Social Issues In Technology
Kevin R Thompson Overview:
Fear: Public backlash over unethical tech is rising (e.g., Meta’s mental health lawsuits, biased AI in hiring).
Uncertainty: Can your organization navigate new regulations like the EU’s Digital Services Act?
Doubt: Is your team prepared to address tech’s societal impacts proactively?
Marketing Pitch:
"85% of CEOs say social responsibility is critical to tech adoption (PwC). This course helps you:
- Avoid reputational damage by identifying ethical blind spots in products
- Future-proof operations against tightening tech regulations
- Build inclusive tech that serves diverse communities
Ideal for anyone shaping the future of tech-before backlash shapes it for you."
Why you should Attend:
This session tackles pressing sociotechnical dilemmas:
- Digital Divide: How tech exacerbates inequality (e.g., rural broadband gaps, AI job displacement)
- Privacy vs. Innovation: Surveillance capitalism and GDPR compliance
- Misinformation: Algorithms fueling polarization (case study: election interference)
- Ethical Design: Participatory frameworks to center marginalized voices
- Includes group discussions on real-world scenarios (e.g., gig worker rights, addictive app design)
Areas Covered in the Session:
- Top 5 Social Risks in Tech (Bias, Privacy, Labor, Environment, Democracy)
- Case Study: Twitter’s moderation failures during crises
- Role-play: Balancing profit and ethics as a tech startup CEO
- Template: Social Impact Assessment for Tech Project
Who Will Benefit:
- Product Managers
- UX Designers
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Teams
- Tech Policy Analysts
- NGO/Advocacy Groups
Speaker Profile
Kevin R. Thompson is an experienced GRC (Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance) and HITRUST Consulting Specialist with over a decade of expertise in enhancing organizations' cybersecurity and compliance frameworks. With certifications including CCSFP (Certified HITRUST CSF Practitioner) and CHSPA (Certified HIPAA Security Professional), Kevin has a proven track record of leading high-impact projects across various regulatory landscapes such as HIPAA, SOC, FEDRAMP, PCI, GDPR, and NIST.
Kevin's career spans roles as a vCISO Support Manager at Sunstone Secure, where he directed comprehensive cybersecurity initiatives, and as a GRC/HITRUST Manager at Cognizant, where he oversaw HITRUST certification and compliance projects. His proficiency in leveraging AI tools like Google Gemini and ChatGPT has empowered him to craft robust policies, training materials, and KPI presentations that align regulatory requirements with business objectives.
With strong skills in risk management, policy development, and audit processes, Kevin brings a wealth of experience in corporate governance, incident response, and data privacy. His deep understanding of cybersecurity frameworks, combined with his ability to drive operational efficiency and mitigate risks, makes him an expert in delivering impactful training and consultancy in governance and compliance.
Certifications:
Certified HITRUST CSF Practitioner (CCSFP)
Certified HIPAA Security Professional Accelerated (CHSPA)
Core Competencies:
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
Policy Development & Corporate Governance
Incident Response & Audit Processes