Tech Bytes--4/8/2025

In this episode of The Gateway, we are thrilled to interview Libby Heeren, a data science educator and data community builder who wants to help data people cultivate a supportive and inclusive community of practice where they can really feel like they belong. She talks a lot about the benefits of making genuine human connections, the power of vulnerability, and why we all benefit when we show up as our whole selves as data people. Her motto is: data science is not one thing."

For this episode of Tech Bytes, the guys discuss how AI evaluates humans through hiring tools and dating apps.

For this episode of the Gateway, we are excited to welcome Dr. Mahesh Subramony. Mahesh is a Presidential Research Professor and Professor of Management at Northern Illinois University in USA. His research program is currently dedicated to understanding how frontline workers are being affected by a perfect storm of social, economic, ecological, and technological forces; and how service-work can be positively transformed to benefit workers, customers, organizations, and the society-at-large. Mahesh’s scholarly publications have appeared in leading business journals including, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Management, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Academy of Management Journal, Human Resource Management, and the Journal of Service Research. He is on the editorial boards of prominent journals including Human Resource Management, Human Resource Management Journal, Journal of Organizational Behavior, and Journal of Business and Psychology; and has served as associate editor for Journal of Business Research, Journal of Service Management, and the Journal of Service Research.

For this episode, The Gateway is excited to welcome David John Baker, the director and founder of Redgranite Group. His consultancy provides expert data services to small-to-medium sized companies looking to fully leverage their own data to make the best strategic use of the resources they have today. David also develops data products within his area of expertise: the performing arts, higher education, and audio branding.

For this episode, the guys discuss the impact artificial intelligence may have on our interactions as a society. Reference: https://qz.com/open-ai-sam-altman-chatgpt-gpt4-please-thank-you-1851777047

For this episode of Tech Bytes, the guys discuss AI's impact on the future of learning.

For this episode of The Gateway, we are excited to welcome Samarth Shiramshetty, Samarth is a Northern Illinois University graduate student pursuing a degree in Management Information Systems. During Samarth's time at NIU, he has been able to pursue a plethora of opportunities---one including TreeHacks where Samarth's team won the education area with their development of HiveMInd.

For this episode, The Gateway is excited to welcome Ashley Bartelt. Ashley is the Program Director of the HASC Writing Center at Northern Illinois University. With a background in nonprofit administration, retail, and higher education, she has spent over a decade supporting students, faculty, and staff with their academic and professional writing. As part of her current role, she explores how generative AI can be a powerful tool for streamlining writing processes while emphasizing the critical skill of assessing and refining AI-generated work to ensure accuracy, quality, and effectiveness.

For this episode, The Gateway is excited to welcome Tyler Otto is an analytics professional with over a decade of experience in data science ranging from the fintech space to medical aesthetics. He has a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and a Master's in Analytics from LSU.

In this episode, The Gateway was thrilled Mélissa M'Raidi-Kechichian (they/them,) a Research and Advocacy Fellow at the Center for AI and Digital Policy. Mélissa is a social entrepreneur and civic tech practitioner working at the intersection of technology, AI regulation, and advocacy. As the founder of Activists Of Tomorrow, they focus on how digital spaces can be used by everyday people to bring meaningful and lasting change to their community. Mélissa is an expert in AI policy, frameworks, and regulation, and has previously worked in the field of AI and digital policy, civic technology, and digital identity. They held several consulting positions in the private sector and is part of the AI ethics Advisory Panel of the Canadian Digital Governance Council. During their free time, Mélissa hosts the podcast they created called Activists of Tech — The Responsible Tech podcast, exploring the intersection of technology and social justice.You can follow it here: https://rss.com/podcasts/activistsoftech/