Now more than ever it’s vital we work to deliver the most equitable and accessible transport networks possible for our communities, doing so requires consideration of the ethics, technology enablers and operations. The algorithms, machine learning training sets, services and planning decisions are all chosen, designed, and developed by people. What is often presented as neutral or agnostic can have implicit biases baked in. This panel discussion will consider these issues from an operational, technological and philosophical perspective.
Recording
Panellists
Renee Ray
Strategy and Innovation Leader / Conduent
Renee is passionate about creating a more accessible and equitable transportation system. Her background includes understanding and reducing barriers for vulnerable users, such as people with disabilities or who are unbanked or lack smartphones. Renee moved from public sector planning and operations into technology because she believes we need more people in tech who understand policy and will help develop solutions that work for everybody.
Learn more about Conduent
Terry O'Toole
Chief Executive Officer / Transitcare
Terry is a vastly experienced Corporate Executive. He was Chief Operating Officer of a national waste management and transport operation for six years prior to joining TransitCare Ltd as their COO. For the past six years he has held the role of CEO of TransitCare which is one of the largest and most efficient community transporters in the country.
Terry is a member of the AICD and sits on two boards – the TDSA in Queensland and ACTA as the Vice Chairman and the NDS State Committee. He continues to agitate for the rights of clients to ensure that they are provided with the best services possible. Terry attends many forums where his transport expertise is called upon to provide clear strategy and direction for the sector.
Robert Sparrow
Professor / Monash University
Rob Sparrow is a Professor in the Philosophy Program and an Associate Investigator in the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making and Society at Monash University, where he works on ethical issues raised by new technologies. He has been an ARC Future Fellow, a Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science Visiting Fellow at Kyoto University, a Visiting Fellow in the CUHK Centre for Bioethics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, a Visiting Fellow at Carnegie Mellon, and a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Biomedical Ethics at the National University of Singapore. He has published widely, in both academic journals and the popular press, on bioethics and on the ethics of robotics, including autonomous vehicles. He has served as co-chair of the IEEE Technical Committee on Robot Ethics and was one of the founding members of the International Committee for Robot Arms Control.
Related Reading
Renee Ray – The Role of transport in improving Americas Health
Robert Sparrow – Publications including ‘Make way for the wealthy? Autonomous vehicles, markets in mobility, and social justice’
Terry O’Toole – Transit Care