Rutgers University Newark Hosts Artificial Intelligence Conference To Examine Issues of Social Justice and Workforce Development

Rutgers University-Newark is bringing together experts in the fields of computer and information science, human rights, and labor and employment law for a daylong conference on Artificial Intelligence on Monday, Sept. 9. The conference “AI, Justice and Workforce Development” is being underwritten by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The conference is from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sept. 9, at 15 Washington St. in Newark. The conference is co-sponsored by Rutgers University-Newark and Rutgers Law School. Professor Patrick Shafto, the Henry Rutgers Term Chair in Data Science, and professor of mathematics and computer science, is organizing the conference with Fay Cobb Payton of NSF, and Co-Dean David Lopez of Rutgers Law School.
 
The goal of the conference is to bring together diverse scholars from several fields to understand the current trends in machine learning, artificial intelligence and the law and to discuss future implications of those technologies for society. Participants will also address actions that can be taken in Newark and other places to ensure that technologies benefit America’s diverse residents.
Attendance to the conference is free, but guests are asked to register through the AI, Justice and Workforce Development link.

The schedule is as follows:

• 9-9:30 a.m. Breakfast and Opening Remarks
• 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Morning Talks and Panel Speakers
   
  • Ifeoma Ajunwa, asst. professor of labor & employment law, Cornell University, “The Paradox of Automating as Anti-Bias Intervention”
  • Rediet Abebe, Computer Science, Harvard University, “Mechanism Design for Social Good”
  • Solon Barocas, asst. professor of information science, Cornell University, “On Proxies and Fairness”
  • Pauline Kim, professor of law, Washington University in St. Louis, “The New Labor Market Intermediaries”
  • Karl Ricanek, Jr., professor of computer science, UNC-Wilmington, “Why is Face Recognition Hard to Deploy? Systemic Issues with in AI-derived Face Processing”
     
• 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Lunch and Group Discussions
• 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Poster Presentations
• 2:30 to 5 p.m. Afternoon Talks and Panel Speakers
   
  • Nicol Turner-Lee, governance studies fellow, Brookings Institute, “Detecting and Mitigating Online Racial Bias in Machine Learning Algorithms”
  • Andrew Selbst, postdoctoral scholar, Data & Society Research Institute, “Implementing Algorithmic Impact Assessments”
  • Brittny-Jade Saunders, deputy commissioner for strategic initiatives, NYC Commission on Human Rights, “Algorithms and Human Rights: A Local Government Perspective”
  • Michael King, Computer Science, Florida Institute of Technology, “Are Face Recognition Systems Biased Relative to Race and Gender?”
     
• 5 to 5:30 p.m. Wrap-up
• 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Post-Conference Socializing and Discussion at Clement’s Place Jazz Club, first floor of 15 Washington St.

Members of the news media are invited to attend but asked to register with the Office of Communications by emailing kimberlee.williams@rutgers.edu or calling 973-353-5262.