Mehar Bhasin
Student at Dartmouth College
Hanover, New Hampshire, USA / Asian/Asian American
👩 she/her/hers
🎓 Computer Science Undergraduate at Dartmouth College
😁 Mehar is passionate about performing arts and has participated in many school productions (musicals, plays, black box) during middle and high school.
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Mehar connects communities of women interested in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence through a global, student-run, tech-focused organization that promotes AI and tech ethics.
ABOUT HER WORK
Mehar has connected communities of women, genderqueer, and non-binary people interested in Computer Science (especially Artificial Intelligence) through STEAM BLOOM, which she cofounded in 2020. STEAM Bloom is a global, student-run, tech-focused organization that promotes AI and tech ethics among females and underrepresented sections across the globe by providing them access to world-class resources and hosting a variety of events for free.
WATCH & DISCUSS
Listen: Session 5: Dr. Lisa Palmer: Ethics in AI
Discuss:
How can technology serve humanity?
What are some examples of how technology serves us with social and climate issues?
How do we build systems that are not biased?
If you have a self-driving car… We don’t want that car to drive on the sidewalk and hit a human. So we must teach that AI car/system to make ethical choices. (10 million dollar mansion vs. a human)
How do you teach the AI to make the choices we want it to make on an ethical journey?
OTHER RESOURCES
ARTICLES
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
ADVICE TO YOUNGER SELF
Mehar first learned computer science in Elementary school (grades PreK-5, ages 5-11)
“As I talk to my younger version, who is 10 years old, I would say that since math is the backbone of Computer Science, you should develop strong math skills. There are plenty of free and low-cost resources which can help you gain valuable knowledge optimally. Also, as you plan to learn practical skills, it is worthwhile to look for learning opportunities, along with friends.”
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HOW HAS MEHAR’S WORK CONTRIBUTED TO OR HARNESSED COMPUTER SCIENCE'S GOOD, NEUTRAL, AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS?
Ethical or Moral Impacts of Computing: “I have encountered issues related to AI ethics and have realized that alignment of artificial intelligence with human values can help foster a world with less bias and more fairness.”
Good: Mehar's efforts with STEAM Bloom have significantly contributed to the good impacts of computing. The organization has connected and empowered communities of women, genderqueer, and non-binary individuals in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. They provide access to valuable resources, host free events, and promote AI and tech ethics among underrepresented groups worldwide. This inclusive approach fosters diversity, educational opportunities, and awareness of AI ethics and human values, contributing positively to the field of computing.
Neutral: Mehar's neutral impact is related to her experience of excessive computer use causing eye strain. This is a personal observation and does not directly relate to her work with STEAM Bloom, which focuses on promoting inclusivity and ethics in computing.
Negative: Mehar acknowledges issues related to AI ethics, particularly bias in AI systems. However, her work with STEAM Bloom aims to address these issues by advancing AI ethics, fairness, accountability, and alignment with human values. While she recognizes these challenges, her work is primarily geared toward mitigating the negative impacts of AI and computing.