Forecasting, AI governance, and communities that own their infrastructure.
I’m a data engineer at Bloomberg and a research assistant in the Social Algorithms Group, where I study how localities govern AI and how data centers reshape the communities around them. I’m especially interested in forecasting and optimization for climate-resilient systems that center community ownership and local governance, and in where technology meets post-capitalist thought.
Research
Publication · AIES 2026
AI Localism: Counter Imaginaries from City AI Governance
B. Bheem, S. Gerstein, K. Karahalios, M. R. Sanfilippo
TPRC Best Student Paper, 2nd PlaceSocial Algorithms Group (Prof. Karrie Karahalios) · 2025 – present
Local AI governance and the community dynamics of data centers
Qualitative study of how U.S. localities regulate AI absent federal rules, and how data centers affect host communities.
Contextual Engineering Research Group, UIUC · 2023
Contextual engineering for community water systems
Qualitative and computational methods to center community needs in the design of water and power infrastructure.
Outstanding Research Poster Award
Education
- 2022 – 2026University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignB.S. Computer Science and B.S. Statistics, Minor in MathematicsGPA: 3.93/4.00
- 2019 – 2022Florida Atlantic UniversityComputer Science coursework through FAU High School dual enrollment
Recent writing
News
- Sep 2026AI Localism won 2nd place for TPRC Best Student Paper.
- Aug 2026Published an op-ed with Bhavana Bheem in Smile Politely, "Hyperscale AI data centers are not inevitable."
- Aug 2026Started as a Data Engineer at Bloomberg, supporting Bloomberg Law.
- Jun 2026Interviewed by Public i about proposed data centers in Champaign County.
- May 2026Graduated from UIUC with B.S. degrees in Computer Science and Statistics.