How Can We Make the AI Data Centers' Infrastructure Sustainable and Benefit Both the Environment and Society?

#artificial-intelligence #automation #decision-making #forecasting #seattle #data-centers #energy #energy-consumption #environmental-impact #fluctuations #stability #WIE
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Please Join Us:  Distinguished Talk  before Seattle Section EXCOM

Tuesday, April 14
6:00–7:00 PM — Featured Speech

This event is prior to  the Seattle section EXCOM

7:00-8:30 PM 

Featured Speaker: Dr. Sheree Wen

Title: How Can We Make the AI Data Centers' Infrastructure Sustainable and Benefit Both the Environment and Society?

Abstract:

AI data centers are rapidly expanding and are among the most energy-intensive infrastructure of our time, consuming power comparable to that of entire cities such as Seattle or Silicon Valley. Their water consumption is also close to, or even exceeds, that of an entire city.

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 breakthroughs in power generation, innovative design to reduce energy consumption and minimize environmental impact, new developments in chip and system design, and the enabling of sustainable, high-performance AI infrastructure for the future. 

In addition, recommend potential solutions to address citizens’ concerns regarding the possible relocation of their homes or businesses due to eminent domain associated with new power transmission and related infrastructure projects.

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 

Dr. Wen has contributed numerous technical white papers to the United States Senate, Congress, Washington State, and local governments, and has actively participated in many committees and boards. She holds multiple patents and has published numerous technical papers. She has served on commissions reviewing research programs at U.S. national laboratories, including nuclear reactors and related facilities. She also served on a Washington State committee that reviewed the Hanford nuclear site.

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.


Parking Link: To reserve parking, click on the following link: https://www.offstreet.io/events/P7HVWR36
and enter your vehicle license plate. 

 

 

 

 



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  • 1215 E Columbia St (Central District) Seattle, WA 98122Read more
  • Seattle , Washington
  • United States 98122
  • Building: Harding Building
  • Room Number: 142
  • Click here for Map

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  • Co-sponsored by Priyank Desai , Mike Stiber, Neha Shetty, Shiny Abraham
  • Starts 08 April 2026 05:40 AM UTC
  • Ends 15 April 2026 02:00 AM UTC
  • No Admission Charge






Agenda

Tuesday, April  14th  , 2026,   6 PM- 8:30 PM

6 PM-6:50 PM   Speech- How Can AI Data Centers Benefit Both the Environment and Society?

7 PM - 8:30 PM  EXCOM meeting

 

 Parking Link  : To reserve parking, click on the following link:  

https://www.offstreet.io/events/RKLSDC5K