DetectHU emerged as a response to growing concerns about the ethical and privacy implications of facial recognition AI. As Scrum Master, I led a cross-functional team to design an informational website that educates users on these risks while providing actionable insights for individuals, organizations, and policymakers. The project sought to present complex, technical topics in a way that felt accessible, engaging, and actionable. our findings were presented to a panel of experts in information technology, cybersecurity, and many more fields.
As Scrum Master for DetectHU, one of the biggest challenges was managing the team’s workflow and ensuring everyone stayed on track with deadlines. Balancing technical content with accessible language was tricky, especially as we worked to refine features like the risk assessment tool. Adapting to evolving project feedback from peers and professors added an extra layer of complexity, but we tackled these challenges through consistent communication and flexibility during sprints.
One of my key accomplishments was fostering collaboration within our team of peers, ensuring everyone had clear tasks and deadlines through tools like sprint reviews and daily check-ins. By integrating user feedback from early testing, we enhanced the interactivity of features like quizzes and guides, making them more engaging. Delivering a polished, user-friendly platform that simplified complex privacy concerns was a proud moment for the entire team.
Anusree Iyer, Aisha Abounganba, Neil Patel, Jake Roy, Angela Kim
Type
Scrum, Research
Role
Project Manager, UI Lead
Timeline
Sep-Dec 2023
Understand how users perceive privacy risks associated with facial recognition AI.
Understand how users perceive privacy risks associated with facial recognition AI.
Develop interactive tools that help users engage with and apply the content.
Structure the website to reflect user priorities, like navigating legal insights or privacy strategies.
Foster clear communication and task alignment through weekly check-ins and sprint reviews, ensuring everyone stays on track.
Integrate peer and user feedback into the design process to refine features and adapt to evolving project requirements.
Prioritize simplicity and accessibility to create a polished, engaging product that meets the needs of the target audience.
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Despite the widespread use of facial recognition technology, many people remain unaware of how their data is collected, stored, and used. Current educational resources, while available, often lack clarity or are buried within dense legal documentation. Platforms like government privacy sites and tech company policies offer some insights, but they fail to effectively engage users or provide actionable advice.
DetectHU Solution:We created an interactive platform that breaks down complex privacy topics into digestible, user-friendly formats. Through interactive quizzes, real-world examples, and simplified explanations, DetectHU aims to close the knowledge gap and empower users to take control of their personal data.
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One of the most significant barriers to understanding facial recognition AI is the heavy use of technical jargon. Resources available on academic websites or tech blogs often alienate everyday users who are simply looking for clear, practical information about how this technology affects them.
DetectHU Solution:By avoiding overly technical language, DetectHU makes facial recognition technology approachable. The platform features visual explanations, step-by-step guides, and relatable examples to demystify the technology. This accessible approach ensures that users, regardless of their technical background, can grasp the implications and risks involved.
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These insights shaped DetectHU's design and focus, driving the creation of a platform that combines clarity, engagement, and simplicity to make complex topics approachable for a wider audience.
We conducted interviews with ten participants to delve deeper into their perspectives on facial recognition technology. Each participant brought a unique viewpoint, ranging from privacy advocates to individuals with limited knowledge of the subject.
Understanding Awareness: How much do users know about facial recognition technology and its applications?
Exploring Concerns: What specific ethical or privacy issues do users find most troubling?
Identifying Needs: What type of resources or tools would users find most helpful to better understand and navigate this technology?
After interviewing 10 participants with diverse perspectives on facial recognition technology, we identified key themes that shed light on their concerns and expectations. These themes highlighted a mix of frustrations, misunderstandings, and aspirations for better tools and resources:
"I don’t really understand how facial recognition works, so I’m not sure how to protect myself from it."
"It feels like we don’t have a choice anymore—facial recognition is everywhere, and we’re just supposed to accept it."
"Some of it seems useful, but it’s also scary to think about how my face data could be misused."
Moving forward, we focused on refining our solutions to address these issues, such as progress tracking, role-specific content, and gamified learning elements. The goal is narrow our development of a training platform that feels both efficient and rewarding to use, while being flexible enough to adapt to diverse learning needs.
To better understand the challenges faced by educators, we created a persona grounded in user interviews and research findings. James represents the frustration teachers feel when navigating AI technologies while managing daily responsibilities. Teachers like James often struggle to understand AI's impact on privacy and trust, expressing a need for tools that simplify concepts and provide clear, actionable insights. DetectHU addresses these needs by offering an accessible platform that promotes transparency, educates users, and empowers educators like James to create a safe, informed environment for their students.
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Leading the DetectHU project as a Scrum Master, I focused on creating a transparent and collaborative workflow that kept our team aligned and motivated. Weekly stand-up meetings served as checkpoints to discuss individual progress, identify challenges, and brainstorm solutions together. These meetings ensured accountability while fostering a shared sense of ownership over the project. Here's an example:
As Scrum Master for DetectHU, I focused on keeping the team aligned and motivated through clear communication and Agile practices. We broke the project into sprints with weekly goals, using a Kanban board to track progress and ensure accountability. Daily stand-ups helped us tackle challenges together, and a shared timeline kept everyone on schedule. Feedback from user testing was logged and prioritized, guiding us to refine the design without losing momentum.
We used our quick mockups as a basis for functioning prototypes in Figma to then show to our participants and gather insight.
Goals for Testing
01: Ensure smooth navigation so users could easily access privacy tools, track their tasks, and explore resources without confusion.
02: Evaluate engagement with features like the dashboard, feedback logs, and timeline tracker to understand what worked well and what needed improvement.
03: Identify pain points in the design and functionality to create a seamless and frustration-free experience.
These insights shaped the final conceptual prototype, resulting in a more cohesive and user-friendly design that prioritized simplicity and adaptability, ensuring that both employees and administrators could navigate and use the platform effortlessly.
01 Finding a Balance Between Structure and Flexibility
As Scrum Master for this project, I realized how important it is to balance planning with adaptability. Using tools like Kanban boards and Gantt charts helped the team stay organized, but the real challenge came when feedback pushed us to rethink parts of the project. For example, when users struggled with navigation during testing, we had to pivot quickly to redesign key features without derailing our timeline. This experience taught me that sticking to a plan is important, but knowing when to adapt is what keeps a project moving forward.
02 Listening to the Data and the People Behind It
As a researcher, I learned that numbers and insights from user testing are only half the story—it’s how those findings connect to real user needs that make them meaningful. During this project, I analyzed patterns from testing sessions and interviews, uncovering that users wanted faster ways to filter privacy resources and clearer labeling for tasks. These insights weren’t just technical fixes; they showed me how small tweaks could make a big difference in how people felt using the platform. It reinforced that research isn’t just about gathering data—it’s about translating it into something tangible and helpful.
Leading the team on DetectHU showed me that leadership is as much about providing direction as it is about support. Weekly check-ins ensured we stayed on track, but they also became an opportunity to troubleshoot together and address any blockers. By creating a space where challenges could be discussed openly, the team was able to work more effectively and stay motivated. This reinforced the importance of collaboration and clear communication in reaching project goals.This project taught me how to adapt quickly, translate user insights into meaningful changes, and lead with a focus on collaboration. These are skills I’m excited to bring to future projects.