This blog post was written by Cameron Library ISS Grace Romanow as part of our continuing Black History Month series exploring Black Futures.
One of the most beautiful things about technology is that it’s accessible to everyone… or is it? What happens when the algorithm used in the creation of technology is skewed against people of colour; when the data used to train artificial intelligence is already biased against minorities based on the “training” data; or, when machine learning tools are subject to incomplete or “selected” data, allowing the computer to make judgements or predictions that help facilitate oppression? How do you navigate an online society that perpetuates and obscures racial inequality at the same time? How do search engines reinforce racism?
As we celebrate Black History month, let’s examine technology, algorithms and the internet in relation to race. These authors will enlighten the reader, provide dialogue for change and ensure that we are not recreating history. This is just a small collection of current works available from our library on this topic.
How can you critique an algorithm?
Digital Divide: The relationship between African Americans, computing technology and the Internet
Beyond Hashtags
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