As the AI revolution continues to transform industries and societies around the world, it’s essential to shine a spotlight on the remarkable women who are driving this transformation. TechCrunch is proud to launch a series of interviews highlighting the contributions and achievements of these trailblazers.
In this first installment, we’re honored to feature Amba Kak, Executive Director of the AI Now Institute, where she leads efforts to create policy recommendations addressing AI concerns. With her extensive background in technology and social justice, Amba is an outspoken advocate for responsible AI development and use.
TechCrunch: Amba, thanks for joining us today! Can you tell us a bit about your work at the AI Now Institute?
Amba Kak: Thank you for having me! The AI Now Institute is a research center based at New York University that focuses on the social implications of AI. Our goal is to create a more just and equitable society by ensuring that AI development prioritizes human values, such as fairness, transparency, and accountability.
TechCrunch: Your work at AI Now has been instrumental in exposing the power dynamics behind the tech industry’s concentration of wealth and influence. Can you elaborate on this issue?
Amba Kak: Yes, I’d be happy to. The current state of the tech industry is characterized by a small group of companies, often led by white men, accumulating immense wealth and power. These individuals act with impunity, even as their platforms have enormous social and economic impacts. This concentration of power can lead to exploitation, bias, and harm – particularly for minoritized communities.
TechCrunch: How do you navigate the challenges of working in an industry that often seeks to discredit critique from outsiders?
Amba Kak: It’s essential to stand your ground and assert your expertise, even when faced with skepticism or discrediting attempts. Women, people of color, and other minoritized identities must not be deterred from contributing their perspectives and critiques. We have as much a stake in shaping the future of AI as anyone else – perhaps more so, given that its impacts may disproportionately affect us.
TechCrunch: What advice would you give to women seeking to enter the AI field?
Amba Kak: My advice is twofold: first, be confident in your ability to contribute and critique. Don’t let the industry’s systemic biases or gatekeeping discourage you from speaking up. Second, prioritize building alliances with other minoritized individuals who share your concerns and values. Together, we can create counter-narratives and alternative imaginations for a more just AI future.
TechCrunch: As we continue our series of interviews with women in AI, what do you hope readers will take away from your experiences and insights?
Amba Kak: I hope that readers will come to understand the importance of diverse perspectives and voices in shaping AI development. I also hope they’ll be inspired to join us in advocating for a more equitable and just AI future – one where technology serves humanity’s highest values, not just the interests of a few powerful individuals.
Stay tuned for our next installment in this series!
Topics Covered:
- AI
- Amba Kak
- DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)
- GenAI (General Artificial Intelligence)
- Policy
- Women in AI
