Decoding AI
In this AI era, humans are challenged by its complexities, limitations, and impact on our work and life. This panel of experts dives into what’s coming and the impact on how we work, learn, and live. Join our panel discussion to hear their insights into the opportunities, risks, and ethical implications surrounding AI.
Experience the Event
In this AI era, humans are challenged by its complexities, limitations, and impact on our work and life. This panel of experts dives into what’s coming and the impact on how we work, learn, and live. Join our panel discussion to hear their insights into the opportunities, risks, and ethical implications surrounding AI.
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Jeff Rhoads
Vice President for Research
Nitesh Chawla
Founding Director of the Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society
Nick Fehring ’01, ’01 MBA
Vice President and Controller for IBM
Thom Kenney ’05 MBA
Google’s Director of AI and Digital Transformation for the Public Sector
Yong Lee
Program Chair in Technology Ethics and Associate Professor of Technology, Economy, and Global Affairs
Meet the Moderator: Jeff Rhoads
Jeffrey F. (Jeff) Rhoads was appointed vice president for research in 2023. In this role, he has oversight for all of Notre Dame’s research infrastructure, including supporting programs in all areas of research, scholarship and creative endeavor. He also holds the position of professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering.
Prior to joining Notre Dame, Rhoads served as executive director of the Purdue Institute for National Security and as a professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering. He previously served as the director of the Ray W. Herrick Laboratories, associate director of the Purdue Energetics Research Center, and director of practice for the Mechanical Engineering Education Research Center at Purdue University.
Rhoads is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and a member of the American Society for Engineering Education and the National Defense Industrial Association. Rhoads earned a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a doctoral degree, each in mechanical engineering, from Michigan State University.
Meet the Panelist: Nitesh Chawla
Nitesh Chawla is the Frank M. Freimann Professor of Computer Science and Engineering and the Founding Director of the Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society at University of Notre Dame. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
He is the recipient of multiple awards for research and teaching innovation including Outstanding Teaching Awards at Notre Dame, a National Academy of Engineers New Faculty Fellowship, and a number of best paper awards and nominations. He also is the recipient of the 2015 IEEE CIS Outstanding Early Career Award; the IBM Watson Faculty Award; the IBM Big Data and Analytics Faculty Award; and the 1st Source Bank Technology Commercialization Award. He is a co-founder of Aunalytics, a data science software and cloud computing company.
Meet the Panelist: Nick Fehring '01, '01 MBA, IBM
Nick Fehring ’01, ’01 MBA is Vice President and Controller for IBM, responsible for accounting, external reporting, planning, and financial risk management. He’s held leadership roles with IBM including Corporate Treasurer, IBM CFO for Asia Pacific, and Global Technology Services CFO for the Growth Markets.
Currently, Nick serves on the steering committee of the Notre Dame-IBM Technology Ethics Lab, focused on promoting applied research, education, and thought leadership in technology and AI ethics. He graduated from Notre Dame in 2001, earning an MBA and a BS in Aerospace Engineering. He was one of six students nationally to earn outstanding honors from Sigma Gamma Tau. Nick is a member of the monogram club for track and field. He lives with his wife, Farah, and three children in Connecticut.
Meet the Panelist: Thom Kenney '05 MBA, Google
Thom Kenney ’05 MBA is Google’s Director of AI and Digital Transformation for the Public Sector, leading efforts across local, state, and national governments. Before joining Google in 2022, Thom was an entrepreneur, serving as VP Engineering, CTO, or CEO in early to mid-stage companies, generating nearly $3B in shareholder value through acquisitions by HP, Vista Private Equity, and Symphony Technology Group.
An Army Reservist with multiple combat deployments, Thom commands the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) in San Diego.
Prior to Google, he was Chief Data Officer and Director of AI at U.S. Special Operations Command, driving digital transformation. Thom holds an MBA from the University of Notre Dame and an MSCS with an AI concentration from Georgia Tech. He lives near Boston, runs the Boston Marathon for charity, supports the Red Sox Foundation and Home Base program, and serves on the boards of emerging HR and Web3 companies and Boston nonprofits.
Meet the Panelist: Yong Lee
Yong Lee is Program Chair in Technology Ethics and Associate Professor of Technology, Economy, and Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame. His research focuses on issues that intersect technology, labor, society, and governance. The new wave of technologies, such as AI and robotics, will have important implications for the economy.
Lee’s recent research examines how new technologies affect labor and firms, and the societal and ethical implications of new technologies.
Learn more about IrishCompass
IrishCompass, the University’s official professional online community for alumni and students to network, access mentors and coaches, find jobs, and much more.
Through IrishCompass, alumni and current students can connect with fellow members of the ND family to gain their support and perspective, serve as a resource to other grads and students, and learn from industry experts (alumni or student login required).
Learn more at irishcompass.nd.edu.