The University of Pittsburgh has appointed a chairperson to head the advisory board for its Responsible Data Science Initiative.
Andy Hannah, who is president of AI and data science solutions for higher education admissions software company Liaison International and an adjunct professor of analytics at Pitt, has been appointed to the role. Hannah will provide guidance on the initiative's strategic direction with an initial focus on educational programming for responsible data science workforce development, a project that has received funding from the R.K. Mellon Foundation. The board will be made up of experts who ensure that the initiative is attuned to the specific challenges and opportunities in the Pittsburgh region.
"The advisory board will play a crucial role in guiding the ethical, legal, and social considerations related to data science development and deployment," Hannah said in a release. "We're excited to collaborate with an interdisciplinary group that brings together diverse perspectives and expertise. This multidimensional approach will help us navigate the complex landscape of data science, fostering innovation while ensuring responsible practices and addressing the intricate challenges that this technology presents in our ever-evolving society."
In addition to his current role at Liaison, Hannah co-founded a company called Othot in 2014, which is now part of Liaison and has a presence in Carnegie. Othot utilizes data science to provide colleges and universities with data and analytics that allows them to better engage, enroll and retain students.
"Responsible data science is about the people, the communication, and the applications that are influenced by this powerful technology. Andy is ideal for this assignment," Michael Colaresi, associate vice provost for data science at the University of Pittsburgh, said in a release. "He understands the fast-moving applications of data science, best practices, and societal implications. As a faculty member, he appreciates our focus on students and in helping them to be the future of the workforce, and he also has practical and valuable industry experience.”
