Sofia R. Rodriguez

Sofia Rodriguez is an undergraduate student at Hunter College studying Applied Mathematics, Latino Studies, and Media Studies. They are also a Research Assistant at the Trustworthy, Intelligent, and Explainable Robotics (TIER) Lab under the guidance of Dr. Raj Korpan, investigating applications for automation and robotics in voting and civic engagement through the lens of trust and safety.  Seeking to build bridges between technology and human impact, Sofia hopes to pursue an academic career examining how technological innovation shapes political movements in Latin America through the lens of international AI governance, nonproliferation, R&D investment, broadband access, data sovereignty, surveillance, and propaganda. Their research reflects a deep commitment to understanding technology's sociopolitical implications, exploring how AI development impacts the Global South and how digital tools can reinforce existing power structures. At heart, Sofia remains driven by a simple yet powerful vision: with careful consideration, we can choose to develop technology that truly serves all communities, especially those historically left behind.  Now serving as Executive Director of the Paragon Policy Fellowship, Sofia is now guiding a diverse team dedicated to reimagining how technology can serve the public interest in state and local governance. Whether collaborating with city officials on ethical tech procurement or testifying alongside advocacy groups, Sofia consistently pushes for more transparent, equitable technological systems that serve all constituents, especially for resource-constrained and traditionally marginalized communities.

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