AI and Persuasive Technology to Promote Social Good Among Under-served Population

Abstract

It is no longer news that technologies can be used to either promote or reduce inequalities and marginalization in society, as a direct outcome or consequence of how they are designed. My research at the Persuasive Computing Lab is dedicated to designing human-centered technologies to promote social and public goods and designing technologies for under-served populations. This Keynote discusses how advances in AI could help us in achieving our research goal of promoting social good among underserved populations. Specifically, I will feature case studies of AI-driven applications for solving problems among underserved populations in various domains with a specific focus on people in developing countries. I will discuss the methodological and technical challenges and highlight gaps that I believe AI researchers can fill to advance research in this area and promote inclusion of under-served groups in AI research and innovation.

Bio

Prof. Rita Orji is a Canada Research Chair in Persuasive Technology and an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University where she directs the Persuasive Computing Lab. Her research is at the intersection of technology and human behaviour with a particular interest in user-centered approaches to designing technologies to promote social and public good as well as technologies for the under-served populations. She applies her research to tackle real-life problems in various domains including improving a wide range of health and wellness objectives. She has won millions of dollars from competitive grant funding from agencies and governments around the world to support her work.

With over 190 peer-reviewed papers, Prof. Orji has won over 60 prestigious awards and recognitions nationally and internationally in recognition of her outstanding achievements both in academia and in society at large. Recently, she was recognized as one of the Top 150 Canadian Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Top Canadian Young Computer Science Researcher Award, Top 100 Leading Nigerian Women, one of the Top 60 African Women in STEM, Top 50 Young Most Influential Best Brains in Enugu State, Nigeria, and admitted into the Royal Society of Canada. She also won many research excellence awards and a digital leadership award as a Women Leader in Digital Economy for her work in advancing technology both in Canada and in her native country of Nigeria.

Prof. Orji is a renowned speaker who has delivered over 100 invited talks, keynote speeches, and public presentations. She has attracted over 100 instances of media coverage by major news organizations such as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and StarPhoenix on account of her work and empowerment programs with significant social and community impact. She was also a speaker at a United Nations panel. Above all, Prof. Orji is a Champion of diversity and inclusion in STEM through her numerous activities and using herself as a practical example. She founded the Education for Women and the Less Privileged Foundation. She is passionate about mentoring the next generation of STEM Leaders.