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WiDS Cambridge 2025
More information coming soon!
Friday, March 7th, 2025- Save the date!
8am-4:30pm EST
In person: Microsoft New England (NERD Center)
1 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02142
Missed last year's event?
For the eighth year, MIT, Harvard, and Microsoft New England are proud to collaborate with Women in Data Science (WiDS) Worldwide to bring the WiDS regional conference to Cambridge, Massachusetts. This one-day conference will feature an all-female lineup of speakers and panelists from academia and industry to talk about the latest data science-related research in a number of domains, to learn how leading-edge researchers and companies are leveraging data science for success.
Recordings of our 2023 talks and panels can be accessed here.
2024 Keynote Speaker
Fotini Christia
Ford International Professor of the Social Sciences
Director, MIT Sociotechnical Systems Research Center (SSRC), MIT
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2024 Plenary Speakers/Technical Talks
Danisha Baker
Data & Applied Scientist,
Microsoft
Elizabeth Lingg
Principal Software Engineering Manager
Microsoft
2024 Morning Panel: Data Science for Humanitarian Work in Conflict Zones
With the high stakes involved in zones of conflict, the promises and potential perils of data science take on an enhanced impact and importance. The experts in this panel, who have all been involved in efforts to mitigate conflict's impacts, will share their experiences and observations about the use of data science to assist in these goals: what is currently being done, where we should focus our future efforts, and what considerations are most important to ensure data use doesn't bring additional harm to communities already suffering under persistent violence.
Natalie Ayers
Moderator
PhD Student in Government at Harvard University,
Research Affiliate and Data Science Intern at CrisisReady
Erica Nelson
Co-Director, Humanitarian Geoanalytics Research and
Education Programs,
Harvard Humanitarian Initiative
2024 Afternoon Panel: Responsible AI: Democratization of AI Tools & AI for Sustainability
As we navigate the complexities of AI in today's world, understanding the multifaceted nature of AI democratization is crucial. Our panel of experts, each bringing diverse experiences from industry to academia, will delve into key themes under the umbrella of Responsible AI. We'll unpack the nuances of AI utilization, its accessibility, its role in promoting sustainability, and the challenges and opportunities in broadening its reach responsibly. Join us as we explore what AI democratization means, key strategies for contributing more responsibly, and the challenges in achieving this goal.
Devon Chen
Associate Partner with QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey
Minsoo Thigpen
Senior Product Manager,
Responsible AI,
Microsoft
About WiDS
WiDS Cambridge is independently organized by MIT, Harvard, and Microsoft New England to be part of the mission to increase participation of women in data science and to feature outstanding women doing outstanding work.
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The Women in Data Science (WiDS) initiative aims to inspire and educate data scientists worldwide, regardless of gender, and to support women in the field. WiDS started as a one-day technical conference at Stanford in November 2015. Nine years later, WiDS is a global movement that includes a number of worldwide initiatives:​​
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For more information, visit here.
Follow us #WiDS2025
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