100S8 | Technically Wrong: Sexist Apps, Biased Algorithms, and Other Threats of Toxic Tech

Facial recognition block image.

The tech industry promises to improve our everyday lives by making things faster, easier, and better. Whatever you need, there’s an app for that. But does the tech industry really deliver on its promise to make lives better? In our daily interactions with software, we seldom think about the bias, oversights, and ethical nightmares embedded in many tech products. In this seminar we’ll explore how we got here by examining factors that shape the tech industry and how technology industry impacts society. Whether you’re an aspiring software developer or an avid tech consumer, this seminar will encourage you to critically examine technology, its impact on users, and how the industry can be more inclusive.

Compassion through Computation: Fighting Algorithmic Bias.

 

Photo of Jessica Zeitz, Associate Professor of Computer Science

Jessica Zeitz, Associate Professor of Computer Science

The University of Mary Washington has been a part of me for over 20 years. I completed my undergraduate degree in computer science learning from the wonderful faculty I now teach alongside today. My graduate degrees are also in computer science from Virginia Tech. The close-knit community of Mary Washington drew me back and I love to support students in finding their own paths just as my mentors did. I have been teaching at UMW for 10 years and offer courses in computer programming, object-oriented design, databases, data science and human-computer interaction. My research and passions focus on human-computer interaction, inclusivity and accessibility. Computer science is not all about coding and I strive to introduce students to the creative, subjective and diverse nature of the field.