Imagine if you could be anyone or anything you wanted in the world of artificial intelligence (AI). The possibilities are endless. You could be a scientist, working on the next big project. You could be a coder, building the algorithms that make AI work. You could be a business person, developing new and innovative ways to use AI in the marketplace. Or you could be an artist, creating beautiful and inspiring new works of AI.
But what if you’re not a white man? What if you’re a black woman? What if you don’t fit into any of the predefined roles in the world of AI?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. There are plenty of us out there, working hard and using our voices to create change in the field of artificial intelligence. We’re educators, lawyers, environmentalists, and more. We come from all walks of life and we have something unique to offer to the field of AI.
Identifying My Role as an Educator and a Lawyer in Tech Spaces
As an educator, your role is to open up the minds of those who are eager to learn. You help them understand that there are different ways of thinking and that they have a choice in the paths they take. As a lawyer, you understand the importance of voicing your opinion and representing the people who may not have a voice.
Both of these roles are important in tech spaces. It is essential to have educators who can help shift the way people think about technology and its impact on society, and it is important to have lawyers who understand the legal implications of technology and can help create legislation that protects people.
You bring an important perspective to these spaces, and it is important for others to see that there are Black women in artificial intelligence who are using their voices to make a difference.
Defining Authenticity as a Black Woman in AI
When you show up as your authentic self, you are more likely to be respected and taken seriously. You are also more likely to be successful. People can see right through a fake persona, and it’s often easy to tell when someone is trying too hard to fit in.
As a Black woman in AI, it is important to define authenticity for yourself. What does it mean for you to be true to yourself? What are your values and beliefs? How do you want the world to see you? And most importantly, how can you use your voice to make a difference in the world?
Using Environmentally Responsible Practices to Influence AI
As a Black woman environmentalist, you have the ability to influence the field of artificial intelligence. You bring with you experience in using environmentally responsible practices to advocate for change.
Your perspective in this new field is important, and your voice deserves to be heard. You can show up as your authentic self, sharing your unique background and point of view. It is through this type of diversity that we can begin to unlock the potential of artificial intelligence.
Eradicating Bias Through Inclusive Design and Purposeful Education
As an individual that values inclusion and equity, I’m dedicated to breaking down the barriers preventing others from entering into the tech space. As a creative Black woman educator, lawyer, and environmentalist, I’m passionate about building inclusive and diverse communities in artificial intelligence.
One way to create inclusive spaces is through purposeful education. Learning opportunities can come in the form of workshops, hackathons, and open source projects. Educating individuals on building their own technologies can empower them to unlock their own voices within AI.
Another way to create inclusive spaces is through eradicating bias. If we are going to move toward a more equitable future in Artificial Intelligence, we must design AI applications with intentionality and purposeful intent. This includes designing the technology with both an understanding of user context and an understanding of how race plays an interactive role in creating technology solutions.
Purposefully doing so enables us to shape an equitable future for all citizens in Artificial Intelligence.
How My Voice Can Help Address the Needs of Black Children Through EdTech
You know, when I think of my voice in Artificial Intelligence, I think of its potential to address the needs of Black children in EdTech. Right now, Black students are not receiving the same quality of education as their white counterparts; this is due to inadequate access to technology, limited learning opportunities due to COVID-19, and the general lack of representation in STEM. As a Black woman environmentalist, I believe that it is critically important for me to show up as my authentic self and use my voice to ensure equitable access to technology for all students—especially young learners from underserved communities.
Given my background in education and law, I’m particularly passionate about breaking down barriers between underserved communities and EdTech. For example, I’m committed to increasing access to free online resources for Black students through connecting them with teachers and mentors who understand them. Additionally, I’m advocating for tech educators to create culturally relevant content specifically designed for Black students—content that celebrates their culture and helps build an understanding of their own unique learning styles. By doing this work, I’m hoping that we can transform the way young people—particularly those from underserved backgrounds—are engaging with EdTech.
Applying Experiential Learning & Co-Design for Meaningful Change in AI
You can make a meaningful impact in Artificial Intelligence by using experiential learning and co-design. As a creative Black woman educator, lawyer, and environmentalist, these are effective strategies for unlocking your voice in AI spaces. It means that you need to be an active participant in every step of the process from ideation to implementation. Empowering both yourself and others to become knowledgeable about the technology can ensure that the solutions created are equitable and just.
You will want to be sure that any data being used is ethically sourced and does not perpetuate any existing biases or stereotypes about certain people or communities. Additionally, it is important to ask questions to ensure that any AI solution created benefits all stakeholders involved and does not exploit anyone’s data or resources. Doing this encourages open dialog which fosters trust and respect between creators of these technologies and those affected by them. Finally, this creates an environment where everyone’s voice can be heard as they actively work towards meaningful change in the field of AI.
So, when you’re in a meeting, or working on a project, and you feel like your voice isn’t being heard, speak up. Let your colleagues know that you’re there, that you have something valuable to contribute, and that you want to be a part of the discussion.
When we show up as our authentic selves, we can make change in the world. We can inspire others to do the same, and together we can create a future where everyone has a voice.
