Being International, Living Diversity (IWD25)

Abstract: What does it mean to “be” international? How can we “live” diversity? And what has that got to do with humanity-centered design? Katina’s talk celebrates difference through the opportunities afforded in international business, describing some of her experiences in industry and academia over the last 30 years. But her talk also ponders on the impact of technology on society and the unintended consequences heralded by advances in digitalization, communications and automation. She explores the pacing problem with a particular focus on the sustainability of AI and sustainability of humanity through socio-technical design for public interest technology.

Biography: Katina Michael is a second-generation Greek-Australian who has worked internationally in industry and academia. She is the founding editor-in-chief of the IEEE Transactions on Technology and Society. She is presently a Visiting Professor at the Newcastle University Business School, UK, visiting research professor at Arizona State University and honorary professor at the University of Wollongong Australia. She has received national funding from Australia, the US, Canada, and the UAE for various initiatives related to location-based services, telecommunications policy, smart cities, user/human-centered/critical design, biomedical devices, generative/ artificial intelligence and trust.

Invitation: Prof Maeve Duffy, University of Galway