The 10th Annual SAS Championship Women's Day event offered new inspiration to act with mindful intention and stay the course in life and career. An undeniable energy filled the Prestonwood Country Club ballroom on Tuesday, Oct. 10 as more than 230 attendees – mostly women – spilled into the room
Tag: equity and responsibility
Recently, we sat down with Jakob Koziel, Senior Research Analyst at Bissell Centre. During their conversation, Jakob highlighted some of the work Bissell Centre is doing to eradicate poverty in Edmonton and how SAS is helping them move their mission forward. Question: Give me a little bit of background on
Can you imagine a world where Medicaid isn’t just a lifeline for those in need but a force driving outcomes that transform lives? That vision is no longer a distant dream; it’s a reality that demands our attention. Medicaid programs make thousands of policy decisions each year that affect some
For another year, multiple golf teams from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the United States gathered in Cary, NC for the SAS HBCU Invitational Tournament. The tournament was part of the SAS Championship, a week-long event filled with networking, fun and golf. As part of the event, 16
Steam engines sparked the first Industrial Revolution, electricity energized the second, and early automation and the assembly line powered the third. Now, the fourth (often called smart manufacturing) is being shaped by artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, the internet and real-time data. Smart technologies are transforming manufacturing. It starts on the
National Institute on Drug Abuse research shows that an estimated 65% percent of the United States prison population has an active substance use disorder (SUD). Another 20% percent did not meet the official criteria for an SUD but were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of
Between technological advancements in machine learning, the rise of AI and a growing interest in data-driven decisions, the demand for analytical talent has grown significantly in recent years. In today’s workforce, however, there is a lack of representation of people of color in the tech industry. According to Harnham’s Data
In maternal and newborn health care, a pressing challenge looms large – neonatal sepsis. This dangerous infection claims the lives of countless newborns each year, devastating families and other loved ones. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies neonatal infections as a leading cause of infant mortality, responsible for nearly a
As you read this, someone you know may be in the hospital for an acute illness. Treatments for life-threatening illnesses are often based on a combination of existing protocols and staff experience. And that’s great when hospitals are running smoothly and are adequately staffed. But too often these days, hospitals
In a world where technology is a cornerstone of society, opportunities in the tech sector should be within reach for all. Yet, for many people, education, resources and access barriers stand in the way. According to research by McKinsey, Black people make up 12 percent of the US workforce but only
The global population is aging faster than ever. The United Nations estimates there are nearly one billion people over the age of 60. That number is expected to more than double by 2050. With this growth comes a rise in chronic illnesses that are, unfortunately, part of the aging process.
Life insurance is hard to sell. People don’t like talking about it because it draws attention to a topic no one wants to consider for themselves. Death. Life insurers have earned a reputation for laborious and intrusive processes to secure the coverage that everyone needs. So, over the years, they
Data has emerged as a crucial weapon in the battle against the overdose epidemic in the United States. Government agencies nationwide are grappling with social issues such as gun violence, gang activity, burglaries and homelessness to go along with the enduring overdose crisis. Addressing these issues requires using data to
Despite returning to a semblance of normalcy, research shows that a vast number of students still find themselves in the midst of a mental health crisis. It comes as no surprise to educators and parents alike, as the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on relationships and social support – key
SAS takes its pledge to support US veterans and military families to heart. So, when the 2022 the PACT Act expanded Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits for those exposed to toxic substances, a collective team at SAS pulled together to help inform the community. Expanding Care for Our
As AI rapidly advances over the next several years, I’ve been fortunate to have an active role in helping to guide a responsible path forward when it comes to technology’s impact on our daily lives. Currently, this role includes serving as Vice President for the SAS Data Ethics Practice, as an
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A new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the pressing need for prompt and resolute action across industries to tackle climate change. The report emphasizes the importance of prioritizing equity, social justice, inclusion and just transition processes to enable ambitious climate mitigation actions and climate-resilient development.
As businesses continue to evolve and adapt to the changing landscape of the global economy, decision-making has become increasingly complex. To stay competitive and meet the growing demands of customers, businesses must adopt new technologies and strategies to streamline their operations and enhance the customer experience. This is where AI
I see the term resilience in a lot of business literature these days. Intuitively, it makes sense. After a pandemic, global supply chain disruptions and resulting economic fragility, executives understandably consider adaptability, durability and how best to operate with a strength of character – all attributes that define resilience. Many
In 2023, businesses recognize the need to be resilient. With the global disruptions we’ve faced over the last few years, and continuing disruptions and instabilities, the need for organizational resilience has never been clearer. By building resiliency, organizations can adapt to changing circumstances, maintain stability and minimize damage from unexpected events.
If you’ve ever contemplated AI's messy reality and political nature, the interplay of technology with society and the impact of AI on democracy, we have a conversation for you. As AI rapidly expands, it has sparked numerous discussions and debates. One theory is that AI is inherently political. This viewpoint
In today's world, data-driven systems make significant decisions across industries. While these systems can bring many benefits, they can also foster distrust by obscuring how decisions are made. Therefore, transparency within data driven systems is critical to responsible innovation. Transparency requires clear, explainable communication. Since transparency helps people understand how
Responsible innovation is critical because technology does not exist in a vacuum. It affects us all in unexpected ways. We know analytics has an undeniable impact on society. For example, analytics can help hospitals manage their inventories for essential items like wheelchairs and bladder scanners, help sports teams curate a
One of the reasons I got involved with the trustworthy AI movement is because automated systems enabled by our past will hurt people – at scale – if we aren’t careful. Worse yet, and from a personal perspective, it concerned me that if such systems were deployed in justice and
Determining the “right” talent strategy for an organization isn’t easy. Diverse projects and priorities demand various levels of knowledge, skills and experiences to achieve the end goal. Talent planning requires assessing current employees and unearthing the gaps to identify what’s needed to meet business demands. Specific and extensive knowledge and
I’ve spent months traveling and speaking to business leaders worldwide about trustworthy AI and responsible innovation. On the nights I laid awake in unfamiliar hotel rooms, wishing my body clock would adjust faster than it was, I found joy in watching local television in local languages. While I don’t understand
It’s hard to get through a day in analytics now without hearing the words interpretability and explainability. These terms have become important in a world where machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) models are becoming more ubiquitous. However, what do the two terms mean—and more importantly, why do they matter?
As head of the SAS Data Ethics Practice, I spend a lot of time contemplating the social implications of AI. Considering its benefits like augmenting medical decisions and pitfalls, making decisions based on biased data results in dire consequences for patients. Such implications have the potential to impact society in a variety
Curious about what it’s like to work at SAS? You’re in the right place. Our people are always asking “What if?” and pushing the boundaries of innovation, and their curiosity is at the core of our company. Today, Vrushali Sawant, a Data Scientist in our Data Ethics Practice, is sharing