From shaping global AI policy to advising the White House, Meredith Whittaker stands at the forefront of tech innovation and ethical AI. Now she’s coming to Australia to be the first keynote speaker at SXSW Sydney in October.
Named among the 100 most influential people in AI by TIME magazine in 2023, Meredith is the President of Signal. She is dedicated to ethical technology and privacy and addressing the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on society.
“AI is not magic; it is made by humans, and it reflects the values and decisions of those who build it,” says Meredith.
During her 13 years at Google, she founded Google’s Open Research group and co-founded the M-Lab. She was also a key organiser of the Google Walkouts and resigned from the company in July 2019.
“Google is a powerful company with significant influence over how technology shapes society,” she said at the time. “It’s vital that this power is wielded responsibly and with transparency.”
Her academic work has significantly contributed to shaping global AI policy, and has provided a critical examination of AI helping to shift the public narrative. She has illuminated the often-overlooked aspects of AI, such as the surveillance business practices and the concentration of industrial resources required for modern AI systems.
At SXSW Sydney, Meredith’s keynote is expected to delve into the imperative for ethical considerations in its development and deployment.
This year’s event will include speaker Sandy Carter who emphasises, “Don’t fear AI—fear businesses that reject it. The real threat is missing its transformative potential.” Sandy, a best-selling author and tech industry expert, is the COO of Unstoppable Domains, offering user-owned digital identities through Web3 technology.
Another exciting speaker at this year’s SXSW Sydney is Paige Costello, Vice President of Product at Figma, a collaborative design platform for digital product teams. Previously, she led Core Product and AI at Asana.
Rohit Agarwal, Managing Director of Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India & SEA), a venture capital firm investing across India, Southeast Asia, is also flying in to speak at the event. Over 17 years, Peak XV has managed over $9bn in capital across 13 funds and invested in over 400 companies.
The 7 day SXSW Sydney event, now in its third year, will include over 1600 sessions and 400+ conference sessions, and 150 professional development when it returns on October 13 – 19. You can read about Women Love Tech’s event last year, here.
Top Quotes from Meredith Whittaker
About Women in Tech
“The tech industry needs to make a concerted effort to not only include women but also to value their contributions and perspectives.” – Meredith Whittaker
About Data Privacy
“Data privacy isn’t just about protecting information; it’s about preserving the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals in a digital world.” – Meredith Whittaker
About The Future of Tech
“The future of technology should not be dictated by a few powerful entities but shaped by diverse voices and a commitment to the public good.” – Meredith Whittaker
