Dr. Joy Buolamwini is an acclaimed computer scientist, author, and social impact technologist known globally for her groundbreaking work on algorithmic bias, ethics in artificial intelligence, and human-centered innovation. Often called a “poet of code,” she uses both art and science to expose how AI systems can perpetuate inequality—and to advocate for a future where technology serves humanity responsibly.
As the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, Dr. Joy leads a movement toward equitable and accountable technology, bridging the gap between technical research, policy, and public awareness. Her MIT research revealed significant racial and gender bias in facial recognition systems developed by major tech companies, sparking global dialogue and corporate reform.
Her TED Featured Talk on algorithmic bias has surpassed 1.4 million views, inspiring audiences to question the unseen influence of AI on everyday life. In her acclaimed book, Unmasking AI, Dr. Joy explores her personal journey and mission to protect what is human in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms.
Recognized among the leading voices shaping the future of ethical AI, Dr. Joy’s work combines data science, storytelling, and advocacy to push for innovation that reflects transparency, fairness, and shared humanity.
Dr. Joy Buolamwini founded the Algorithmic Justice League to create a world with more equitable and accountable technology. Her TED Featured Talk on algorithmic bias has over 1.4 million views and her MIT thesis methodology uncovered large racial and gender bias in AI services from companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Amazon.
Dr. Joy’s journey is depicted in the critically acclaimed documentary Coded Bias which sheds light on the threats A.I. poses to civil rights and democracy. She has written op-eds on the impact of AI for publications like TIME Magazine and the New York Times and is currently working on a forthcoming book Justice Decoded. Dr. Joy Buolamwini is a Rhodes Scholar and Fulbright Fellow.
She is the first Black researcher to grace the cover of Fast Company appearing in the 2020 “Most Creative People” issue and has been named to notable lists including Forbes 30 under 30, Bloomberg50, and Time Next 100.
Dr. Joy Buolamwini was selected as a 2022 Young Global Leader, the world’s most promising leaders under the age of 40 as determined by The World Economic Forum. She also was honored with the Beloved Community Technological Innovation Award in 2022. Dr. Joy holds graduate degrees from Oxford University and MIT, and a bachelor’s from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
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In this TED Featured Talk, computer scientist and poet of code Dr. Joy Buolamwini exposes bias hidden in artificial intelligence and shares her vision for creating accountable, equitable technology.
This 8-minute, 44-second TED Talk features Dr. Joy Buolamwini, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, delivering a powerful and deeply personal presentation that reshaped the global conversation on algorithmic bias and AI accountability.
Dr. Joy begins by recounting a moment from her time at MIT Media Lab—when facial analysis software failed to detect her dark-skinned face until she put on a white mask. This moment, both literal and symbolic, sparked her groundbreaking research into bias within commercial AI systems.
Through storytelling, data, and striking visuals, she demonstrates how machine learning tools—often trained on unbalanced datasets—can replicate and amplify historical inequalities. Her research uncovered systemic racial and gender bias in AI products from major corporations, including Microsoft, IBM, and Amazon, leading to widespread reform and new standards in AI ethics.
Dr. Joy introduces her concept of the “Coded Gaze”—the embedded bias of programmers and datasets that shape AI’s decisions—and calls for transparency, diversity, and public accountability in the design of these systems. She encourages technologists, policymakers, and everyday users to question and challenge algorithmic authority, reminding audiences that technology reflects the values of its creators.
Closing her talk with poetic conviction, she declares that the future of AI must include justice, empathy, and humanity. Her vision is not to reject AI but to unmask it, ensuring that innovation uplifts rather than marginalizes.
01:25 – Understanding the “Coded Gaze” and its real-world implications
03:15 – Findings from her MIT research on algorithmic bias
05:10 – How systemic inequality is mirrored in machine learning datasets
06:45 – The founding of the Algorithmic Justice League and its mission
08:10 – Call to action: designing AI that reflects fairness and humanity
At SXSW 2024, Dr. Joy Buolamwini, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, addresses the Google Gemini controversy, exploring how bias in AI systems exposes the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and human oversight.
This 3-minute, 52-second keynote excerpt from SXSW 2024 captures Dr. Joy Buolamwini—AI ethics leader, researcher, and author of Unmasking AI—discussing the Google Gemini controversy as a defining moment in the global conversation about artificial intelligence. With her signature clarity and conviction, she breaks down how the controversy reflects broader systemic issues in the development and deployment of large-scale AI models.
Dr. Joy explains that Gemini’s missteps are not isolated—they are symptoms of a deeper challenge: the lack of accountability, diversity, and transparency in AI development pipelines. She emphasizes that when AI systems are trained without inclusive data or human-centered guardrails, they inevitably reproduce and amplify social bias.
She urges the audience—technologists, policymakers, and consumers alike—to move beyond reactionary outrage toward structural solutions: building governance frameworks, embedding ethical review, and fostering diverse teams who understand the social consequences of code. Dr. Joy reiterates that the goal is not to halt progress but to redefine progress—centering human dignity and fairness as core measures of technological success.
Her message is both urgent and hopeful: by confronting bias head-on, we can create a future where AI strengthens democracy rather than distorting it. The clip closes with her reminder that accountability must evolve as fast as innovation does.
00:45 – Systemic causes of algorithmic bias in large-scale AI models
01:30 – The missing links: transparency, diversity, and accountability
02:25 – Moving from reaction to systemic reform in AI governance
03:10 – The moral imperative of inclusive innovation
03:45 – Closing: ethical AI as a cornerstone of technological progress
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