Dr. Joy Wins The 2024 NAACP – Archewell Foundation Digital Civil Rights Award

The author of ‘Unmasking AI’ was recognized for her work in advocacy for equitable and accountable AI

BOSTON (March 14, 2024) – Algorithmic Justice League (AJL), today announced that Dr. Joy Buolamwini, founder of AJL and author of Unmasking AI, was named the 2024 NAACP - Archewell Foundation Digital Civil Rights Award recipient for her continued work in illuminating the social implications and harms of AI. Launched in 2022, the annual award celebrates a new generation of leaders who are creating transformational change at the intersection of social justice and technology — working to advance civil and human rights.

The NAACP-Archewell Foundation Digital Civil Rights Award recognizes long-term contributors to the digital rights space while also supporting a new generation of visionaries working to expand equity, including issues related to discrimination, misinformation, privacy, countering biases, limiting profiling and surveillance, improving transparency, increasing diversity in the tech sector, and more. Dr. Joy joins Dr. Safiya Noble and Nabiha Syed as the latest recipient to receive $100,000 to advance new work, expand leadership and expertise, as well as continue her impact in the field of digital equity.

“I am incredibly humbled and honored to join such an illustrious group of receipts for the Digital Civil Rights Award from the NAACP and The Archewell Foundation,” said Dr. Joy Buolamwini, Founder of the Algorithmic Justice League and author of 'Unmasking AI’. “With the rapid proliferation of AI, it is more crucial than ever to ensure that these algorithms acting as gatekeepers serve us all and do not impede on the civil rights of marginalized communities. This award will help the AJL continue our work to prevent AI harms, connect the excoded to resources and raise awareness about AI’s impact on society through our advocacy, art and research.”

The Digital Civil Rights award will be used towards AJL general operations, including supporting its harm reporting platform, where anyone who has encountered algorithmic, AI harms, biases, or triumphs can be heard. Additionally, AJL will continue its efforts in collecting information on personal experiences with facial recognition at TSA checkpoints, to help reign in the risks that facial recognition technologies (FRT) pose to civil liberties and privacy rights. The non-profit will also be supporting its upcoming documentary that will highlight real experiences with algorithmic systems–both successes and challenges–to hold companies accountable and amplify unheard voices to support the movement.

This accolade comes on the heels of Dr. Joy’s written testimony to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights on the federal government’s use of facial recognition, where she details why biometrics should be considered a high priority for civil rights and privacy regulators as well as what can be done with specific recommendations. 

For more information about the Algorithmic Justice League, visit us at www.ajl.org. To share your experiences with algorithmic systems and/or facial recognition technologies at airports, visit us at www.report.ajl.org or www.report.ajl.org/tsa-scorecard.

About the Algorithmic Justice League

The Algorithmic Justice League is a non-profit organization that combines art and research to illuminate the social implications and harms of artificial intelligence. AJL’s mission is to raise public awareness about the impacts of AI, equip advocates with resources to bolster campaigns, build the voice and choice of the most impacted communities, and galvanize researchers, policymakers, and industry practitioners to prevent AI harms. AJL is a fiscally sponsored project of Code for Science & Society. For more information, visit us at www.ajl.org. 

About the NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.