Discussion on "The Equality Machine" featuring Orly Lobel scheduled
On November 8, 2022, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (EST), the Center for Data Innovation will host a conversation about the role of digital technology in addressing global issues and promoting equality. The event will feature Orly Lobel, author of the book The Equality Machine, and Daniel Castro, the Director of the Center for Data Innovation, who will act as the moderator.
In her book, Lobel argues that digital technology, particularly AI and algorithms, can be harnessed to advance equality and address challenges like climate change, poverty, literacy, health, safety, and accessibility by detecting discrimination, correcting historical exclusions, and subverting stereotypes.
Lobel provides specific examples from health care where technology has improved equality. AI-powered algorithms automate diabetes care and early detection of diseases like breast cancer, enabling more accurate, affordable, and scalable medical interventions worldwide, including in resource-scarce countries. This demonstrates digital tools can increase accessibility and lower costs, directly tackling health disparities.
Beyond health care, Lobel highlights that digital technology’s comparative advantage lies in its ability to identify and reduce systemic biases, foster inclusion, improve safety and literacy, and enhance climate action. Her work calls for active human engagement and governance to ensure technology serves fairness rather than reinforcing inequality.
The conversation will revolve around Lobel's book and its themes, harnessing technology for good and exploring the potential benefits of technology for societal issues, without advocating for stopping technological development or criticizing big data and automation. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions for the speakers online.
The Equality Machine emphasizes that though technology has risks, its development cannot be stopped; instead, we must steer it toward core human values for fairness and inclusion. The conversation promises to be an insightful exploration of this topic, shedding light on the ways digital technology can help create a more just and inclusive future at a global scale.
References: - Harvard Kennedy School Library summary of The Equality Machine by Orly Lobel [2] - YouTube interview with Orly Lobel discussing health applications [1] - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy on algorithmic fairness referencing Lobel [3]
On November 8, 2022, at the Center for Data Innovation, Orly Lobel, author of "The Equality Machine," and Daniel Castro, the Director, will discuss technology's role in global issues and promoting equality. Lobel's book argues that AI and algorithms, part of data-and-cloud-computing, can address challenges such as climate change, poverty, and health disparities.
In healthcare, digital technology, including AI-powered algorithms, improves equality by automating diabetes care and early detection of diseases like breast cancer, making medical interventions more accessible and affordable. Lobel advocates that AI can reduce systemic biases and promote inclusion, enhance safety, and support climate action.
The conversation will focus on harnessing technology for good, exploring its potential benefits for societal issues, without criticizing big data and automation. Attendees can ask questions online, and Lobel's book emphasizes the need for human engagement to steer technology toward fairness and inclusion.
"The Equality Machine" sheds light on the benefits of technology for fostering a more just and inclusive future, acknowledging its risks while encouraging development guided by core human values. Relevant references include the Harvard Kennedy School Library summary, a YouTube interview, and the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
Finally, technology in education-and-self-development and entertainment will also be open for discussion, showcasing how digital tools can foster learning and promote equality on a global scale.
