SoDa Symposium for Privacy Week: Prof. Rochelle E. Tractenberg - January 28, 2025 | UMD INFO College

SoDa Symposium for Privacy Week: From Dialogue to Data: How Statisticians Can Safeguard Privacy and Promote Trust in LLMs
Prof. Rochelle E. Tractenberg
Director, Collaborative for Research on Outcomes and -Metrics Co-Director, National Capital Spinal Cord Injury Model System (NC-SCIMS)
Professor, Departments of Neurology; Biostatistics, Bioinformatics & Biomathematics; and Rehabilitation Medicine
Georgetown University
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Abstract:
Generative AI and large language models are unleashing unprecedented capabilities in data processing, but they also raise serious questions about protecting the individuals and organizations whose data fuel these models. In this talk, I will bridge ethical frameworks from statistics, computing, and mathematics to illustrate how statisticians can help ensure privacy is more than a buzzword. As large language models (LLMs) blur the boundaries between data, dialogue, and personal expression, statisticians play a pivotal role in shaping responsible AI practices. This talk explores how principles from statistics, computing, and mathematics can help safeguard privacy in language-based systems and cultivate (deeper) public trust. Rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all formula, we will reflect on the key question: How can we balance transparency, accountability, and intellectual freedom in an environment where AI may inadvertently expose sensitive information? Drawing on ethical frameworks and real-world examples, we’ll highlight the potential for statisticians to steer LLM developments in ways that honor human autonomy, encourage fairness, and uphold the spirit of confidentiality-ultimately fostering more trustworthy AI. By combining methodological rigor with ethical deliberation, statisticians have a unique role to play in defending privacy norms, cultivating transparency, and embedding responsible AI practices across research and industry.
University of Maryland College of Information Studies (UMD INFO College)
To support our students and support our school, consider giving today: ischool.umd.ed...
Website: ischool.umd.edu
Facebook: / infocollegeumd1
Twitter: / infocollegeumd
Instagram: / infocollegeumd
LinkedIn: / infocollegeumd
#UMDINFOTalks