Hello, World: Finding Your voice in Tech
- 1. Hello, World Finding Your Voice in Tech Dee Wilcox Senior Software Engineer at NASBA Founder of Joy Spark TWISTER Conference 2018 February 17, 2018
- 2. Bio ● Wife to Chris for 15 years ● Mom to Mackenzie (age 7) and Aubrey (age 2) ● Maker ● Foodie ● Moved to Nashville in 2010 ● Founder of Joy Spark ● Professional software developer for 15 years ● Senior Software Developer and Team Lead at NASBA
- 3. My Why ● We all need someone to show us what we can’t see. ○ I never thought I couldn’t… I just didn’t know that I had the choice. ● We all need someone to believe in us. ○ Or to be just as naive as we are. ● I have two beautiful daughters who can’t be shoved into any box, gender or otherwise. ○ I want to help them find their voice and their own path.
- 4. Overview From Siri to Alexa to self-driving vehicles, new trends in technology have made artificial intelligence part of our every day lives. As women in tech, it is vitally important that we help shape the future by contributing our unique viewpoints, experiences, skills, and talents to the development of these emerging technologies. Hands on activity: We will use software engineering to create a new skill for an Alexa device.
- 5. Alexa? Artificial Intelligence (AI) already impacts every day life for many of us. It’s in our cars, on our phones, and in our homes. We’ve gotten used to it. But have we really taken notice of the voices informing this technology?
- 6. Women in Tech Today Information Technology has struggled to improve its inclusivity ratings for both gender and diversity. Only 16% of Software Engineering roles are held by women, and only 9% of Hardware roles are held by women. IT Jobs Held by Women 25% Software Engineering Roles Held by Women 16% Top Level Female Leaders in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning 13% Software Startups Owned by Women 5%
- 7. Our Challenge “The biggest challenges facing IT today are technical, not social.” - Kate Crawfard, Head of AI at NYU
- 8. Diversity Makes Us Better Prototype Diversity of Ethnicity, Geography, Gender, and Socioeconomic Status Share Diversity of Experiences, Perceptions, Opinions, and Viewpoints Refine Stronger, More Creative Solutions Diversity of Solutions Generated 01 02 03 04
- 9. How Can We Help? How can we create solutions with technology that resonate with us? What do we care about? What are we passionate about? What will keep us sitting at a desk for hours tweaking bytes because we are engaged and passionate about the problem at hand?.
- 10. Alexa, How Can I Help? ● Simple web app ● Alexa Skill integration ● Allows users to connect with organizations in their community and contribute to social good
- 12. To Hold the Light By Zachry K. Douglas To the women who have broken their backs so others could have the honor of standing up for what they believe in, thank you for being a voice in today’s society. Let it be thunder Let it be love. Let it be a hurricane. Let it be you. Speak for the stories that have been silenced. To the little girls running around, looking for heroes and role models, this world is yours. Unity is a choice, and however you choose to enliven your heart, and the hearts around you, be you, bravely.
Editor's Notes
- #4: One is sensitive and logical… one of the best problem-solvers I know. She is all heart, and I know she’ll solve big problems someday. The other is fierce and wholly unstoppable with a laugh that will stop you in your tracks. She is a builder, and I know that nothing will get in her way.
- #7: Sources: https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-latest-stats-on-women-in-tech https://www.womenwhotech.com/womenintechinfographic https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/women-in-artificial-intelligence/ https://www.techemergence.com/women-in-artificial-intelligence-visual-study-leaderships-across-industries/
- #10: The best, longest lasting social revolutions have low- to no barriers to entry and capture the hearts and minds of individuals, motivating them to action The reality is that in America, we have greater access to tools and technology than other parts of the world. Even in our poorest communities, our barriers to entry are lower than in other communities. How can we help here? Cacie Community Coat drives Food drives Send a donation Add organization as a friend Friend must having a gifting address set up Send an order from a public Amazon list Amazon friends & family gifting with Facebook Connect Add organization as a friend Friend must having a gifting address set up Great for school supplies, disaster relief, etc. Education Fact lists STEAM ideas Alexa, how can I help? App to randomly share interesting Women/diversity in tech bios [SLIDE] Alexa, donate to World Vision