Ethan Ward is a multi-award winning journalist, public speaker, and AI ethics strategist. He holds a Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction from University College Dublin, where he focused on responsible AI and user-centered research. He also holds a Master of Public Diplomacy and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Southern California. As the founder of HEATDRAWN Media, he champions diverse, unapologetic voices and ideas on a range of social issues. His reporting has appeared in USA TODAY, LAist 89.3, and Capital & Main.
Empathy-driven impact
Ethan combines ethical AI governance and storytelling to tackle social inequities. His work focuses on empathy-driven narratives and solutions-oriented journalism. Ethan is passionate about technology’s ability to shape human experience, developing inclusive AI systems, and advocating for tech policies that uphold everyone’s dignity, particularly those on the margins of society. Check out his AI-hosted newsletter, The Thread.
Your complex challenges deserve real-world solutions
Investigating the real-world impact of AI and other emerging technologies
Translating complex ideas into compelling stories that inspire action
Bringing stakeholders together to shape ethical AI policy and create meaningful change
Ethan's life experiences shape his professional mission. After living in his car for a year, he spent over half a decade reporting on homelessness. Ethan's background inspires his commitment to effect change through empathetic engagement, ethical AI governance, and strategic innovation.
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Ethan takes pride in his ability to remain grateful, adapt, and being his authentic self no matter the room he's in. He is also proud of his award-winning journalism and the impact of his stories, which include recognition for public service news and solutions journalism. He has earned numerous awards, including accolades from SABEW Best in Business and the Online News Association. He created and produced the limited series podcast Reputation about homelessness, which won a Housing Narrative Award for best podcast episode and a 2nd place 2024 LA Press Club Award for Best Limited Series podcast.
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Ethan became interested in AI research because of its potential to address social inequities. Companies and organizations will have to invest in responsible AI, but he believes AI ethics can be embedded in the design process in a way that does not frustrate innovation. This complements his background in journalism and public diplomacy, giving him the ability to integrate technology, storytelling, and ethical governance. His graduate school projects include studying AI technology for predicting homelessness risk and exploring AI audio deepfakes for public service advocacy. His thesis explores how Black LGBTQ+ creators on TikTok navigate algorithmic biases, so he can understand how they improve their visibility and engagement on digital platforms.
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Ethan is an avid traveler and cultural enthusiast, continually drawing inspiration from his global experiences to inform his work. He is committed to lifelong learning and volunteers his time and expertise with organizations and nonprofits working to improve the lives of marginalized people. He is a fan of good sci-fi films and also loves "The Wizard of Oz," his favorite movie. He also enjoys reading, spending time in nature (especially gorgeous parks), and art.