A message from Van Williams, proud sponsor of the UC Womxn in Tech Speaker Series

February 26, 2024

Inspire Inclusion

Colleagues,

The UC Womxn in Tech committee virtual speaker series kicks off next week! We’ve scheduled two amazing speakers in celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (IWD). Both discussions will focus on this year’s IWD theme, Inspiring InclusionIn the spirit of the theme, these events are open to all. 

A Message from Our Sponsor: Van Williams

Van Williams screen shot of video

Van Williams, University of California CIO and vice president of Information Technology Services, has registered to attend both sessions and invites you to do the same!

Watch his video on the importance of supporting UC WIT and the role each of us plays in helping to build and advocate for a more inclusive and diverse tech industry.

Register by Friday, March 1

Beyond the Hype: Unraveling the Myths, Realities & Governance of AI

Brandie M. Nonnecke, Ph.D. | Monday, March 4 | 2-3  p.m.

Join Brandie Nonnecke, Ph.D., director of the CITRIS Policy Lab and associate research professor at the Goldman School of Public Policy in navigating the intricate landscape of AI, from its basic forms, such as narrow AI focused on specific tasks, to the aspirational concepts of generative AI that can be applied in various domains. Her talk will cover the latest developments in AI, highlighting how these innovations are reshaping industries and everyday life and the ethical and societal implications. We’ll explore strategies, including legal mechanisms, to harness the benefits of AI while mitigating its risks. This presentation aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of AI, cutting through the hype to reveal its actual potential and limitations, and preparing attendees for the nuanced reality of an AI-integrated future. It's a must-attend for anyone keen to grasp the multifaceted nature of AI and its profound implications in our world. Register | Read bio | Visit website

Data Feminism: A Feminist Lens on Ethics, Diversity & Justice in AI & Data Science

Dr. Lauren F. Klein | Thursday, March 7 | 12-1 p.m.Dr. Klein is Winship Distinguished Research Professor and Associate Professor in the departments of Quantitative Theory & Methods and English at Emory University, where she also directs the Digital Humanities Lab. Her book Data Feminism (MIT Press, 2020), co-authored with Catherine D’Ignazio, established a set of seven principles for doing more just and equitable data science that was informed by intersectional feminist thought. How can those principles be applied to the current conversation about AI, its present harms, and future possibilities? This talk will briefly summarize the principles of Data Feminism before moving to a set of examples that show how they can be applied–and extended–to our current technological landscape. Register | Read bio | Visit website

About IWD & Women’s History Month

International Women’s Day (IWD), March 8, is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. The first IWD gathering was in 1911, and was supported by over a million people. In 1995, March was designated asWomen’s History Month, a time to honor women’s achievements throughout American history and celebrate women's contributions across various fields - including IT. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group, or organization-specific. 

“For International Women's Day 2024 and beyond, let's Inspire Inclusion. When we inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment. The aim of the IWD 2024 #InspireInclusion campaign is to collectively forge a more inclusive world for women.”

Join the conversation on Slack @women_in_tech. These events were made possible through generous support and partnership with Van Williams, VP of ITS and CIO of UC. We hope to see you there!

Warm regards,

UC WIT Women’s Month Planning Committee

Inspire Inclusion

Learn more:International Women’s Day | Women’s History Month