How Technology can be Utilized to Enhance Democracy in Pittsburgh and beyond
The Democratic Process was last enhanced by the invention of the printing press; in the years that followed the American Revolution and the French Revolution paved the way for the idea of democracy we have today. Not since that time has technology provided breakthroughs in communication that once again have the real ability to transform the democratic process - what are those possibilities? This session will look at the use of new media and technology in the advancement of democracy. The creation City of Pittsburgh government iPhone application, government meetings live-streamed on the internet, and instantaneous feedback from constituents and deliberative polling during government hearings are all possible with new technology. What are other current technologies exist and how can we implore our government to give us, the citizens, the tools to make it happen?
Priya is the President and Founder of YinzCam, Inc., a Pittsburgh-based startup focused on live interactive mobile streaming, and other mobile services and applications. She has extensive industrial and research experience in mobile, embedded and distributed technologies. She has received an Alfred Sloan Fellowship, a Carnegie Science Award for Emerging Female Scientist, an Eta Kappa Nu Outstanding Teaching Award, amongst other honors. Priya is also an Associate Professor of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and Director of Carnegie Mellon's Mobility Research Center. She received her Ph.D. in from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Priya can be reached at priya@yinzcam.com.
Paul Fireman is the founder and president of Fireman Creative, a Pittsburgh based advertising and communications firm. He is also founder and president of Vivo. Vivo is a social networking site and consumer electronics product that makes it easy to broadcast live video over the web. Fireman Creative is providing web development, branding and marketing services for Vivo that is now available at Best Buy stores nationally. You can friend him on Facebook and follow FiremanCreative and Vivo on Twitter as well as bike with him on the Great Allegheny Passage.
Jay Resio is founder and president of MyGov365. MyGov365 is a social media platform to bridge the communication gaps between Citizens, Government and Political Professionals; creating a 24/7/365 feedback loop to enhance the legislative and civic process on all levels: local, state and federal.
