Companies are finding all kinds of tasks for AI technology these days, from summarizing financial documents to aiding in legal briefs. But should they?

Part of Kathy Pham’s job as VP of AI and machine learning at HR software giant Workday is to evaluate the risk and efficacy of applying AI to a given function across the company’s sprawling hiring and HR tools. Love or hate its ubiquitous software, the company is using AI in a host of ways, from expediting expense reports to surfacing skills for a job—a tricky task when a growing number of laws are addressing the use of AI in hiring.

Pham is also drawing on experience asking those kinds of questions on a broader scale: She served as executive director of the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee at the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology and held previous roles at the White House and the Federal Trade Commission.

We talked to Pham about why she made the switch to Workday last fall, how she evaluates AI risk at the company, and where AI regulation is headed next.

This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

What brought you to Workday after spending time in the public sector?

My time in the public sector taught me a couple of different things. One is the power of infrastructure that works, and also the power of policies that exist when that infrastructure doesn’t work. And so for me, with Workday, I saw an opportunity to be part of a company that is the system of record for so many other customers, companies, organizations around the world, and one that has been doing it really, really well. And when you have a system of record for people and money data, you can’t mess that up, especially when you think about how to really enhance that work with any kind of AI and machine-learning technologies…What, candidly, was really refreshing was that [Workday] co-president Sayan [Chakraborty] was serving as a member of the National AI Advisory Committee. And he just had this very practical, honest approach to [talking] about AI, the technology itself, what it can and can’t do, and the problems that it should or should not solve. And it was so refreshing to have that perspective amongst a sea of the extremes of AI.

What do you mean by extremes?

If you were to reduce it down to extremes, you have the groups that are [saying], “Let’s put an AI in everything, it’ll solve all the problems.” Then you have the groups that are [saying], “No AI on anything at all, because it will cause so many problems”…And I actually talk to my colleagues a lot about fostering that sense of curiosity, to dive into “What even is this technology?”

Keep reading here.—PK

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TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance are officially taking the US government to court over an April law requiring it to change ownership or face a national ban within a year.

The explosively popular short-form video platform filed a petition last week in the District of Columbia US Circuit Court of Appeals that claims the divestment order prioritizes stated national security concerns over the free flow of ideas.

“For the first time in history, Congress has enacted a law that subjects a single, named speech platform to a permanent, nationwide ban, and bars every American from participating in a unique online community with more than 1 billion people worldwide,” the platform claims in its lawsuit.

Lawmakers cited national security concerns as the motive for the ban, and ByteDance has balked at the idea of divesting. Some, however, point to posts on the app about the Israel-Hamas war as a motivating factor in pushing for a ban.

Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, called the legal challenge “important” in a press release, noting that “we expect it to succeed.”

Keep reading here.—KG

Coworking is a weekly segment where we spotlight Tech Brew readers who work with emerging technologies.

How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in tech?

As a principal data scientist, I manage the entire lifecycle of AI development by leading a team adept at transforming AI concepts into impactful business solutions. A typical day might look like analyzing video streams to ensure workforce safety in manufacturing, building an analytical platform that optimizes the supply chain from inventory management and demand prediction to customer operations, or constructing unique AI solutions to real organizational problems. From the moment you bring us an idea, we’re ready to guide you through the technological possibilities, brainstorm innovations, and meticulously construct a comprehensive solution. Our portfolio is rich with examples, from demand prediction models to generative AI tools for complex data analysis.

My job includes collaborating with industry giants like AWS and Google to harness advanced tools that make visions tangible through our creative solutions. My team doesn’t just build these systems; we also measure their real-world impact, ensuring they meet the challenges our clients face with accuracy, security, and ingenuity. My role in AI development entails leading the team with a clear vision, taking technical ownership of our projects, collaborating with partners to align our innovative efforts, and designing solutions that effectively tackle complex business challenges.

What’s the most compelling tech project you’ve worked on, and why?

The projects I’ve been able to integrate AI into educational settings have been the most fulfilling experiences in my career field. With an assorted portfolio of AI-driven applications that directly aid students and educators, I often wish this capability and innovation had been available during my own school days.

Keep reading here.