How Much Do We Trust AI?

Dr. Tasha Austin-Williams is a principal within Deloitte’s Risk and Financial Advisory business, boasting an extensive career of over 25 years in professional services. Her expertise spans the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced data analytics across a multitude of domains, including commercial and federal audits, fraud detection and analysis, dispute resolution and investigations, and within the defense and international affairs sectors.

Dr. Austin-Williams plays a pivotal role in guiding Deloitte’s endeavors within the dynamic domain of artificial intelligence. Her distinctive contributions reside in pioneering innovative, insight-driven solutions that catalyze profound transformation for her clients’ core missions. Dr. Austin-Williams’ day-to-day role includes serving as the lead business partner, actively contributing to the advancement of state diplomacy’s critical mission. More broadly, she provides strategic guidance to C-suite executives and management across the federal community, aiding them in navigating the most intricate and distinctive data challenges facing their agencies. In addition, Dr. Austin-Williams is instrumental in assisting organizations in evaluating their readiness for and adoption of AI solutions.

Dr. Austin-Williams also serves as the Executive Director of Deloitte’s Artificial Intelligence Institute for Government, where she plays a vital role in the organization’s mission to bolster its capabilities in pivotal domains, particularly in the realm of trustworthy and ethical AI. Her portfolio encompasses the significant task of amplifying Deloitte’s thought leadership and digital footprint within the sphere of AI for the public sector. Central to Dr. Austin-Williams’ mandate is the orchestration of a multifaceted ecosystem, drawing together diverse stakeholders comprised of government executives, leaders in nonprofit organizations, academia, policy makers, and technology firms.

Dr. Austin-Williams recently completed her Ph.D. research in artificial intelligence, which focuses on using AI to detect human bias to address disparities in higher education and with financial inclusion. She previously earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mathematics from North Carolina Central University and her MBA from Howard University, and she holds a Certificate in Artificial Intelligence Business Strategy and Applications from University of California, Berkeley, underscoring her commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements and their practical applications.

Dr. Austin-Williams currently serves on several boards, including the Board of Directors for NABA Inc., where she leads the Strategy, Innovation, and Technology Committee, and resides in Bowie, MD, with her family. Her notable achievements were acknowledged in 2023 when she was recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders by Women We Admire. In March 2024, Dr. Austin-Williams was recognized by Deloitte as one of the Top 10 Deloitte AI Trailblazers during Women’s History Month.

Thomas O’Toole is the Assistant Dean for Professional Education at Cornell University’s Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy. With more than 20 years of experience as a successful higher education executive and public affairs educator, Dr. O’Toole collaborates with the Brooks School’s leadership on all aspects of professional degree program operations, including admissions recruitment and marketing, curriculum planning and instructional design, and performance evaluation and quality improvement for Cornell’s residential and executive professional degrees. He also led strategic academic engagement efforts for the Brooks School, including serving as lead for the school’s military student support programs through Service to Service and Service to School, spearheading government and corporate partnerships, cultivating engaged learning projects for students, and overseeing non-degree certificate development with eCornell.

In addition to his administrative portfolio, Dr. O’Toole teaches the MPA program’s core course on “Issues in Public Administration,” the EMPA program’s core course on “Public Administration: A Strategic Planning perspective,” and a seminar on “Comparative Public and Health Administration” taught across the MPA, EMPA, and EMHA programs.

Dr. O’Toole is the recipient of the 2014-2015 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Professional Service. He earned his B.A. in International Relations Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude, from Bucknell University; his MPA from Cornell University; and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Government from Cornell University.