Design Matters with Debbie Millman: Episode Featuring Dr. Joy Buolamwini
Release Date: July 14, 2025
Introduction
In this compelling episode of Design Matters with Debbie Millman, host Debbie Millman engages in an in-depth conversation with Dr. Joy Buolamwini, a renowned computer scientist and digital activist. Dr. Buolamwini is celebrated for her pioneering work in uncovering racial and gender biases in artificial intelligence (AI) systems, particularly in facial recognition technology. This episode delves into her journey, the challenges she has faced, and her ongoing efforts to create more equitable and accountable technology.
Early Life and Educational Foundations
Dr. Joy Buolamwini describes her upbringing as a harmonious blend of art and science, heavily influenced by her parents. Growing up in Edmonton, Alberta, and later in Oxford, Mississippi, she was exposed to both creative and scientific pursuits from an early age.
“I grew up with art and science as companions through my parents... it felt very much like an invitation to be creative, whether through scientific inquiry or artistic inquiry or for me, playtime.” (05:47)
Her early experiences included feeding cancer cells in her father's lab and visiting art galleries with her mother, fostering a unique intersection of creativity and analytical thinking that would later define her career.
Transition to Computer Science and Early Interests
During her teenage years in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Buolamwini developed a passion for technology and athletics. She created websites for her basketball and Latin clubs, showcasing her early talent in coding and web development.
“My first website was really for my Latin Club... it had animations and I was coding in flash.” (15:00)
Her involvement in multiple computer science classes, inspired by a dedicated teacher, Ms. Jill Connell, provided her with a strong technical foundation. This period also saw her engaging in extracurricular activities like coding LEGO robots, which later contributed to her work with MIT's LEGO Mindstorms.
Academic and Professional Journey
Dr. Buolamwini pursued her undergraduate studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she initially considered majors in international affairs and biomedical engineering before settling on computer science. Her senior capstone project involved piloting a health data system in Ethiopia for the Carter Center's malaria and trachoma program, impacting over 17 million people.
“We could do in one day what used to take 30 to 90 days.” (18:05)
Her commitment to making a significant impact led her to a Fulbright fellowship in Lusaka, Zambia, where she taught young Zambians to develop mobile applications. This experience underscored the importance of creating technology that addresses local contexts and needs.
Founding the Algorithmic Justice League
Dr. Buolamwini's pivotal moment came during her time at MIT's Media Lab, where she began exploring the biases inherent in facial recognition technologies. Her groundbreaking research, particularly the Gender Shades project, revealed disturbing inaccuracies in AI systems' ability to accurately recognize faces of darker-skinned individuals and women.
“It wasn't as easy as saying, okay, let's make more inclusive data sets... what kind of technologies do we want in society in the first place?” (00:01)
She founded the Algorithmic Justice League to address these issues, aiming to create a world where technology is both equitable and accountable. Her work has been instrumental in raising awareness about the ethical implications of AI and advocating for responsible AI development.
Key Research Findings and Challenges
The Gender Shades project demonstrated that major AI companies like IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon had significant biases in their facial recognition systems. For instance, facial recognition systems achieved nearly 100% accuracy for light-skinned males but performed poorly for dark-skinned females, with rates as low as 34%.
“We tested IBM, Microsoft, and a company from China, and found stark contrasts in performance across different demographic groups.” (44:17)
When Amazon dismissed her findings, claiming they had not seen the research, Dr. Buolamwini faced significant pushback. Despite attempts to discredit her work, the research community supported her, validating the importance of her findings.
“The research community rallied around us and said, say this paper is valid and important because the types of issues it addresses we have to all be thinking about.” (48:36)
Advocacy and Ongoing Efforts
Dr. Buolamwini continues to lead initiatives aimed at combating algorithmic bias and promoting ethical AI. Her Freedom Flyers campaign addresses the use of facial recognition by the TSA in airports, advocating for travelers' rights to opt out of facial recognition scans.
“If we don't opt out and resist, then that narrative persists that people want this, which they'll use.” (54:27)
She emphasizes the need for both individual and collective actions, advocating for robust laws and regulations to govern AI technologies. Her work includes collaborations on global standards and speaking engagements worldwide to spread awareness about the ethical use of AI.
Integration of Art and Science
Beyond her technical achievements, Dr. Buolamwini is also a poet, intertwining her artistic talents with her scientific endeavors. Her poetry serves as a medium to communicate the human impact of AI and advocate for a more inclusive technological future.
“To live poetically and to be expressive was never separate from my work... skateboarding is another type of art.” (25:24)
Her poems, featured in her book Unmasking AI, highlight the emotional and societal dimensions of technological advancements, underscoring the importance of maintaining humanity in an increasingly automated world.
Conclusion and Future Directions
As Dr. Joy Buolamwini continues her mission, she remains on the front lines of advocating for responsible AI. Her upcoming five-year anniversary world tour of the documentary Coded Bias aims to reaffirm the critical issues surrounding AI bias and its implications for civil rights and democracy.
“The fate of AI still uncompleted, responding with fear. Responsible AI beware profits do snare...” (66:28)
Through her relentless efforts, Dr. Buolamwini exemplifies how creativity, scientific inquiry, and unwavering commitment can drive meaningful change in the face of technological challenges.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Dr. Joy Buolamwini [00:01]: “It wasn't as easy as saying, okay, let's make more inclusive data sets, and when we have more inclusive data sets, we'll have more accurate facial recognition. But accurate systems can be abused.”
- Dr. Joy Buolamwini [05:47]: “I grew up with art and science as companions through my parents... it felt very much like an invitation to be creative, whether through scientific inquiry or artistic inquiry or for me, playtime.”
- Dr. Joy Buolamwini [15:00]: “My first website was really for my Latin Club... it had animations and I was coding in flash.”
- Dr. Joy Buolamwini [44:17]: “We tested IBM, Microsoft, and a company from China, and found stark contrasts in performance across different demographic groups.”
- Dr. Joy Buolamwini [48:36]: “The research community rallied around us and said, say this paper is valid and important because the types of issues it addresses we have to all be thinking about.”
- Dr. Joy Buolamwini [54:27]: “If we don't opt out and resist, then that narrative persists that people want this, which they'll use.”
- Dr. Joy Buolamwini [66:28]: “The fate of AI still uncompleted, responding with fear. Responsible AI beware profits do snare...”
Further Information
To learn more about Dr. Joy Buolamwini and her work, visit her website poetofcode.com or read her best-selling book, Unmasking AI.