Joy Adowaa Buolamwini
Personal Information
Born: 1989 or 1990
Country of Birth: Canada
Nationality: Canadian-American
Ethnicity: Black
Education
Georgia Institute of Technology BS Computer Science 2012; Oxford University MS Learning & Technology 2014; MIT MS 2017 & PhD 2022 both in Media Arts & Sciences
Professional Life
Field of Study: Computer Science
Institution/Corporation: MIT Media Lab
Degrees & Memberships: None found
Awards & Achievements
Awards: 2012 Rhodes Scholar; 2012 Fulbright Scholar; 2008 Stamps Scholar; named to Bloomberg 50; 2018 named to Tech Review's 35 Under 35; 2018 named to BBC 100 Women; 2019 named to Forbes Top 50 women in Technology (youngest ever recipient); named to Forbes 30 Under 30; 2019 named to Time's 100 List; 2010 Astronaut Scholar; 2011 Anita Borg Institute Scholar; 2017 Grand Prize, Search for Hidden Figures Contest; 2016 NCWIT Collegiate Award; 2015 Young Africans Committed to Excellence (YACE) Fellow; 2020 Great Immigrants Recipient, Carnegie corporation
Achievements: 2016 founded Algorithmic Justice League which challenges bias in decision-making software using art; 2011 worked with trachoma program at Carter Center to develop Android-based assessment system for use in Ethiopia; 2013 worked with computer scientists in Zambia to help students become tech creators; her research discovered facial recognition systems found it difficult to identify dark-skinned women; created Aspire Mirror which lets users see a reflection of themselves based on what inspires them; has created 2 films on bias; is CTO for Techturized, Inc a haircare technology company; is working to uncover bias in voice systems; is on Global Technology Panel convened by the Vice President of the European Commission; founded Code 4 Rights in 2014; founded Jovial Designs in 2007; founded Zamrize 2013
Introduces herself as a poet of code, daughter of art & science
Founded Algorithmic Justice League to create a world with more equitable & accountable technology; uses art, advocacy, & research to highlight the social implications & harms of AI
Born in Edmonton, Alberta & grew up in Mississippi
At age 9, taught herself XHTML, JavaScript, & PHP
Was a competitive pole vaulter
Is a Rhodes Scholar, Fulbright Fellow, Stamps Scholar, Astronaut Scholar, & Anita Borg Institute Scholar
2011, Worked with trachoma program at the Carter Center to develop an android-based assessment system to use in Ethiopia
2013, worked with local computer scientists in Zambia to help Azmbian youth become technology creators
Created Aspire Mirror, a device that allows users to see a reflection of themselves based on what inspires them
Is CTO for Techturized Inc, a hair-care tech company
Has created 2 films on AI bias