IEEE Seattle EXCOM and Speech-April 14th How Can AI Data Centers Benefit Both the Environment and Society? : vTools Events

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IEEE Seattle EXCOM and Speech-April 14th How Can AI Data Centers Benefit Both the Environment and Society?

#artificial-intelligence #automation #decision-making #forecasting #seattle #WIE #data-centers #energy #energy-consumption #environmental-impact #fluctuations #stability

Please Join Us: IEEE Seattle EXCOM & Distinguished Talk

Tuesday, April 14
6:00–7:00 PM — Featured Speech
7:00–8:00 PM — IEEE Seattle EXCOM Meeting

Featured Speaker: Dr. Sheree Wen

Title: How Can AI Data Centers Benefit Both the Environment and Society?

Abstract:
AI data centers are rapidly expanding and are among the most energy-intensive infrastructures of our time—consuming power comparable to entire cities such as Seattle or Silicon Valley. Their water usage is also approaching that of large urban regions.

In some areas of the United States, this unprecedented demand has already led to harmonic disturbances, power fluctuations, and, in extreme cases, risks of grid instability.

This talk will explore and analyze the environmental and energy challenges posed by AI data centers. Dr. Wen will present both near-term and long-term solutions, including innovative approaches to reducing energy consumption, minimizing environmental impact, and enabling sustainable, high-performance AI infrastructure for the future.

Don’t miss this timely and impactful discussion on shaping a sustainable AI-powered world.

Bio

Dr. Sheree Wen served as the United States National Commissioner to UNESCO – the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization- and is currently the President of UNESCO Washington State.

Dr. Wen earned her Ph.D. in Engineering, Solid State Physics, and Statistics from UC Berkeley. After her Ph.D., she joined IBM Research. Nominated and recognized by several international Academicians. She was awarded the Young Scientist of the Year award and a gold medal. She solved critical issues that hindered the rollout of the world's first MIP computer systems, making major contributions. She served in senior management at IBM, where she was responsible for corporate technical strategies, worldwide manufacturing, corporate quality, and university grants.

Dr. Sheree Wen later built companies that researched and developed innovative products. She established factories in Asia and Yonkers, New York, producing leading-edge electronic products supplied to the Federal Government, including the DOD, DOA, NAVY, Chief of Staff, and state and local governments. Her factories made OEM products under the names of IBM, AT&T, Unisys, and the Wen brand. Her products were distributed worldwide through brand stores, wholesale, and chain stores, including Walmart, Sam's Club, OEM outlets, and major distributors.

Her companies were recognized as 5-star quality suppliers by NASA and Boeing; She was awarded the United States Small Business Administration’s Award of Excellence. Dr. Wen was the Inventor of the first innovative hacker-free LCD display, awarded leadership certificates by the Department of Defense (DOD).

At IEEE, Dr. Wen has served in multiple leadership roles, including

Chair of the IEEE Humanitarian Partnership.

Chair of the IEEE USA Communication Policy Committee and Cybersecurity Committee.

Region 6 Chair of Women in Engineering.

Region 6 Chair of the Government Relations Committee.

Vice Chair of the IEEE USA R&D Policy Committee

Region 6 Chair of the AI Initiative

Chair of the IEEE Seattle Section.

Dr. Wen also organized conferences and

Chair of the 2024 IEEE 140th Anniversary, Innovation Renaissance across three centuries,

2024 IEEE World leaders AI Summit, AI enablement workshops, Best of AI online workshops, Sip and Inspire with AI receptions.

The General Chair of the 2025 IEEE New Era AI World Leaders Summit: Uniting Satellite, Humanity, and the Smart World, a landmark conference that brought together global leaders, corporate executives, and academic experts. Event details are available at https://attend.ieee.org/neweraai25/

Vice Chair of the IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC 15)

Throughout the years, Sheree has devoted herself to the public good. She serves on numerous non-profit boards and donates generously to support causes.

The United States National Commissioner to UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.

Deputy Mayor of the City of Medina, WA

Chair of UNESCO Women Artists

United States Committee on International Council on Monuments and Sites (US/ICOMOS)

Washington State Emergency Management Committee.

Washington State Art Commission

Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) Board

Pacific Northwest Ballet Board

The University of Washington Library Board.

Puget Sound Research Council (PSRC) Economic Development Board

Westchester County, NY Economic Development Board.

King County Emergency Management Advisory Committee

Washington First Robotics

UW Bothell Technology Advisory Board

She contributes numerous technical white papers to the United States Senate, Congress, WA State, and local governments, and participates in many committees and boards. She holds many patents and has published multiple technical papers.

Awards and Recognitions

Young Scientist of the Year; the Robert Hardy Lansing Gold Medal,

IBM Achievement Awards, and two IBM Invention Awards,

Leadership Certificate by DOD,

Top Women Supplier – NASA, Boeing.

NASA 5 Star Quality Award

The United States Small Business Administrator’s Award of Excellence.

Featured as a top woman entrepreneur by The New York Times

Featured as a 20th-century Asian Professional Woman by Japan's Asahi News

YWCA in Westchester, NY, named its women's residence Dr. Sheree Wen Sisters’ Village.

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