BU Online MS in Data Science 'AI for Leaders' interview: Beth Logan, Roku

About the AI Leader: Beth Logan, PhD, is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in data science and voice technology, currently serving as Vice President of Data Science & Voice at Roku Inc. since November 2019. Prior to this role, Beth held various leadership positions at dataxu, a Boston-based Ad Tech company from March 2009 to November 2019, including Chief Data Scientist. Earlier career experiences included a Senior Research Engineer role at Intel Digital Health and research positions at Hewlett Packard and Compaq, focusing on machine learning, data analysis, and speech recognition. Beth’s academic credentials include a PhD from the University of Cambridge, UK, and dual degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from The University of Queensland, Australia.

About the 'AI for Leaders' Online MSDS Course at Boston University: The “AI for Leaders” course series shows learners the real-world impact of AI across industries. The required module invites practitioners across varied fields to engage in a lively live-streamed conversation where students can engage and ask questions.

Topics covered include incorporating AI into a business strategy, navigating ethical and regulatory considerations, explaining AI-driven decisions to stakeholders, emerging AI technologies and their potential impacts, basic concepts of bias and fairness in AI, and privacy, covering everything from General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to personalization.

Interview with AI Leader Beth Logan, VP of Data Science & Voice, Roku

0:00 - Introduction

1:29 - You obtained a PhD doing research on speech recognition. What prompted your transition from academia to industry? Did you always envision making this kind of move?

4:10 - How does the research that you did in your PhD continue to affect your current role and the kinds of opportunities that you chose to pursue?

7:04 - How has data science impacted your career? Has it impacted the types of skills that people enter industry with? What allowed you to step into a data science role?

11:42 - You have worked in technical roles, leadership for technical roles, and then as a VP. How do these roles differ? What led you to take on different types of leadership roles?

16:40 - It seems like you have taken on more of a role in the business side of Roku. How should engineers and data scientists think about the business side of what they are building?

19:20 - Our students are always curious about what qualities make for a good hire. What skills do you look for in new hires? What stands out to you as qualities that will make for a good team member?

39:18 - Closing

Learn more about Boston University's Online Master's in Data Sciences: https://www.bu.edu/cds-faculty/progra...