Kenny Chen, Co-Founder
Kenny Chen is a Co-Founder and former Executive Director of the Partnership to Advance Responsible Technology (PART). Throughout his career, he has worked with a global network of expert stakeholders from public, private, academic, and nonprofit backgrounds to create unique and collaborative solutions to complex problem areas. To complement his work at PART, Kenny serves a variety of additional roles in organizations where technology meets social impact. He is the Founder of Pittsburgh AI, Outreach Committee Member for AI Commons, Curator for Global Shapers Pittsburgh, XPRIZE Ambassador, Techstars Community Leader, and board member at the Pittsburgh Entrepreneurs Forum and Social Venture Partners Pittsburgh.
Alka Patel
Alka Patel is the Direcor of Technology and Security Policy at the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy. Prior to joining the State Department, Patel was the Regional Vice President of Government and External Affairs at Comcast and previously served as the Head of AI Ethics Policy at the Department of Defense’s Joint AI Center. Prior, she was the inaugural Deputy Director of the Risk and Regulatory Services Innovation Center at Carnegie Mellon University where she was responsible for Center’s industry sponsor’s research efforts, university collaboration and thought leadership. In addition to leading the start-up of the $11 million Center, including developing and executing Center strategy, operations, and finances, she worked with the industry sponsor’s work in innovation and digital transformation in the area of data analytics, cybersecurity/privacy, and artificial intelligence. Working at the intersection of technology, law and business, Alka has over 15 years of industry experience and most recently was Managing Director and Senior Counsel at BNY Mellon for the Treasury Services business line where she was responsible for negotiating contracts globally and addressing privacy and HIPAA-related matters. Prior to her role at BNY Mellon, Alka, a registered patent attorney, worked in private practice where she represented start-ups, universities, and Fortune 500 companies to protect and address their technology and intellectual property needs.