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2018 Speaker Series
Do the Right Thing: HCI in Ethics…Where do we start?
January 2, 2018 - January 4, 2018

Manipulating people to do or feel something has ethical and moral implications. In Computer Human Interaction, our goal is to make it easier for people to accomplish tasks, but at times this can lead to unexpected results
Designers must consider if the desired outcome is in the user’s best interest, which then makes it a moral and ethical issue. Best choices are not always clear cut and they are not the same for everybody. How can we help people do the right thing? How do we know what that is for the individual?
Added to this dilemma is change, the only constant. In the world of user experience design, new devices require new interactions. How do we, as practitioners, continue to expand our perspectives while existing platforms evolve and new platforms emerge?
In 2018, CHIFOO is celebrating its 25th year. We will take up the discussion of ethics in design, user experience, augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence as a framework to examine how our industry has changed, how to be more effective in the present, and how to plan for the future.
Pick and Choose
There are no bones about it this is going to be an excellent year for speakers, but sometimes it will be difficult to come to every meeting. Solve the problem by choosing a design category for the year to help you choose (if you must- we will miss you).
There are three categories of focus in this year’s speaker series: HCI Ethics in Technology (Blue), HCI Ethics in Society (Orange), and HCI Ethics in Research (Green). Each category has been assigned a color so that it can be followed throughout the year more easily.
Now That’s Risky Business: Selling UX to the Security Techies
Andrew Sweany, November 2017
Software for tech savvy system admins and security analysts doesn’t need to be easy to use, right? Wrong.
Is Design Metrically Opposed?
New Relic 111 SW 5th Ave #2700, Portland, ORJared Spool, January 2018
If you’re ready to talk to your teams about what you really need, help management interpret the data, and create analytical experiments that provide design insights, don’t miss this talk.
Wasted Time Isn’t Time Wasted
New Relic 111 SW 5th Ave #2700, Portland, ORCorey Pressman, February 2018
This talk presents a way for us - the makers and thinkers of the science fiction present - to organize our activities so as to include healthy portions of the arts & humanities, experimentation, and daydreaming.
Humanizing Technology For The Betterment All
New Relic 111 SW 5th Ave #2700, Portland, ORElizabeth Bacon, March 2018
What is the fundamental responsibility we have to humanize tech so we all flourish and better software is made?
How To Build an Atomic Bomb
We Work Pioneer Place, 700 SW 5th, Portland, OR 700 SW 5th, Portland, ORMike Monteiro, April 2018
We were supposed to build a better world. Design and technology was supposed to point the way towards utopia. Instead, we designed a nightmare. Find out why this was our fault and what you can do to help fix it.
Breaking the Veil of Research
PNCA 511 NW Broadway, PortlandNancy Frishberg, May 2018
This talk presents a way for us to organize our activities so as to include healthy portions of the arts & humanities, experimentation, and daydreaming.
Quantifying Qualitative Decisions
New Relic 111 SW 5th Ave #2700, Portland, ORLynn Boyden, June 2018
Decisions must account for different factors for multiple stakeholders with differing priorities. How do we meet the challenge that are qualitative in nature?
Ethical Dilemmas & Democratized Proliferation Of AI
PNCA 511 NW Broadway, PortlandTapabrata Ghosh, July 2018
Ethical dilemmas arise from the economic consequences of extended deployment of AI systems. We will learn how to use open source software and decentralized education to proliferate AI tech for all.
Game Night
backstage bar at the bagdad theater 3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, ORJoin us for the CHI-Bowl to enjoy indoor sports and hang out. Dig out your bowling shirt, bowl a few games, or socialize with your friends and colleagues.
Panel Discussion: Ethics in Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
New Relic 111 SW 5th Ave #2700, Portland, ORLeah Noble Davidson | Dr. Juliette Levy | Corey Pressman | Tawny Schlieski , September 2018
This panel will explore ethics in development, design, application, business use, and usability of mixed reality tech. Gain insight from leaders in the tech space, and to apply this new tech in functional ways for your business.
Ethics In The Age Of Artificial Intelligence
MODA Health at the MODA Tower 601 SW 2nd, 11th Floor, Portland, ORCennydd Bowles, October 2018
Participate in a deeper ethical dialogue about emerging technology, and interaction design’s role. This session is informed by many months of research.
“F.U.” Money, Courage, & Ethics in the Workplace
New Relic 111 SW 5th Ave #2700, Portland, ORElena Moon, November 2018
Learn how personal finances play a huge role in silencing us and how financial freedom can lead to finding courage, agency and voice at work.
Now That’s Risky Business: Selling UX to the Security Techies
Andrew Sweany, November 2017
Software for tech savvy system admins and security analysts doesn’t need to be easy to use, right? Wrong.
Is Design Metrically Opposed?
New Relic 111 SW 5th Ave #2700, Portland, ORJared Spool, January 2018
If you’re ready to talk to your teams about what you really need, help management interpret the data, and create analytical experiments that provide design insights, don’t miss this talk.
Wasted Time Isn’t Time Wasted
New Relic 111 SW 5th Ave #2700, Portland, ORCorey Pressman, February 2018
This talk presents a way for us - the makers and thinkers of the science fiction present - to organize our activities so as to include healthy portions of the arts & humanities, experimentation, and daydreaming.
Humanizing Technology For The Betterment All
New Relic 111 SW 5th Ave #2700, Portland, ORElizabeth Bacon, March 2018
What is the fundamental responsibility we have to humanize tech so we all flourish and better software is made?
How To Build an Atomic Bomb
We Work Pioneer Place, 700 SW 5th, Portland, OR 700 SW 5th, Portland, ORMike Monteiro, April 2018
We were supposed to build a better world. Design and technology was supposed to point the way towards utopia. Instead, we designed a nightmare. Find out why this was our fault and what you can do to help fix it.
Breaking the Veil of Research
PNCA 511 NW Broadway, PortlandNancy Frishberg, May 2018
This talk presents a way for us to organize our activities so as to include healthy portions of the arts & humanities, experimentation, and daydreaming.
Quantifying Qualitative Decisions
New Relic 111 SW 5th Ave #2700, Portland, ORLynn Boyden, June 2018
Decisions must account for different factors for multiple stakeholders with differing priorities. How do we meet the challenge that are qualitative in nature?
Ethical Dilemmas & Democratized Proliferation Of AI
PNCA 511 NW Broadway, PortlandTapabrata Ghosh, July 2018
Ethical dilemmas arise from the economic consequences of extended deployment of AI systems. We will learn how to use open source software and decentralized education to proliferate AI tech for all.
Game Night
backstage bar at the bagdad theater 3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, ORJoin us for the CHI-Bowl to enjoy indoor sports and hang out. Dig out your bowling shirt, bowl a few games, or socialize with your friends and colleagues.
Panel Discussion: Ethics in Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
New Relic 111 SW 5th Ave #2700, Portland, ORLeah Noble Davidson | Dr. Juliette Levy | Corey Pressman | Tawny Schlieski , September 2018
This panel will explore ethics in development, design, application, business use, and usability of mixed reality tech. Gain insight from leaders in the tech space, and to apply this new tech in functional ways for your business.
Ethics In The Age Of Artificial Intelligence
MODA Health at the MODA Tower 601 SW 2nd, 11th Floor, Portland, ORCennydd Bowles, October 2018
Participate in a deeper ethical dialogue about emerging technology, and interaction design’s role. This session is informed by many months of research.
“F.U.” Money, Courage, & Ethics in the Workplace
New Relic 111 SW 5th Ave #2700, Portland, ORElena Moon, November 2018
Learn how personal finances play a huge role in silencing us and how financial freedom can lead to finding courage, agency and voice at work.