Today's Messages

The Fall 2025 Data Science and Analytics Seminar Series presents "Humans, Design, and Al: Reclaiming the Human Perspective in an Algorithmic Age," featuring invited speaker Danielle Ophir, head of product at Recovery Jobs, on Monday, October 20, from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. in Bacon Hall 115 (Zoom 718 6340613). 

The presentation will:

• Explore the central question of modern design: Whose needs are we serving?
• Examine how Al complicated traditional design ethics by shifting focus from user needs to data-driven optimization.
• Learn how to design for genuine human needs through empathy mapping, user research, and behavioral insights.
• Discover practical design methods for building Al tools that empower, rather than manipulate, their users. 

Danielle Ophir is a product and UX designer specializing in human-centered Al design. She currently serves as head of product at Recovery Jobs, where she leads the development of Al-driven job placement tools for the recovery community. Ophir's work bridges design, technology, and ethics, with experience spanning industries from food safety to addiction recovery. She holds a B.F.A. and B.A. from Haifa University and professional certifications in UX/UI design and front-end development. Her approach combines design thinking, systems thinking, and behavioral research to create products that are transparent, inclusive, and genuinely human-centered. She has also led projects for major clients such as Verizon, PepsiCo, and General Mills, and was a finalist in the 2024 Buffalo Emerging Technology Awards in the "Rising Star" category.