Fernanda Viégas
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Principal Scientist
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I'm a principal scientist at Google, where I co-lead the PAIR (People + AI Research) initiative and the Big Picture team. My work in machine learning with Martin Wattenberg, my long-time collaborator, focuses on improving human/AI interaction with a broader agenda of democratizing AI technology. I’m also interested in weaving societal expectations and values into the design and evaluation of AI systems.
I am a data visualization expert, known for my contributions to social and collaborative visualization. The systems my team, Martin and I have created are used daily by millions of people. My passion for making complex data understandable to lay viewers has led me to visualize wind currents, study collaboration patterns in Wikipedia, and create dynamic maps of news around the world. My visualization-based artwork with Martin has been exhibited worldwide, and is part of the permanent collection of Museum of Modern Art in New York. I hold a PhD from the MIT Media Lab. I’m originally from Brazil and miss the jungle and the year-round warm weather in Rio de Janeiro where I grew up. |
Having never met anyone like me (Latina, from a non-technical background) when I first started working in high tech, I am committed to increasing diversity in technological fields. I work with leaders and students to foster dialog and tackle the underrepresentation of women and minorities in computer science.
Keynote: Data Visualization as Exploratory Medium: from Scientific Insight to Artistic Expression
Data is everywhere. And, as more aspects of our lives move to the digital realm, data becomes ever more ubiquitous and powerful. It also becomes more massive and hard to make sense of. In this talk, I'll discuss a variety of ways in which data visualization can help us effectively engage with data: from generating scientific insight and enabling public debate to boosting artistic expression. I'll present projects that illustrate how the coupling of visualization technique and design thinking not only empowers experts, but also welcomes lay viewers into the world of data and statistics.
Meet-the-Speaker:
Fernanda will also participate in a Meet the Speaker session, where you will be able to have a deeper dive conversation about topics covered on the main stage. Accessible to WiDS Worldwide registrants.
Fernanda will also participate in a Meet the Speaker session, where you will be able to have a deeper dive conversation about topics covered on the main stage. Accessible to WiDS Worldwide registrants.