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
The business case for diversity and inclusion is clear. Research has shown that diverse organizations are more profitable, more innovative and more desirable to employees. So how do we as marketers contribute to making our organizations inclusive? I believe that we must start by cultivating curiosity. Curiosity fuels diversity and inclusion Curiosity
Students at North Carolina State University completed design projects yielding striking visuals, purpose and functionality without unethical design characteristics. If you were to design the ultimate vacation home, you would most certainly consider options and features that speak to your individual preferences and style. It turns out that same inclination
We hear a lot about responsible AI or AI ethics in the marketplace today. At SAS, we believe there should be a larger conversation about responsible innovation. In reality, the decisions made by AI are the outcome of algorithms, data and business processes. This means ethical considerations must be applied
We recently passed the two-year anniversary of US school closures that transformed schooling for students, teachers and parents. The pandemic induced the largest remote learning experiment in history. But, lack of time to prepare for remote education and unequal internet and device access left many students unserved or underserved. It was
Creating an inclusive work environment where employees can thrive and be their authentic selves is part of SAS’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy. Our Employee Inclusion Groups (EIGs) are key to fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance. But what exactly do these groups do? Today, meet the Black
When Los Angeles County invested in Whole Person Care (WPC) it could not have known just how important the system’s flexibility would be. Anyone who has had an interface with health care delivery, policy, oversight and management know things change quickly. As data becomes a priority, expectations of the use
During a SAS Hackathon, Zencos set out to help veterans reintegrate into a rapidly changing job market and discover potential career paths. Life after the military can be challenging, especially when it comes to finding meaningful employment that utilizes a returning service member’s unique knowledge and skills. Veterans must navigate the
Amid historical and structural barriers, “quality cancer treatment for all” is a simple credo that is not easy to put into action. Cancer is recognized as a leading cause of death, accounting for more than 10 million deaths globally in 2020, according to the World Health Organization. Globally, people with
A team of SAS employees recently participated in a data-for-good project focusing on forest fires in the Amazon. In conjunction with the Amazon Conservation Association (ACA), the team explored options to collect and analyze publicly available imagery and fire data to better understand the drivers for forest fires as well
