# Joy Buolamwini

> American computer scientist and digital activist

**Wikidata**: [Q31359093](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q31359093)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joy_Buolamwini)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/joy-buolamwini

## Summary
Joy Buolamwini is an American computer scientist and digital activist known for her work in exposing racial and gender biases in facial recognition technology. She founded the Algorithmic Justice League to challenge bias in AI and advocate for equitable technology.

## Biography
- **Born**: 1989, Edmonton, Canada
- **Nationality**: Canada, United States
- **Education**:
  - Georgia Tech
  - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  - Cordova High School
  - Jesus College (Rhodes Scholar, 2013)
- **Known for**: Research on bias in facial recognition algorithms and founding the Algorithmic Justice League
- **Employer(s)**: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT Media Lab)
- **Field(s)**: Computer science, digital activism

## Contributions
Joy Buolamwini’s groundbreaking research revealed racial and gender biases in commercial facial recognition systems. In 2018, she co-authored a study demonstrating that systems from major tech companies misclassified darker-skinned individuals, particularly women, at significantly higher rates than lighter-skinned males. This work led to her founding the **Algorithmic Justice League (AJL)**, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about AI bias and promoting accountability in technology.

Her documentary, *Coded Bias* (2020), further amplified these issues, sparking global discussions on AI ethics. Buolamwini has also developed tools like the **Gender Shades** audit framework to evaluate algorithmic fairness. Her advocacy has influenced policy changes, including bans on facial recognition in cities like Boston and San Francisco.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Joy Buolamwini best known for?
A: She is best known for exposing racial and gender biases in facial recognition technology and founding the Algorithmic Justice League to combat algorithmic discrimination.

### Q: Where did Joy Buolamwini study?
A: She studied at Georgia Tech, MIT, Cordova High School, and Jesus College (Oxford) as a Rhodes Scholar.

### Q: What awards has Joy Buolamwini received?
A: She has received the Rhodes Scholarship (2013), BBC 100 Women (2018), and a Shuttleworth Foundation Flash Grant (2017), among others.

### Q: What is the Algorithmic Justice League?
A: It’s an organization founded by Buolamwini to challenge bias in AI and promote equitable technology through research, advocacy, and policy change.

## Why They Matter
Buolamwini’s work has reshaped the conversation around AI ethics, forcing tech companies and policymakers to confront systemic biases in algorithms. Her research has led to tangible changes, such as improved accuracy in facial recognition systems and legislative action against discriminatory AI. Without her advocacy, biases in AI might have remained unchecked, perpetuating harm against marginalized communities.

## Notable For
- Founding the **Algorithmic Justice League** to fight AI bias.
- Co-authoring the **Gender Shades** study (2018) exposing racial and gender biases in facial recognition.
- Receiving the **Rhodes Scholarship** (2013) and being named to **BBC 100 Women** (2018).
- Featured in the documentary *Coded Bias* (2020), which highlights AI discrimination.
- Advocating for policy changes, including bans on facial recognition in multiple U.S. cities.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
- Born in **1989 in Edmonton, Canada**.
- Attended **Cordova High School** in Tennessee.
- Earned degrees from **Georgia Tech** and **MIT**.
- Became a **Rhodes Scholar** in 2013, studying at **Jesus College, Oxford**.

### Research and Activism
- Conducted seminal research on **bias in facial recognition algorithms**, published in 2018.
- Founded the **Algorithmic Justice League (AJL)** to advocate for equitable AI.
- Developed **Gender Shades**, a framework to audit algorithmic fairness.
- Her work led to **policy changes**, including bans on facial recognition in Boston and San Francisco.

### Awards and Recognition
- **Rhodes Scholarship (2013)**
- **BBC 100 Women (2018)**
- **Shuttleworth Foundation Flash Grant (2017)**
- **Fulbright Scholarship**

### Media and Public Engagement
- Featured in the documentary *Coded Bias* (2020).
- Frequent speaker at events like the **World Economic Forum (2019)**.
- Active on social media with over **80,000 followers** (as of 2023).

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## References

1. [Person Overview ‹ Joy Buolamwini – MIT Media Lab](https://www.media.mit.edu/people/joyab/overview/)
2. [Source](https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/114068)
3. Rhodes Scholar Database
4. [Source](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-46225037)
5. [Source](https://shuttleworthfoundation.org/fellows/flash-grants/)
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. [Joy Buolamwini | Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL12926754A/Joy_Buolamwini)
8. Davos 2019 Participant List
9. Gender Shades: Intersectional Accuracy Disparities in Commercial Gender Classification
10. [Source](https://www.podchaser.com/creators/joy-buolamwini-107Zzr4Lw7/appearances)