Eoin McCarthy
Eoin started his career as a systems engineer. After gaining an MBA at Warwick Business School, Eoin consulted on logistics in manufacturing industry for over ten years, before he retrained in executive development. A Fellow of the Institute of Consulting, he has been a major contributor to developing the work of the Quakers and Business Group in the area of ethics and social justice. Eoin brings his experience in leadership and change to JAAG - driven by personal concerns about the lack of regulation of the development of AI and its impact on society. Eoin lives in Malvern, Worcs with his marriage partner Paula, where they enjoy walking on the hills. He sings with Malvern Cube SIngers and enjoys sailing, yoga and t’ai chi.
Why I work for JAAG?
All algorithms have consequences. Algorithms and machine learning systems are helping businesses get rid of lots of jobs, and disrupt working hours for many others. I am concerned because algorithms have no moral sense, are only as good as the mind of their designers and operators, and are completely unregulated. Many of us feel less than completely comfortable using some digital interfaces, this prevents some of us from benefiting from them at all. This can be seriously excluding, for example with Universal Credit, which is, like many services, digital by default.