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Joy Buolamwini is an American-Ghanaian computer scientist and digital activist known for her pioneering work in identifying and combating bias in Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms, particularly in facial recognition systems.
Joy Buolamwini and Timnit Gebru's seminal work on AI bias is recognized, indicating a collaborative or influential role in discussions surrounding AI ethics with the Partnership on AI.
Olay's #DecodetheBias campaign, created in partnership with Joy Buolamwini, seeks to raise awareness of biases in beauty AI and makes conscious efforts to address them. This initiative evaluated Olay's Skin Advisor System to ensure equitable treatment across all skin tones.
Joy Buolamwini's research was cited in 2020 as an influence for Google and Microsoft in addressing gender and race bias in their products and processes, without a direct partnership mention.
Joy Buolamwini's 2018 paper "Gender Shades: Intersectional Accuracy Disparities in Commercial Gender Classification" prompted responses from IBM and Microsoft to take corrective actions to improve the accuracy of their algorithms, swiftly improved their software demonstrating her influence on the industry. Her research was also cited in 2020 as an influence for Google and Microsoft in addressing gender and race bias in their products and processes.
Joy Buolamwini's 2018 paper "Gender Shades: Intersectional Accuracy Disparities in Commercial Gender Classification" prompted responses from IBM and Microsoft to take corrective actions to improve the accuracy of their algorithms, swiftly improved their software demonstrating her influence on the industry.
The documentary 'Coded Bias,' featuring Joy Buolamwini's research on AI inaccuracies in facial recognition technology, was made available to stream on Netflix on April 5, 2021.
Joy Buolamwini was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to Ghanaian immigrants and spent her formative years in Mississippi. Her interest in technology began early; at age nine, inspired by the MIT robot Kismet, she taught herself XHTML, JavaScript, and PHP. She attended Cordova High School in Cordova, Tennessee, where she was a student-athlete, excelling in pole vaulting and basketball. She pursued her undergraduate studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology, graduating in 2012 as a Stamps President’s Scholar after researching health informatics and becoming the youngest finalist of the Georgia Tech InVenture Prize in 2009. She continued her academic journey as a Rhodes Scholar, Fulbright fellow, and Stamps Scholar, earning a Master’s Degree in Media Arts & Sciences from MIT in 2017 and a PhD in Media Arts & Sciences from the MIT Media Lab in 2022. Her doctoral research focused on ‘Facing the Coded Gaze with Evocative Audits and Algorithmic Audits.’
Buolamwini’s career has been dedicated to exposing and addressing algorithmic bias. In 2011, she worked with the Carter Center’s trachoma program in Ethiopia, developing an Android-based assessment system. As a Fulbright fellow in 2013, she collaborated with computer scientists in Zambia to empower young people in technology. While a researcher at the MIT Media Lab, she made a significant discovery: facial recognition software struggled to accurately identify darker-skinned women. This led to her landmark 2018 paper, ‘Gender Shades: Intersectional Accuracy Disparities in Commercial Gender Classification,’ which demonstrated that commercial facial analysis systems had significantly higher error rates for women and darker-skinned individuals. Her findings prompted IBM and Microsoft to improve their algorithms, showcasing her impactful influence on the tech industry. She also developed the Aspire Mirror, a device utilizing facial recognition to reflect inspiring figures onto users.
In 2016, Buolamwini founded the Algorithmic Justice League (AJL), an organization committed to promoting equitable and accountable AI through art, advocacy, and research. The AJL raises awareness about the ethical implications and harms of AI, particularly concerning bias, and works to address issues at the intersection of equity and technology. Her work has been instrumental in influencing policy discussions, including advising President Biden ahead of Executive Order 14110 on safe, secure, and trustworthy AI in 2023. Her book, ‘Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What Is Human in a World of Machines,’ published in 2023, delves into the social implications of AI and advocates for inclusive datasets, transparent auditing, and ethical policies. Buolamwini’s dedication to combating algorithmic bias has earned her numerous accolades, including being named to Fortune’s ‘World’s 50 Greatest Leaders’ and the Time 100 Next list. She continues to advocate for biometric rights and ethical AI development, emphasizing the need for technology to serve all of humanity fairly.
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