Hi my name is Erin Pangilinan.
Shameless plug: I previously published the O’Reilly Media book, Creating Augmented and Virtual Realities: Theory and Practice for Next-Generation Spatial Computing, which is distributing 2 dozen countries and will be translated into Chinese and Korean later this year.
I am currently working on my next book, Designing Our Virtual Futures: Building A Framework for Human Centered Technology which covers the technology of AI, AR, VR, and blockchain. Prior I was also a fellow in the Oculus Launch Pad program. Currently also working as a startup adviser for early stage startups in the blockchain/cryptocurrency/eSports spaces debating if I’ll stay permanently FT in AR VR as this other spaces has grown exponentially and with principles related more aligned to my values and ethics than in others with more centralized philosophies.
I am a software engineer and computational designer hybrid (I code and design, the two for me are not mutually exclusive and it’s been a challenge to fight dominant paradigms that I feel compartmentalize many spaces that are actually interdisciplinary and are well understood in combination, one without the other for me is hard for any product to scale and suffice).
Early in my career, I worked electoral and issue-based campaigns, in particular for electoral campaigns to elect Barack Obama (Obama for America) and Ro Khanna (Ro for Congress) - who is currently the chair of the Bernie Sanders campaign (no that’s not an endorsement, I have friends in every party and electoral candidate campaign camp), ranging from roles in digital strategy, fundraising, ethnic media outreach, press, and more etc.
I was also a previous student in the USF Deep Learning Program and a Diversity there as well for two terms and it’s been a privilege to learn from Rachel and Jeremy in a manner that was more accessible than any other courses in AI that I have taken.
My interest in this subject has to do with human centered design in emerging tech and coming up with different frameworks and perspectives on the topic which range from anti (opt-out solutions), to modified solutions, and those who are not in the picture at all (those who are stuck as end consumers that may have less technical knowledge in general) that are impacted by the technologies that billions use everyday.
Lastly, I co-founded 2 diversity and inclusion non-profits, national 501©(3) non-profit, FilipinX Americans in STEAM (FASTER) and ARVR Academy, focused on women and underrepresented communities in emerging tech, with focuses on education, professional development, and innovation.