About Me

Hi, my name is Ian Thompson, and welcome to my page! I am an Eminence fellow in my Senior year with a major in Computer Science and Engineering and a minor in Philosophy.

 

 

 

During my time at Ohio State, I have focused my studies on the relationship technology has with ethics. During my freshman year, I did an independent study examining our understanding of the definition of information and how that has been impacted by technology. Now, in my senior year, I am researching the relationship between bias and fairness as it relates to machine learning, and hope to find a way to identify potential sources of unfairness in a machine learning algorithm from the data it takes in in order to suggest changes.

I also helped start the Applied Ethics and Technology club at OSU, which fosters discussion among students about ethical concerns around technology. This has been an incredible outlet for pursuing my passion of tech ethics, sharing that passion with students, and learning more about how I can strive to be a more ethical person through my work. I firmly believe that computer scientists have a duty to sincerely believe and uphold ethical norms because the systems they create have become increasingly omnipresent. I hope to become the best ethicist I can be so that when I go into the field of computer science I can promote humanity through my work rather than exploit it.

I also believe that technology has the potential to connect us all and help those that need it most in a profound way. To that end, I helped found Vocalize Columbus, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting free clinics in need with interpreters ready to help. Limited English Proficiency (LEP) individuals are on average more financially vulnerable than the average American, and often rely on free clinics to be able to receive healthcare. This language barrier makes it harder for these patients to get the healthcare they need, and so these free clinics rely on costly interpretation services to serve them. Vocalize Columbus helps connect volunteer interpreters with these free clinics through video conferencing. Our online volunteer portal gives clinics access to volunteer interpreters from around the country, so that they can focus their time and resources on serving those who need their services most. Being able to use what I have learned through my education and work experience to create such an impact has been a profound and incredible experience.

Year in Review

Freshman Year

What an incredible year! I met so many great people, I learned so much, and I grew so much as a person and as a scholar. I did an independent study looking into the metaphysics of information, and how being careful of our definition of information can help analysis of big ethical issues involving information and misinformation.I worked on my robot project in FEH, which was a lot of long hours and effort, but seeing the robot change and grow was incredibly satisfying and fun. The end of the year was absolutely crazy, with COVID-19 sending us online for the last few months. This was a challenge for everybody, so seeing everyone work together to solve the problems in front of us was encouraging. Most importantly, though, throughout the whole year I worked with all of the other fellows in my class to start a class project, Cultivate Columbus. I also worked with a few fellows to start Vocalize Columbus. Both of these are incredible projects that I will work hard to see grow.

Sophomore Year

The last few months of last year may have been touched by COVID-19, but this year was defined by it. Everything seemed to freeze as people stayed inside, classes continued online, and all activity slowed down to a stop while we worked together to contain the virus. Every interaction on campus was defined by the virus, from classes being mostly online to friend visits being restricted to those in your own building to campus food being moved entirely to carry-out. Academically, this year was the most difficult one yet, with classes being more difficult and both instructors and students adapting to online life. Despite that, though, everyone is so excited to continue work to improve the world through our class projects, and I am humbled and excited to be a part of them.

G.O.A.L.S.

[ “G.O.A.L.S.” is a place where students write about how their planned, current, and future activities may fit into the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement. For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.

  • Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc.
  • Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.
  • Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.
  • Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.
  • Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.]

Career

[“Career” is where you can collect information about your experiences and skills that will apply to your future career.  Like your resume, this is information that will evolve over time and should be continually updated.  For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

Artifacts

[Artifacts are the items you consider to be representative of your academic interests and achievements. For each entry, include both an artifact and a detailed annotation.  An annotation includes both a description of the artifact and a reflection on why it is important to you, what you learned, and what it means for your next steps.  For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]