Artificial intelligence for social impact: Learning and planning in the data-to-deployment pipeline

With the maturing of artificial intelligence (AI) and multiagent systems research, we have a tremendous opportunity to direct these advances toward addressing complex societal problems. In pursuit of this goal of AI for social impact, we as AI researchers must go beyond improvements in computational methodology; it is important to step out in the field to demonstrate social impact. To this end, we focus on the problems of public safety and security, wildlife conservation, and public health in low-resource communities, and present research advances in multiagent systems to address one key cross-cutting challenge: how to effectively deploy our limited intervention resources in these problem domains. We present case studies from our deployments around the world as well as lessons learned that we hope are of use to researchers who are interested in AI for social impact. In pushing this research agenda, we believe AI can indeed play an important role in fighting social injustice and improving society

AI for Social Impact: Learning and Planning in the Data-to-Deployment Pipeline

With the maturing of AI and multiagent systems research, we have a tremendous opportunity to direct these advances towards addressing complex societal problems. In pursuit of this goal of AI for Social Impact, we as AI researchers must go beyond improvements in computational methodology; it is important to step out in the field to demonstrate social impact. To this end, we focus on the problems of public safety and security, wildlife conservation, and public health in low-resource communities, and present research advances in multiagent systems to address one key cross-cutting challenge: how to effectively deploy our limited intervention resources in these problem domains. We present case studies from our deployments around the world as well as lessons learned that we hope are of use to researchers who are interested in AI for Social Impact. In pushing this research agenda, we believe AI can indeed play an important role in fighting social injustice and improving society.Comment: To appear, AI Magazin

Social forecasting: a literature review of research promoted by the United States National Security System to model human behavior

The development of new information and communication technologies increased the volume of information flows within society. For the security forces, this phenomenon presents new opportunities for collecting, processing and analyzing information linked with the opportunity to collect a vast and diverse amount data, and at the same time it requires new organizational and individual competences to deal with the new forms and huge volumes of information. Our study aimed to outline the research areas funded by the US defense and intelligence agencies with respect to social forecasting. Based on bibliometric techniques, we clustered 2688 articles funded by US defense or intelligence agencies in five research areas: a) Complex networks, b) Social networks, c) Human reasoning, d) Optimization algorithms, and e) Neuroscience. After that, we analyzed qualitatively the most cited papers in each area. Our analysis identified that the research areas are compatible with the US intelligence doctrine. Besides that, we considered that the research areas could be incorporated in the work of security forces provided that basic training is offered. The basic training would not only enhance capabilities of law enforcement agencies but also help safeguard against (unwitting) biases and mistakes in the analysis of data

Difference in risk perception of onboard security threats by aircrew and aviation security experts

Airlines are increasingly relying on non-security personnel such as cabin crews and pilots to perform a security function when dealing with potential onboard security threats. The training aircrews receive on security threat assessment is considered by many to be inadequate. The way aircrews respond to potential onboard threats can have life and death consequences for passengers and other aircrew. How these potential threats are handled can also cause significant financial loss to the airlines through loss of productivity, passenger claims or even legal liability. For this reason, it is imperative we understand how aircrews perceive security risk in order to make appropriate risk assessments. This study examines if aircrew perceive security risks the same as aviation security experts. Five scenarios representing actual potential onboard security threats were given to a group of 67 pilots, cabin crew and aviation security experts. The participants were asked a series of questions about the scenarios that measured how they perceived the potential threat as well as other questions to determine how prepared they were to deal with each scenario. The results showed that aircrews perceive and assess risk associated with onboard security threats significantly different than aviation security experts

Electronic and telecommunication engineering concepts in industrial product design with a case study of cell phone

Thesis (Master)--Izmir Institute of Technology, Industrial Design, Izmir, 2006Includes bibliographical references (leaves: 58-60)Text in English;Abstract: Turkish and Englishix, 60 leavesIndustrial product design, as a field of design discipline, borrows concepts and methods from other disciplines, one of which is engineering, in order to develop its own knowledge in research and industry contexts. In the means of strengthening its place among other disciplines, a concentration on .designerly. ways of knowing, thinking and acting should be provided. Therefore, in this study, the intersection between industrial product design field and engineering discipline is searched for revealing the engineering concepts and non-intuitive design methods within intuitive design methods used in industrial product design. Engineering design field is stated, since its being close to industrial product design, and a comparison is made between industrial product design and some engineering fields through their approach to design problems and the tools they use. Engineering design methods are stated and their advantages in design activity are revealed. This study is a part of design systems area, with formal approaches to models of design processes and knowledge. Finally, a case study of cell phones is carried out in order to prove the design approaches and the priorities of electronic and telecommunication engineering and industrial product design on a product

John Dewey\u27s concept of the good : a macro- and meso-application to the U.S. health system

This work stems from the debate about ethically reforming America\u27s health system in response to the enduring scarcity of resources. There are at least three essential components to successfully instituting needed changes: a philosophicallydefensible guideline, effectively-designed programs or legislation, and political willpower. This dissertation represents the first component. Two distributive justice decisions are central to this dissertation. One decision is how to apportion resources among competing governmental programs such as Social Security, education, agriculture, and transportation. This is known as the macro-level. The other decision is how to apportion health-care resources to competing ailment or disease categories such as cancer, eye care, cystic fibrosis, and burns. This is known as the meso-level. An ethical criterion or standard is needed with which to make such important decisions. Some proposals choose a consequentialist criterion in terms of the benefits resulting from health while others use a Kantian-like criterion of right action. Still other proposals focus on the notion of a good human life. The criterion selected for this dissertation comes from the philosophical work of John Dewey, an influential American philosopher in the first half of the 1900s. This criterion precedes the aforementioned criteria: it is the concept of the good itself

Improving School Improvement

PREFACEIn opening this volume, you might be thinking:Is another book on school improvement really needed?Clearly our answer is yes. Our analyses of prevailing school improvement legislation, planning, and literature indicates fundamental deficiencies, especially with respect to enhancing equity of opportunity and closing the achievement gap.Here is what our work uniquely brings to policy and planning tables:(1) An expanded framework for school improvement – We highlight that moving from a two- to a three-component policy and practice framework is essential for closing the opportunity and achievement gaps. (That is, expanding from focusing primarily on instruction and management/government concerns by establishing a third primary component to improve how schools address barriers to learning and teaching.)(2) An emphasis on integrating a deep understanding of motivation – We underscore that concerns about engagement, management of behavior, school climate, equity of opportunity, and student outcomes require an up-to-date grasp of motivation and especially intrinsic motivation.(3) Clarification of the nature and scope of personalized teaching – We define personalization as the process of matching learner motivation and capabilities and stress that it is the learner's perception that determines whether the match is a good one.(4) A reframing of remediation and special education – We formulate these processes as personalized special assistance that is applied in and out of classrooms and practiced in a sequential and hierarchical manner.(5) A prototype for transforming student and learning supports – We provide a framework for a unified, comprehensive, and equitable system designed to address barriers to learning and teaching and re-engage disconnected students and families.(6) A reworking of the leadership structure for whole school improvement --We outline how the operational infrastructure can and must be realigned in keeping with a three component school improvement framework.(7) A systemic approach to enhancing school-community collaboration – We delineate a leadership role for schools in outreaching to communities in order to work on shared concerns through a formal collaborative operational infrastructure that enables weaving together resources to advance the work.(8) An expanded framework for school accountability – We reframe school accountability to ensure a balanced approach that accounts for a shift to a three component school improvement policy.(9) Guidance for substantive, scalable, and sustainable systemic changes –We frame mechanisms and discuss lessons learned related to facilitating fundamental systemic changes and replicating and sustaining them across a district.The frameworks and practices presented are based on our many years of work in schools and from efforts to enhance school-community collaboration. We incorporate insights from various theories and the large body of relevant research and from lessons learned and shared by many school leaders and staff who strive everyday to do their best for children.Our emphasis on new directions in no way is meant to demean current efforts. We know that the demands placed on those working in schools go well beyond what anyone should be asked to do. Given the current working conditions in many schools, our intent is to help make the hard work generate better results. To this end, we highlight new directions and systemic pathways for improving school outcomes.Some of what we propose is difficult to accomplish. Hopefully, the fact that there are schools, districts, and state agencies already trailblazing the way will engender a sense of hope and encouragement to those committed to innovation.It will be obvious that our work owes much to many. We are especially grateful to those who are pioneering major systemic changes across the country. These leaders and so many in the field have generously offered their insights and wisdom. And, of course, we are indebted to hundreds of scholars whose research and writing is a shared treasure. As always, we take this opportunity to thank Perry Nelson and the host of graduate and undergraduate students at UCLA who contribute so much to our work each day, and to the many young people and their families who continue to teach us all.Respectfully submitted for your consideration,Howard Adelman & Linda Taylo