John Havens

John C. Havens is Executive Director of The IEEE Global Initiative for Ethical Considerations in Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems. The IEEE Global Initiative is charged with creating and iterating the document, Ethically Aligned Design: A Vision for Prioritizing Human Wellbeing with Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems that provides dozens of recommendations for values-driven Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems as well standards recommendations. Guided by over two hundred thought leaders, The IEEE Global Initiative has a mission of ensuring every technologist is educated, trained, and empowered to prioritize ethical considerations in the design and development of autonomous and intelligent systems. John is also a regular contributor on issues of technology and wellbeing to Mashable, The Guardian, HuffPo and TechCrunch and is author of the books, Heartificial Intelligence: Embracing Our Humanity To Maximize Machines and Hacking Happiness: Why Your Personal Data Counts and How Tracking it Can Change the World Picture John's Idea for the Happiness Movement:

The proliferation of algorithms in our lives along with enhanced computing capabilities has led to some of the most powerful dating apps and services humankind has ever known. On average, most services along these lines require up to five hundred pieces of individualized data providing a highly nuanced picture of who a person is and how they define their own happiness in terms of a partner or a date.

What if these same services could be utilized to map the people nearby whose well-being needs a boost? What if everyone could identify what brings them a sense of "flow" in positive psychology terms, and be matched with someone at the exact moment that needs those very skills? The science of compassion shows that when we display an act of kindness towards someone else both people involved in the moment increase their well-being. Plus, anyone watching the interaction also experiences similar spikes in well-being that goes beyond the instant gratification of consumerism.

By utilizing emerging tools to identify and match us with each other, we can put away the tech to connect. This is a way I'd like to help inspire the realization of the happiness movement which really is complementing directional volunteerism. But rather than swipe left or right to find a date, we could all set a date to make things right with our neighbors, community, and planet.