In honor of
#BlackHistoryMonth, AJL is shining a light on black pioneers transforming the AI and tech industry for the better:
➡️
@LatanyaSweeney Ph.D. - The first black woman to receive a Computer Science PhD from
@MIT in 2001, Latanya's research first founded the area of study known as data privacy. She was the first to demonstrate discrimination in online algorithms, founding the new research area known as algorithmic fairness. She is now a Professor of Government and Technology at
@Harvard, continuing her remarkable career in computer science. 👏🏾
➡️ Mophat Okinyi - Mophat used to work as a content moderator for the data training platform Sama (contracted by
@OpenAI) in Kenya. Every day, Mophat's job was to read and label graphic descriptions of toxic content to teach ChatGPT what not to say. The grueling, traumatic work was detrimental to his mental health and led him to start the Content Moderators Union, designed to protect the rights of AI data workers in Africa. Mophat is now the Founder & CEO of Techworker Community Africa, an NGO that educates African AI workers about their rights. ✊🏿
➡️ @safiyanoble - Safiya is known for her best-selling book 'Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism' and her ground-breaking work on algorithmic discrimination. As Chair of Social Sciences and Professor of Gender Studies, African American Studies, and Information Studies at
@UCLA, her research is both sociological and interdisciplinary, intersecting with issues of race, gender, culture, power, and technology. 📚
ALT Black background overlayed by white text aligned on the right side of the image reads "Latanya Sweeney, Ph.D. Pioneered the fields of study known as data privacy and algorithmic fairness. Professor of Government and Technology at Harvard University & Founder of the Public Interest Tech Lab. In 2001, Latanya became the first black woman to receive a PhD in Computer Science from MIT. More than 100 academic publications." White text at the top lefthand of the screen reads "Black History Month, Feb 2025." A red AJL shield logo is in the top lefthand corner of the screen. An image of Dr. Sweeney smiling with glasses is positioned in the bottom lefthand side of the screen.
ALT Black background overlayed by white text aligned on the left side of the image reads "Mophat Okinyi. Included in TIME Magazine’s list of 100 most influential people in AI in 2024 for his work advocating for rights of AI data workers in Africa after working as a content moderator for OpenAI’s ChatGPT in Nairobi. Founder & CEO of Techworker Community Africa, educating AI workers about their rights." White text at the top lefthand of the screen reads "Black History Month, Feb 2025." A red AJL shield logo is in the top lefthand corner of the screen. An image of Mophat Okinyi looking at the camera with glasses is positioned in the bottom righthand side of the screen.
ALT Black background overlayed by white text aligned on the left side of the image reads "Safiya U. Noble, Ph.D. Author of the best-selling book ‘Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism.’ Recognized as a MacArthur Foundation Fellow for her ground-breaking work on algorithmic discrimination. Chair of Social Sciences & Professor of Gender Studies, African American Studies, & Information Studies at UCLA." White text at the top lefthand of the screen reads "Black History Month, Feb 2025." A red AJL shield logo is in the top lefthand corner of the screen. An image of Dr. Noble looking at the camera with a black jacket is positioned in the bottom righthand side of the screen.