You’ve been asking for more reading recommendations, so we’ve put together a list of books on AI, bias, edtech, and environmentalism written by people of color. Whether you’re looking to expand your understanding of these topics or just find new authors to read, we think you’ll find something on this list that interests you.
An Overview of AI and Bias
When it comes to books on AI and bias, there are a few titles that you just can’t miss.
“Weapons of Math Destruction” by Cathy O’Neil is a must-read for anyone looking to understand how algorithms can reinforce existing biases and discrimination. Latoya Peterson’s “Reproducing Racism: How everyday choices lock in white advantage” also offers a critical perspective on the ways in which technology can perpetuate systemic racism.
If you’re interested in the role of AI in education, “The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way” by Amanda Ripley is a great place to start. The book looks at why some countries are outperforming the US in education, and how technology is playing a role. For a deeper dive into the potential dangers of AI in the classroom, check out “The Teacher’s Guide to Technology: How to use computers and the internet to help your students learn” by Douglas Rushkoff.
Finally, if you’re concerned about the impact of technology on the environment, check out “Race to Save the Planet: The battle for climate justice” by Anthony D. Barnosky or “The Water Will Come: Rising seas, sinking cities, and the Remaking of America” by Jeff Goodell.
Exploring the Intersection Between AI, EdTech, and Racial Inequality
As you explore these books, we hope that you’ll consider the ways that AI and education technology are already implicated in systemic racial inequality. In each case, these technologies are touted as solutions to problems that they themselves have helped to create.
For example, AI has been touted as a solution to the achievement gap in education. However, as this report from The Center for American Progress points out, “AI will exacerbate educational disparities if it is not designed and used with intentionality to avoid these outcomes.”
The same can be said of education technology more broadly. According to this report from The New York Times, “most ed-tech products are designed for whites and wealthy people.” This means that these products often fail to meet the needs of students of color.
As you read, we encourage you to think about how these technologies are marketed and sold to the public. Who is benefitting from their use? And who is left behind?
AI and Environmentalism – What’s the Connection?
Many people don’t realize that there’s a strong connection between artificial intelligence and environmentalism. AI has the potential to help us protect the environment and reverse the damage we’ve done.
For example, consider the way AI can be used to improve energy efficiency. AI can help us optimize our energy use by predicting when demand is going to be high and low. It can also help us track energy consumption in real time, so that we can identify and fix any inefficiencies.
AI can also help us understand our impact on the environment. It can help us identify the sources of pollution, track emissions, and predict how climate change will affect different parts of the world.
All of this is just scratching the surface of what AI can do for environmentalism. If you’re interested in learning more, I highly recommend reading one of the books on this list.
Exploring the Role and Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Climate Change
AI isn’t just about robots taking over the world, but can also have real-world impacts on climate change. We need to understand how AI can help predict and prevent natural disasters, mitigate the effects of climate change, and support sustainable development goals.
If you’re looking to explore this topic, be sure to pick up “The Emperor’s Labyrinth: AI, Climate Change and the World to Come” by Fadi Al-Nashmi. In this book, Al-Nashmi looks at how global investments in artificial intelligence can transform traditional industries like agriculture and create new job opportunities while addressing climate change. He also examines how AI can be used to build more efficient renewable energy sources and detect threats like water scarcity.
Overall, this is a great book for anyone interested in discovering how artificial intelligence is being used to address one of the most pressing issues of our time—climate change.
Understanding How AI Can Help Address Social Justice Issues
As technology becomes increasingly pervasive, it’s important to understand the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on bias and social justice issues. From understanding how digital algorithms can lead to further marginalization of underrepresented communities, to exploring ways AI can be used for good, these books equip readers with the knowledge and insight needed to be more thoughtful tech consumers.
There’s Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism by Safiya Noble for a deep dive into search engine biases, along with Implicit Bias: Believing Without Knowing by Mahzarin Banaji that examines hidden prejudices among people from all walks of life. Not to mention Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for The New Jim Code by Ruha Benjamin and Climate Justice: A WorkingmodelofHopebyDeNardoDrake which offer solutions for using technological advances in pursuit of greater social equity.
Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or just trying to keep up with the ever-changing world around us, there’s something here for everyone interested in learning more about how AI is impacting our lives.
Round Up: 6 Books You Need to Read by People of Color on AI, Bias, EdTech, and Environmentalism
If you’re looking to expand your library and add some diversity to your reading list this year, then this list is for you. Here are six must-read books on AI, Bias, EdTech, and Environmentalism by people of color:
- “AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley and the New World Order” by Kai-Fu Lee: An exploration of the ongoing technological revolution driven by AI and its implications.
- “Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism” by Safiya Noble: A look at how algorithms shape our perceptions of race and gender on the web.
- “The Sankofa Way: A New Perspective on Technology in Education” by Chris Emdin: Exploring how technology can be used to learn from our past and create a better future in education.
- “Urban Green: Innovative Parks for Resilient Cities” by Adrienne Schmitz: Examining the ways cities can build resilient green spaces to improve urban health outcomes.
- “The Global Future of Work: Jobs, Skills, and Income Equality”by Richard Baldwin & Anthony Venables: Examining how digital technologies are transforming the labor market and creating new challenges for governments.
- “Data Feminism : Intersectional Approaches Beyond Diversity & Inclusion” by Catherine D’Ignazio & Lauren Klein: An exploration of how data can be used to achieve greater gender equity.
These books will give you a deeper understanding of the impact AI has on different aspects of society as well as strategies to achieve greater equality. Get ready to expand your horizons!
So, now that you know some of the best books out there written by people of color on various topics in tech, it’s time to expand your horizons! Whether you’re a student looking for some good summer reading or simply want to learn more about these important topics, these books are a great place to start.
