Merve Hickok

Merve Hickok is the founder of AIethicist.org and Lighthouse Career Consulting. She is an independent consultant, trainer and social researcher on AI & data ethics. Her work on AI is focused on bias, social justice, DE&I, public benefit and participatory development and governance. She aims to create awareness, build capacity, and advocate for ethical and responsible development & use of AI. Merve's work intersects both AI ethics and AI policy and regulation. She has been recognized by a number of organizations - most recently as one of the 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics™ – 2021

Merve has over 15 years of VP level global experience in Fortune 100, with particular focus on HR technologies, recruitment and DE&I. She is a SHRM Certified Senior HR Professional and Career Coach certified by Neuroleadership Institute. ​

Her current AI-related work:

​>Senior Research Director at Center for AI & Digital Policy

>Data Ethics lecturer at University of Michigan, School of Information

>Founding editorial board member of Springer Nature AI & Ethics journal

>Advisor at Civic Software Foundation

>Fellow at ForHumanity Center working to draft framework for independent audit of AI systems

>Mentor to multiple women in AI & Data space

>Instructor at RMDS Lab providing training on AI & Ethics and responsible AI development and implementation

>Steering Committee Member at Start Access (funded by Dept of Labor, Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT) )

Merve also works with a Nevada-based social enterprise, High Sierra Industries, focused on learning systems for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

She is a member of the board of directors for Northern Nevada International Center (University of Nevada-Reno). NNIC serves as Northern Nevada's refugee resettlement agency to help displaced persons and victims of human trafficking, as well as organizing programs for international delegations through the U.S. Department of State and other federal agencies.