Abstract: Technological neutrality is a myth; algorithms need to be held accountable. Join Meredith Broussard, a data scientist who has worked in journalism and software development, to explore how technologies designed to boost convenience are also prone to perpetuating bias. From sensors trained only to recognize lighter skin tones and the dangerous feedback loops that arise when predictive policing or medical diagnostic algorithms are fed on discriminatory data, real-world bias always emerges inside technological systems. How can we address this issue? The latest research in algorithmic accountability reporting and public interest technology may hold promise. 

Biography: Meredith Broussard is Associate Professor at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute of New York University and Research Director at the NYU Alliance for Public Interest Technology. She is the author of Artificial Unintelligence: How Computers Misunderstand the World, and a forthcoming book on the intersection of technology, race, gender, & ability. Her work has been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Atlantic, BBC, Wired, The Economist, and more. She appears in the 2020 documentary “Coded Bias” and serves on the advisory board for the Center for Critical Race & Digital Studies. More information at @merbroussard or meredithbroussard.com.

Two ways to attend:

• In person, Whitaker Lab Room 303 (WH 303), with reception to follow.

• Virtually, via Zoom webinar. The event will be live-streamed but will not be recorded.

Registration required for both types of attendees, by 04.04.22