Monthly AI Ethics Reading Circles | AI & Race

In honor of Black History Month, our reading circle discussion will focus on how race is reflected in AI systems and, in turn, how these systems shape and are influenced by racial dynamics. Scholars like Dr. Joy Buolamwini and others have uncovered biases in commercial facial recognition systems, particularly against dark-skinned women. Dr. Abeba Birhane’s research has revealed that images in popular datasets have been labeled with racist and ethnic slurs. Additionally, Dr. Safiya Noble’s foundational research on bias against Black girls and women in popular search engines has highlighted how seemingly neutral and objective algorithmic systems can perpetuate deep discrimination.

For our reading circle this month, we will read and discuss Dr. Noble’s groundbreaking book, Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism (2018), which is available at most public libraries and independent bookstores.