There is mounting public concern over the influence that AI based systems has in our society. Coalitions in all sectors are acting worldwide to resist hamful applications of AI. From indigenous people addressing the lack of reliable data, to smart city stakeholders, to students protesting the academic relationships with sex trafficker and MIT donor Jeffery Epstein, the questionable ethics and values of those heavily investing in and profiting from AI are under global scrutiny. There are biased, wrongful, and disturbing assumptions embedded in AI algorithms that could get locked in without intervention. Our best human judgment is needed to contain AI's harmful impact. Perhaps one of the greatest contributions of AI will be to make us ultimately understand how important human wisdom truly is in life on earth.

The workshop is intended for Software Developers with a strong background in fundamental Computer Science topics like data structures and algorithms. SPEAKER: The workshop was delivered by MENA Devs' member Islam El-Ashi who is a hacker and a software engineer. Based in Silicon Valley, Islam was an early member of a number of startups like TellApart and Wish, and also contributed at larger companies like Twitter, Google, and Evernote. Prior to moving to Silicon Valley, Islam was a social entrepreneur in Egypt and the founder of Diraya, an organization producing MOOCs and followed by thousands of high school students in Egypt.