Debugged S4E9: Shaping the Future of AI Ethics with Emily Reid

Hello! Welcome back to Debugged, the Congressional App Challenge’s alumni-led podcast that connects the country’s youth with technology by debugging the intricate world of computer science.

In this episode, host Medha Gupta has the pleasure of chatting with Emily Reid! Emily is a dynamic leader in AI education and responsible AI. She is dedicated to promoting more diverse representation and ethical frameworks all throughout the tech industry. As the CEO of AI4ALL, she works to democratize pathways to AI careers, cultivating the next generation of change makers in the field, all while ensuring that AI is set up to work for humans.

To start off the interview, Emily shares how she got involved in AI and its responsible usage. She shared her comparatively late entry into the broader field of computer science, but how it captivated her as both a creative medium and a type of logic-oriented problem solving. As she discusses her time doing cybersecurity research and development for MITRE, she also mentions a project that introduced her firsthand to machine learning.

Motivated by AI’s potential, and also her academic interest in philosophy, she noticed how AI lacked a formal ethical framework compared to other fields—like law and medicine—despite its extraordinary importance to society. Similarly, she noticed how many discussions around AI safety at the time were dismissive of our ability to change the path the technology takes: that it is humans who are partaking in a conscious effort to create the robots whose potential to eventually take over the world, even, we question.

Pursuing her masters in graduate school at Columbia University, she also became involved in an organization called Girls Who Code. She rose to the position of Director of Education, where she developed teacher training and curriculum for all of their programs. In her role, she learned how to scale programs, and how to form educational experiences—especially those that included marginalized perspectives. Eventually, by referral, she joined the team of AI4ALL, and rose to the position of CEO. There, she uses education—in her eyes, a powerful force for change—to train students to be ethical AI change makers far into the future.

Finally, she discusses programs and resources relevant to both high schoolers and college students interested in getting involved in computer science, and AI. Tune in to this week’s episode of Debugged to hear more of Emily’s fascinating insights about the field of AI!

More about Debugged

Founded in 2021 by the Congressional App Challenge’s Alumni Advisory Board, Debugged is a unique podcast experience that seeks to redefine STEM education, shine a light on diverse voices, and further the narrative around a myriad of computer science topics. By highlighting trends in the industry, breaking down complicated concepts, and interviewing high profile guests, listeners are given the opportunity to delve into the world of technology in an analytical yet engaging way.

Debugged is free to stream on your favorite platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more via Anchor.fm! To be the first to know about new episodes, and to learn more about the team of eleven alumni behind every one, follow @cacdebugged on Instagram and X. Thank you so much for your viewership; we hope you enjoy the episode!