IEEE WIE AG Schenectady is going to organize WIE Distinguished Lecture (virtual webinar) on “Human System Engineering Initiatives: From Human Views to Human Readiness Levels” on 5 June 2026, Friday, 12-1 pm EDT. The speaker is Holly A. H. Handley, PhD, PE, the Interim Dean of the Interdisciplinary Schools and a Professor in the Engineering Management and System Engineering Department of Old Dominion University (ODU). This talk discusses the role of Human System Engineering within the System Engineering discipline. It describes two initiatives that are enabling better integration of humans and systems. The Human Views comprise a system architecture viewpoint that provides a perspective on the human roles, activities, and information flows required by a complex system. The Human Readiness Levels assess the degree to which human-focused requirements are incorporated into design decisions and the readiness of a system to interact with its human operator. Together these two efforts encourage System Engineering for the total system by supporting a comprehensive integration of the human component into the systems engineering effort, which is critical to the design, development, and operation of successful systems. Current standards and applications of both initiatives will be included. Speaker(s): Holly Handley Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/550987

Please Join Us: Distinguished Talk before Seattle Section EXCOM Tuesday, April 14 6:00–7:00 PM — Featured Speech Featured Speaker: Dr. Sheree Wen Title: How Can AI Data Centers Benefit Both the Environment and Society? Abstract: AI data centers are rapidly expanding and are among the most energy-intensive infrastructure of our time, consuming power comparable to that of entire cities such as Seattle or Silicon Valley. Their water usage is also approaching that of large urban regions. In some areas of the United States, this unprecedented demand has already led to harmonic disturbances, power fluctuations, and, in extreme cases, risks of grid instability. This talk will explore and analyze the environmental and energy challenges posed by AI data centers. Dr. Wen will present both near-term and long-term solutions, including innovative approaches to reducing energy consumption, minimizing environmental impact, and enabling sustainable, high-performance AI infrastructure for the future. Don’t miss this timely and impactful discussion on shaping a sustainable AI-powered world. Bio Dr. Sheree Wen served as the United States National Commissioner to UNESCO – the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization- and is currently the President of UNESCO Washington State. Dr. Wen earned her Ph.D. in Engineering, Solid State Physics, and Statistics from UC Berkeley. After her Ph.D., she joined IBM Research. Nominated and recognized by several international Academicians. She was awarded the Young Scientist of the Year award and a gold medal. She solved critical issues that hindered the rollout of the world’s first MIP computer systems, making major contributions. She served in senior management at IBM, where she was responsible for corporate technical strategies, worldwide manufacturing, corporate quality, and university grants. Dr. Sheree Wen later built companies that researched and developed innovative products. She established factories in Asia and Yonkers, New York, producing leading-edge electronic products supplied to the Federal Government, including the DOD, DOA, NAVY, Chief of Staff, and state and local governments. Her factories made OEM products under the names of IBM, AT&T, Unisys, and the Wen brand. Her products were distributed worldwide through brand stores, wholesale, and chain stores, including Walmart, Sam’s Club, OEM outlets, and major distributors. Her companies were recognized as 5-star quality suppliers by NASA and Boeing; She was awarded the United States Small Business Administration’s Award of Excellence. Dr. Wen was the Inventor of the first innovative hacker-free LCD display, awarded leadership certificates by the Department of Defense (DOD). At IEEE, Dr. Wen has served in multiple leadership roles, including Chair of the IEEE Humanitarian Partnership. Chair of the IEEE USA Communication Policy Committee and Cybersecurity Committee. Region 6 Chair of Women in Engineering. Region 6 Chair of the Government Relations Committee. Vice Chair of the IEEE USA R&D Policy Committee Region 6 Chair of the AI Initiative Chair of the IEEE Seattle Section. Dr. Wen also organized conferences and Chair of the 2024 IEEE 140th Anniversary, Innovation Renaissance across three centuries, 2024 IEEE World leaders AI Summit, AI enablement workshops, Best of AI online workshops, Sip and Inspire with AI receptions. The General Chair of the 2025 IEEE New Era AI World Leaders Summit: Uniting Satellite, Humanity, and the Smart World, a landmark conference that brought together global leaders, corporate executives, and academic experts. Event details are available at https://attend.ieee.org/neweraai25/ Vice Chair of the IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC 15) Throughout the years, Sheree has devoted herself to the public good. She serves on numerous non-profit boards and donates generously to support causes. The United States National Commissioner to UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Deputy Mayor of the City of Medina, WA Chair of UNESCO Women Artists United States Committee on International Council on Monuments and Sites (US/ICOMOS) Washington State Emergency Management Committee. Washington State Art Commission Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) Board Pacific Northwest Ballet Board The University of Washington Library Board. Puget Sound Research Council (PSRC) Economic Development Board Westchester County, NY Economic Development Board. King County Emergency Management Advisory Committee Washington First Robotics UW Bothell Technology Advisory Board She contributes numerous technical white papers to the United States Senate, Congress, WA State, and local governments, and participates in many committees and boards. She holds many patents and has published multiple technical papers. Awards and Recognitions Young Scientist of the Year; the Robert Hardy Lansing Gold Medal, IBM Achievement Awards, and two IBM Invention Awards, Leadership Certificate by DOD, Top Women Supplier – NASA, Boeing. NASA 5 Star Quality Award The United States Small Business Administrator’s Award of Excellence. Featured as a top woman entrepreneur by The New York Times Featured as a 20th-century Asian Professional Woman by Japan’s Asahi News YWCA in Westchester, NY, named its women’s residence Dr. Sheree Wen Sisters’ Village. Parking Link: To reserve parking, click on the following link: https://www.offstreet.io/events/P7HVWR36 and enter your vehicle license plate. Co-sponsored by: Priyank Desai , Mike Stiber, Neha Shetty, Shiny Abraham Agenda: Tuesday, April 14th , 2026, 6 PM- 8:30 PM 6 PM-6:50 PM Speech- How Can AI Data Centers Benefit Both the Environment and Society? 7 PM – 8:30 PM EXCOM meeting Parking Link : To reserve parking, click on the following link: https://www.offstreet.io/events/RKLSDC5K Room: 142, Bldg: Harding Building, 1215 E Columbia St (Central District) Seattle, WA 98122Read more, Seattle , Washington, United States, 98122, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/553633

Please Join Us: IEEE Seattle EXCOM & Distinguished Talk Tuesday, April 14 6:00–7:00 PM — Featured Speech 7:00–8:00 PM — IEEE Seattle EXCOM Meeting Featured Speaker: Dr. Sheree Wen Title: How Can AI Data Centers Benefit Both the Environment and Society? Abstract: AI data centers are rapidly expanding and are among the most energy-intensive infrastructures of our time—consuming power comparable to entire cities such as Seattle or Silicon Valley. Their water usage is also approaching that of large urban regions. In some areas of the United States, this unprecedented demand has already led to harmonic disturbances, power fluctuations, and, in extreme cases, risks of grid instability. This talk will explore and analyze the environmental and energy challenges posed by AI data centers. Dr. Wen will present both near-term and long-term solutions, including innovative approaches to reducing energy consumption, minimizing environmental impact, and enabling sustainable, high-performance AI infrastructure for the future. Don’t miss this timely and impactful discussion on shaping a sustainable AI-powered world. Bio Dr. Sheree Wen served as the United States National Commissioner to UNESCO – the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization- and is currently the President of UNESCO Washington State. Dr. Wen earned her Ph.D. in Engineering, Solid State Physics, and Statistics from UC Berkeley. After her Ph.D., she joined IBM Research. Nominated and recognized by several international Academicians. She was awarded the Young Scientist of the Year award and a gold medal. She solved critical issues that hindered the rollout of the world’s first MIP computer systems, making major contributions. She served in senior management at IBM, where she was responsible for corporate technical strategies, worldwide manufacturing, corporate quality, and university grants. Dr. Sheree Wen later built companies that researched and developed innovative products. She established factories in Asia and Yonkers, New York, producing leading-edge electronic products supplied to the Federal Government, including the DOD, DOA, NAVY, Chief of Staff, and state and local governments. Her factories made OEM products under the names of IBM, AT&T, Unisys, and the Wen brand. Her products were distributed worldwide through brand stores, wholesale, and chain stores, including Walmart, Sam’s Club, OEM outlets, and major distributors. Her companies were recognized as 5-star quality suppliers by NASA and Boeing; She was awarded the United States Small Business Administration’s Award of Excellence. Dr. Wen was the Inventor of the first innovative hacker-free LCD display, awarded leadership certificates by the Department of Defense (DOD). At IEEE, Dr. Wen has served in multiple leadership roles, including Chair of the IEEE Humanitarian Partnership. Chair of the IEEE USA Communication Policy Committee and Cybersecurity Committee. Region 6 Chair of Women in Engineering. Region 6 Chair of the Government Relations Committee. Vice Chair of the IEEE USA R&D Policy Committee Region 6 Chair of the AI Initiative Chair of the IEEE Seattle Section. Dr. Wen also organized conferences and Chair of the 2024 IEEE 140th Anniversary, Innovation Renaissance across three centuries, 2024 IEEE World leaders AI Summit, AI enablement workshops, Best of AI online workshops, Sip and Inspire with AI receptions. The General Chair of the 2025 IEEE New Era AI World Leaders Summit: Uniting Satellite, Humanity, and the Smart World, a landmark conference that brought together global leaders, corporate executives, and academic experts. Event details are available at https://attend.ieee.org/neweraai25/ Vice Chair of the IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC 15) Throughout the years, Sheree has devoted herself to the public good. She serves on numerous non-profit boards and donates generously to support causes. The United States National Commissioner to UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Deputy Mayor of the City of Medina, WA Chair of UNESCO Women Artists United States Committee on International Council on Monuments and Sites (US/ICOMOS) Washington State Emergency Management Committee. Washington State Art Commission Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) Board Pacific Northwest Ballet Board The University of Washington Library Board. Puget Sound Research Council (PSRC) Economic Development Board Westchester County, NY Economic Development Board. King County Emergency Management Advisory Committee Washington First Robotics UW Bothell Technology Advisory Board She contributes numerous technical white papers to the United States Senate, Congress, WA State, and local governments, and participates in many committees and boards. She holds many patents and has published multiple technical papers. Awards and Recognitions Young Scientist of the Year; the Robert Hardy Lansing Gold Medal, IBM Achievement Awards, and two IBM Invention Awards, Leadership Certificate by DOD, Top Women Supplier – NASA, Boeing. NASA 5 Star Quality Award The United States Small Business Administrator’s Award of Excellence. Featured as a top woman entrepreneur by The New York Times Featured as a 20th-century Asian Professional Woman by Japan’s Asahi News YWCA in Westchester, NY, named its women’s residence Dr. Sheree Wen Sisters’ Village. Parking Link: To reserve parking, click on the following link: https://www.offstreet.io/events/P7HVWR36 and enter your vehicle license plate. Co-sponsored by: Priyank Desai , Mike Stiber, Neha Shetty, Shiny Abraham Agenda: Tuesday, April 14th , 2026, 6 PM- 8:30 PM 6 PM-6:50 PM Speech- How Can AI Data Centers Benefit Both the Environment and Society? 7 PM – 8:30 PM EXCOM meeting 1) Approve of March 10th 2026, meeting minutes 2) Treasure report, 3) IEEE USA Congressional Vising Day CVD highlights. 4) Session Business. 5) Chapter, affinity Group, and Student Branch report. 6) Other Business. Parking Link To reserve parking, click on the following link: https://www.offstreet.io/events/RKLSDC5K Room: 142, Bldg: Harding Building, 1215 E Columbia St (Central District) Seattle, WA 98122Read more, Seattle , Washington, United States, 98122, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/553204