Bloustein School Hosts Alumni Event in Seattle at Microsoft

July 25, 2022
Bloustein School Interim Dean Stuart Shapiro discussed the school’s new Informatics program and the importance of data in policymaking.

Earlier this summer, Bloustein School Interim Dean Stuart Shapiro and Associate Professor of Practice Jim Samuel visited Rutgers alumni in Seattle. Hosted by Microsoft in Redmond, WA, the two discussed the importance of data in policymaking and the usefulness of the Bloustein School’s newest offering, the Master of Public Informatics program.

The June 9 visit was facilitated by Simon Liepold, MPAP ’05, Director & Deputy Chief of Staff at Microsoft, who presented the highlights of Microsoft’s strategic initiatives and technological advancements. He also facilitated a guided tour of Microsoft’s Cybercrime Center.

Lucas A. Meyer, Principal Data Scientist at the Microsoft AI for Good Research Lab, presented projects from Microsoft’s AI for Good Research Lab, which revealed significant insights into ways in which Artificial Intelligence can be used for improving the quality of human life and for social good.

Bloustein alumnus Simon Liepold, MPAP ’05, presented the highlights of Microsoft’s strategic initiatives and technological advancements as well as a tour of Microsoft’s Cybercrime Center.

Professor Samuel, Executive Director of the Master of Public Informatics Program, presented a discussion of “2050: Will Artificial Intelligence Dominate Humans?” The presentation slides may be found at: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4155700

The Bloustein School co-hosted the event with the Rutgers University Alumni Association. On June 8, RUAA also sponsored a Master Coffee Tasting and Coffee Cocktails event at the historic Starbucks Reserve, which was facilitated by Joquoya Murphy, Assistant Director, Regional Engagement – Western U.S., Rutgers University.

More than 3,000 Rutgers alumni live in Washington state. 

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