Indian-American Sivaram Ghorakavi named US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's Deputy Chief Information Officer

June 4 :
The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) named Sivaram Ghorakavi as its new deputy chief information officer (CIO) on June 3. This post carries a high level of responsibility and is filled by a senior executive from the federal agency. The role of Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will also be assumed by Ghorakavi.

On a daily basis, Ghorakavi will be in charge of IT operations, providing expert guidance and leadership for various technology projects and collaborations. To further the EEOC's purpose and long-term objectives, he will be responsible for spearheading technological advances within the agency and establishing collaborations with an emphasis on technology.

According to EEOC chair Charlotte A. Burrows, the hiring of Siva demonstrates the agency's faith in his qualifications to spearhead digital transformation and adapt to new technology for internal operations and law enforcement.

The President's Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) requires all federal agencies to nominate an officer for AI, and his nomination as chief AI officer would be in line with that order. He will be responsible for coordinating AI activities within and across agencies in this capacity.

With its AI and Algorithmic Fairness project and strategic enforcement plan, the EEOC has made it a priority to tackle technological forms of employment discrimination.

For the past fifteen years, Ghorakavi has worked for the federal government in the field of information technology. He was the NLRB's lead data strategist and chief architect before coming to work for the EEOC. The United States Patent and Trademark Office also employed him as their IT portfolio manager.

According to Ghorakavi, the Deputy Chief Information Officer is a visionary leader who prioritises innovation and pioneers technological advancements that support the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) vital objective of guaranteeing equal employment opportunity. "The effectiveness of the EEOC's operations and the enforcement of important workplace protections depend on people understanding the pros and cons of using technology, including AI, and making sure it's used appropriately, when needed, and in reasonable amounts."