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Tyler Shultz
Whistleblower, Start-up Founder, Speaker
Tyler Shultz is a prominent whistleblower, startup founder, and professional speaker known for exposing fraudulent practices at Theranos.23 He graduated from Stanford University with a Biology degree and gained national attention when he blew the whistle on Theranos, where he had worked as a research engineer.35
After his whistleblowing experience, Shultz co-founded two point-of-care diagnostics companies.12 He has been recognized for his efforts, including being named to Forbes' "30 under 30" Healthcare list in 2017.35
Currently, Shultz serves as an Advisory Board Member for The Signals Network, an organization that supports whistleblowers and coordinates international media investigations addressing corporate misconduct and human rights abuses.34 He recently joined The Signals Network's Board of Directors, further strengthening his commitment to the organization's mission.14
Shultz is also a professional speaker represented by United Talent Agency, sharing his experiences and insights at conferences, universities, and corporate events worldwide.3 His story has been featured in various media, including the HBO documentary "The Inventor," the book "Bad Blood," and the Hulu series "The Dropout".12
In addition to his work with The Signals Network, Shultz has held advisory roles with other organizations, including Qvin and paradigm, focusing on innovative health technologies.3 His experiences and expertise make him a valuable advocate for ethical innovation and whistleblower support.
Highlights
As the jetlag fades, here are some key takeaways from our AI whistleblowers panel at the international journalism festival in Italy:
-While Theranos was quite literally a black box, AI is a metaphorical one. As tech gets more complex, fewer people deeply understand it. Journalists, and the general public, depend on this shrinking number of people to ensure the tech is used responsibly and for the betterment of society.
-Journalists often understand the risks their source is taking better than their source. Journalists should connect their sources to third party organizations like The Signals Network to provide the legal, financial, psychological, and media support they need. You can get the juicy story without letting your source walk into a landmine.
-To the future whistleblowers: Speaking up doesn't have to blow up your life. There are ways to raise your voice safely with plenty of resources out there to support you.
Photo credit: Jay Dixit #IJF24
