Session: 18-01-03: AI Implementation in Industry - II

Paper Number: 151042

151042 - Artificial Intelligence Implementation and Challenges in Industry 

AI is here to stay, but what does that mean for engineers?
AI is no longer a futuristic concept, but a reality that's transforming industries and revolutionizing the way we live. As engineers, it's essential to acknowledge the profound impact of AI on society and take collective responsibility to ensure its benefits are equitably distributed. 

Moderated by an engineer, this panel convenes experts from activism, law and policy to explore the intricate intersection of AI and society. Whether you're an AI veteran or a rookie or occasionally use AI on your cellphone, insights from this discussion hope to serve as a call to action to advocate for full inclusion of society in the development and deployment of AI. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into effective strategies for advocating with employers, educational institutions, and policymakers to address the systemic barriers and biases that perpetuate disparities in AI. Through examples you will take away best practices to communicate effectively and collaborate multi-disciplinarily, recognizing that AI's implications extend beyond technical realms. This interdisciplinary dialogue will provide an understanding of the collective responsibility to harness AI for the greater good, equipping you with strategies to do so inclusively.

1. Comprehensive Understanding of Responsible AI:
    - Recognize the significance of multi-disciplinary perspectives in shaping Responsible AI principles
    - Understand the importance of collaborative definitions and principles in ensuring AI benefits society
    - Learn how recent advancements in emerging tech necessitate a reevaluation of Responsible AI frameworks

2. Effective Advocacy for Responsible AI:
    - Understand the crucial role of advocacy in promoting Responsible AI development and deployment
    - Learn strategies for effective communication with employers, educational institutions, and policymakers
    - Recognize the importance of addressing systemic barriers and biases in AI, even if you're not an AI developer

3. Broader Societal Implications of AI:
    - Gain insights from social scientists, policymakers, lawyers, and activists on AI's far-reaching societal implications
    - Explore recent examples of AI's challenges and threats beyond technical realms, including:
        - Ethical considerations
        - Social justice concerns
        - Economic impacts
        - Environmental effects

By achieving these outcomes, attendees will be equipped with a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between AI, society, and technology, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the development of Responsible AI that benefits all. This interdisciplinary dialogue will thus provide a comprehensive understanding of the collective responsibility to harness AI for the greater good. By recognizing AI's implications beyond technical realms, attendees will be equipped with strategies to promote inclusive and equitable AI development and deployment. By exploring the intersection of AI and society, this panel hopes to inspire engineers and non-technical stakeholders to take action, promoting Responsible AI that benefits all segments of society. Join us to discover how collective action can shape a more inclusive and equitable AI-driven future.

Presenting Author: Columbia Mishra ASME

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Columbia Mishra is an experienced engineering leader with over 17 years’ track record in systems engineering and program management in diverse technology sectors, including Intel Corporation, Apple Inc, Stress Engineering Services, Makino Asia in Singapore, and Tata Motors in India. Most recently, she was a Program Chief Engineer and Systems Engineering Manager at Maxar Technologies, overseeing 4 commercial satellite programs and developing next-generation spacecraft for a range of missions including the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) spacecraft for NASA’s Artemis mission to the moon. Columbia is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the Global Space Industry Trade Association (GSITA) dedicated to providing underrepresented communities access to workforce development in the space industry.

Dr. Mishra has a deep knowledge of thermal fluids systems, consumer electronics and spacecraft engineering. Her research has been published in journals such as Nature Materials, Journal of Fluid Mechanics. She won the prestigious Qualcomm Innovation Fellowship and holds 6 patents pending, 2 granted for her work in thermal architecture and innovation in electronic systems.

Dr. Mishra is a distinguished speaker who appears at multiple global forums on the science of spacecraft engineering. Currently, she mentors first-generation high school students and early-career engineers globally. She also serves as the industry advisor to the Carnegie Mellon University Rocket Command club.

Columbia is highly involved with the technical community and has served on the CTO Technology Advisory Council of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE). She also serves on the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Technical and Engineering Committees Council, overseeing all ASME publications, technical divisions, research committees, and technology groups. Dr. Mishra has held several leadership roles within ASME, including technical program chair for its 2020 Summer Heat Transfer Conference. She was one of 10 engineers selected globally for ASME’s prestigious Early Career Leadership Intern Program to Serve Engineering (ECLIPSE), and she received the ASME inaugural 2020 Lakshmi Singh Early Career Leadership Award for her leadership and service.

The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) inducted her into its Mechanical Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni in 2022 for her contributions to mechanical engineering. Dr. Mishra was elected an ASME Fellow in 2023.

Dr. Mishra received the Cockrell School of Engineering Student Leadership Award for her contributions as the first international graduate student body president, representing 13,000 students to the university administration, UT System Board of Regents, city of Austin, and Texas Legislature. She advocated for graduate student policies in the Texas Legislature and the U.S. Congress, and continues to work with members of Congress to advance technology policies.

Dr. Mishra holds three degrees in Mechanical Engineering, a Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin, an M.S. from Texas Tech University, and a B.S. from Jadavpur University in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Dr. Mishra holds the title of Miss Asia California Global 2020 and Miss India Oregon 2019. She uses her platform in the pageant industry to raise awareness about social issues, including women’s representation in STEM. She lives in Hayward, California, with her husband, Dr. Philip Gach. In her free time, she enjoys music, flying Cessnas, and traveling.

Authors:

Victoria Kuketz Catalyst
Leslie Salgado University of Calgary
Tammy Mackenzie PolyAula
Adebimpe Daniells Amazon
Columbia Mishra ASME
Sreyoshi Bhaduri Amazon