The Institute of Black Imagination. - E83. The Unmasking of AI with Dr. Joy Buolamwini

Oct 29 2023 91 mins 2

Today, we have a truly remarkable guest. Joining us today is the brilliant Dr. Joy Buolamwini, a computer scientist, digital activist and self-described “Poet of Code” whose journey began at that Temple of Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT for short. She's the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, a place where art and activism intersect to illuminate the social implications of AI. She also has a book dropping on Halloween called, wait for it, Unmasking AI. How fitting is that for Halloween?

But her story isn't just about her prestigious academic credentials; it's about the extraordinary transformation her creative journey has taken. In today’s conversation, she reveals how her quest to create a digital filter, one that could change the reflection of herself in a mirror, led to a profound exploration of technology's hidden biases.

Be sure to share some of your thoughts on today's episode with us on Instagram at @blackimagination. If you want to stay updated on all our latest news and exclusive content, click on this newsletter link. If you love what we do and would like to support the show, click this support link.

Key Links

Kimberlé W. Crenshaw- American activist, intersectionality

Single axis analysis

Niles Luther - Cellist & Composer

Robert Williams- man arrested through skewed AI detection

Coded Bias- a film on Netflix

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - a private land-grant research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

What to Read

Unmasking AI- Dr. Joy Buolamwini

Breaking the Code: Thriving as Black Individuals in the Era of Artificial Intelligence - Rayshaun "Chu" Smith

Black in White Space: The Enduring Impact of Color in Everyday Life - Elijah Anderson

What to listen to