AI landscape. The report is a first step in putting in place proper guardrails for technologies that determine whether we can secure housing, access credit, be gainfully employed, or get medical treatment. But Congress must act swiftly and even go beyond the recommendations highlighted in the report. Congress must: ✔ Provide adequate funding to support civil rights groups tackling societal and economic harms generated by irresponsible & biased AI. ✔ Require regular monitoring and auditing of all automated systems and set higher thresholds for high-risk systems. ✔ Shore up civil and human rights protections to close loopholes in existing laws. ✔ Prioritize the adoption of responsible AI principles, particularly those aimed at fostering fairness and trustworthiness in AI systems. ✔ Adopt a framework that compels entities to search for Less Discriminatory Algorithms. ✔ Promote efforts to increase Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the tech sector. ✔ Ensure entities provide a human alternative when models poorly serve people and communities. Read the statement from the National Fair Housing Alliance here - https://lnkd.in/ePFAZsQz

19

1 Comment

I am thrilled to share our latest blog, authored by the amazing Priyanka Surio MPH, PMP, CHES, which speaks to the importance of using data-driven approaches to address the intersection of climate and health. The influence of environmental risk factors on how we live, grow, learn, and age is indisputable. Let's keep collaborating to refine the systems that collect, manage, use, and govern this type of information so we can truly improve whole-person outcomes. #digitaltransformation #EDOH

9

1 Comment

How are you using #AI in health communication?

6

An important read in Stanford Social Innovation Review reminds us that for AI to serve marginalized communities genuinely, we must not only imagine their needs but directly engage with these communities, learning about the real-world impacts of our designs. As I shared with my class last night, Perspective-taking assumes; perspective-getting understands. #GenerativeAI has tremendous power, but without intentionally inclusive design, it risks widening existing inequities. Inclusive design isn’t a box to check once development is underway—it must be embedded from the start in discovery and system requirements. This responsibility rests largely on us- the partners, the consultants, the system implementers. It’s not someone else’s job, but ours, to ensure that the systems we build uplift rather than exclude. Check it out! "Inclusivity in Generative AI Should Be an Attribute, Not an Add-On" https://lnkd.in/eCjGkbMj #InclusiveAI #PerspectiveGetting #EthicalTech #DEIinAI #GenerativeAI

24

I highly recommend this discussion between Amy Webb and Brene Brown about responding to our current environment. Some takeaways: ✍️ we're going through a "super cycle" of change right now: AI, wearables and biotechnology. It means the volume and speed of change may feel unmanageable. ✍️ we need leaders who can "drive into the skid" - i.e. when you drive on ice and start to skid, you need to avoid the kneejerk reaction which is to slam on the brakes. Instead, you need to drive into the skid. An Aussie equivalent would be to swim with the current if you get caught in a rip rather than fighting it. ✍️ a key skill for leaders is to cultivate our ability to respond calmly, even when faced with seemingly urgent situations. That will require intentional practice, and may require training. ✍️ the need to nurture organisational cultures of "learn it all" rather than "know it all". I'll always be a work in progress, but this has reinforced my intention to continue to cultivate practices that support me to be fully present, and to carve out time for deep thinking and abstract thought. For me that looks like regular coaching sessions, a daily "square breathing" practice, a return to journalling, and reconnecting with #Gestalt practices through a postgrad learning circle. https://lnkd.in/dcY9k3zr

14

1 Comment

Lots of insightful takeaways in the latest from Stanford Social Innovation Review and authors Michael Brown and Katherine Klein at The Wharton School on #impinv (and in collaboration with members of the Impact Finance Research Consortium, a critical research-driven initiative in our space). Insights from a survey of over 200 impact fund managers includes a treasure trove of data, but a couple of key points stood out: - Contrary to common belief (and a misconception that we can’t seem to squash), impact investors seeking market-rate returns generally reported lower levels of difficulty in achieving their financial goals. Somewhat counterintuitively, impact investors targeting below-market returns found the finding (and executing) of these investments more challenging. - The difficulty that below-market impact investors face may be tied to a more stringent expectation of what impact really is. Market-rate seeking impact investors saw impact and financial factors as intertwined, but often used financial success as a proxy for overall success. In contrast, below-market-rate investors may have a higher bar to clear re impact-only targets. - A potentially effective framework to help juice better impact outcomes is “additionality” (the idea that for impact investing to add value, it must achieve social or environmental outcomes beyond what traditional investors would achieve). This article rightly asks whether - definitionally - impact investing should be harder. In many cases, yes. If the easy answers were already there, the market would have responded. #impinv Dig in for more: https://lnkd.in/gXkXe8bv

36

2 Comments

Thankful to Massachusett’s AI Strategic Taskforce for allowing me to show up uninvited to their Friday working session, and provide an impromptu global POV on their incredibly valuable work. I explained that the global policy imperative around AI (i.e., sovereign AI) is shifting to local governments (States, Cities, Provinces, etc.), which must step up, promote, govern and shape the adoption of safe and inclusive AI within their communities. Community AI is the critical next step, and it requires visionary local leaders like co-chairs, Yvonne Hao, Secretary of Economic Development, and Jason Snyder, State CIO, and MA Governer Maura Healey, who authorized and championed this taskforce. AMD | Liquid AI #togetherweadvance #CommunityAI

145

7 Comments

J-PAL North America recently selected government partners for the 2024-25 Leveraging Evaluation and Evidence for Equitable Recovery (LEVER) Evaluation Incubator cohort. Selected collaborators will receive funding and technical assistance to develop or launch a randomized evaluation for one of their programs. These collaborations represent jurisdictions across the United States and demonstrate the growing enthusiasm for evidence-based policymaking.Launched in 2023, LEVER is a joint venture between J-PAL North America and Results for America. Through the Evaluation Incubator, trainings, and other program offerings, LEVER seeks to address the barriers many state and local governments face a ...

1

If you happen to be thinking “what can I do?” in a politically polarized environment, I encourage you to consider supporting this new organization, Voting Rights Code. It’s a group of data scientists actively using open source data to determine how, for example, to best position ballot drop boxes for maximum accessibility, where to put polling locations so that the greatest number of people have easy access to polls. The ability to cast a ballot should not be a hardship, and using data to drive such decisions should be a no brainer, regardless of your political party.

8