Explore the ways computing and technology cultivate innovative solutions to environmental issues with two amazing panelists from the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Community: Grace Magny-Fokam and Neha Shukla. Both featured speakers will share how they work alongside well-known organizations to raise awareness and address environmental concerns in arenas ranging from agriculture to water conservation and using ethical, child-safe artificial intelligence (AI) for climate advocacy. Learn how these two technologists leverage computing to amplify innovations in frontline communities.
Grace Magny-Fokam is an AI researcher, climate advocate, social innovator, and author who is passionate about mobilizing young people to solve global challenges through social innovation. As the founder of Folia Technologies and inventor of a novel device called FoliaNet, Grace uses her skills and influence as both a tech creator and scientific communicator to raise awareness about enacting positive change in climate advocacy by using AI. Throughout her journey as a researcher, she has collaborated with organizations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the U.S. Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and the National Security Agency. She has received over $70,000 in research funding and has received numerous awards for her work from tech enterprises like Google and Microsoft.
Neha Shukla is a New York Times-featured inventor, social entrepreneur, activist, bestselling author, and AI ethicist. She works to create solutions for communities using tech, tackling issues like the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and homelessness with support from Microsoft, NASA, and NVIDIA. Her debut book, “Innovation for Everyone,” encourages young people to find their voice and take action within their communities. She serves as the Chair and US Representative at the World Economic Forum’s Generation AI Youth Council, advocating for ethical and child-safe AI in collaboration with corporations and policymakers. Continuing with her activism, Neha spoke at the Capitol alongside Senators and Representatives to push for $70 million in funding to improve educational access for over 700,000 at-risk youth. Her innovations and activism are recognized in the New York Times, Forbes, Harper’s Bazaar, and commended by President Biden and the Royal Family. She was also selected by the White House National Space Council to advocate for girls in technology nationally, and serves as the Youth Advisor to the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
About the new CS+ webinar series
Computing + Passion = Careers of the Future
Hear students, educators, researchers, and professionals talk about their experiences with combining computer science and other interests (CS+), such as art, music, medicine, and other fields and learn how computing is embedded in what they do. To see recordings of CS+ presentations on topics including social good, sports, dance, and medical devices, visit the NCWIT Media Hub at ncwit.org/media.
