Iowa
Technology
Summit
INNOVATION TRACK
Adopting AI Tools the Ethical, Human-Centered Way
APR. 7 / 10:25 AM - 10:55 AM / MINI KEYNOTE
About
This session explores how organizations can adopt AI tools responsibly through practical, human-centered governance. The conversation centers on the responsibility technology leaders carry when deploying vendor-provided AI tools into real organizations.
Attendees will learn how to evaluate AI use cases for risk, bias, privacy, and workforce impact, and how to apply governance principles inspired by frameworks such as NIST in a way that is accessible, non-technical, and actionable. The focus is on using AI to augment human decision-making and productivity—without eroding trust, ethics, transparency, or long-term sustainability.
Takeaways
- A leadership-level perspective on adopting socially responsible AI tools, including the role of governance, oversight, and accountability
- Practical ways to assess AI use cases for ethical, operational, and human-impact risks—especially when tools are purchased rather than built
- Strategies for ensuring AI augments human judgment and productivity, rather than replacing people or undermining trust
Speaker
Phillip Shaka
Senior Director of Technology & Strategy
Primary Health Care (PHC)
Phillip Shaka is the Senior Director of Technology and Strategy at Primary Health Care, a large Federally Qualified Health Center serving more than 40,000 patients across Iowa. With over 25 years of technology leadership experience in the nonprofit healthcare sector, Phillip oversees enterprise IT, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and the organization’s EPIC EHR ecosystem. He has led major initiatives in AI readiness, telehealth expansion, data governance, and operational workflow modernization—always with a focus on ethical innovation and human-centered design.
Phillip’s work bridges technology and strategy, helping executive teams understand the real-world implications of emerging tools while ensuring safety, privacy, and equitable adoption. As organizations increasingly turn to AI to boost efficiency, reduce complexity, and support frontline teams, Phillip champions responsible governance frameworks that balance innovation with transparency and trust. His passion is empowering organizations to use AI as a force multiplier for people—not a replacement for them.
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