Ideas There's no potential danger of AI discrimination — 'it's here'
May 8, 2025
Joy Buolamwini, an MIT researcher and founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, passionately highlights the urgent dangers of AI bias. She reveals real-world implications, such as wrongful imprisonments linked to flawed facial recognition technology. Through her work, she emphasizes the need for equitable technology, particularly for marginalized communities. Joy’s unique blend of poetry and advocacy champions algorithmic justice, urging everyone to demand responsibility from tech giants and ensure AI truly serves all humanity.
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False Arrests From Facial Recognition
- Portia Woodruff was falsely arrested due to flawed facial recognition, spending 11 hours in jail while eight months pregnant.
- The same Detroit police department had a similar wrongful arrest case years earlier with Robert Williams.
Poet of Code Journey
- Joy became a poet of code to preserve her humanity amid rigorous technical education.
- Poetry helped her challenge assumptions and communicate complex ideas accessibly.
The Coded Gaze in AI
- The 'coded gaze' in AI reflects power shaping technology's priorities and biases.
- Joy first experienced this when her dark skin wasn't detected by facial recognition until she donned a white mask.
