Designing for Algorithmic Justice

This Masterclass explores the impact of techno-solutionism on justice. With calls to defund the police and reimagine policing, criminologist, criminal psychologist, therapeutic jurisprudence specialist, AI ethicist and data activist, Renée Cummings examines the emergent tensions in this crucial area. Participants learn about the relationship between the search for AI solutions to reduce violent police and citizen interactions and to increase accountability and transparency in policing on the one hand and the potential for draconian use of Big Data and digital oppression on the other.

An examination of ethical, diverse, equitable and inclusive approaches to AI design and deployment are explored as tools for reducing bias, discrimination, and systemic racism in algorithmic justice solutions.

About Renée Cummings:
Renée Cummings is a criminologist, criminal psychologist, therapeutic jurisprudence specialist, AI ethicist and the historic first Data Activist in Residence, at the School of Data Science, University of Virginia. She is also a community scholar at Columbia University. Advocating for more diverse, equitable, and inclusive AI, she is on the frontline of ethical AI, generating real-time responses to many of the consequences of AI. Renée also specializes in AI for social good, justice-oriented AI, social justice in AI policy and governance, and using AI to save lives. She is committed to using AI to empower and transform communities by helping governments and organizations navigate the AI landscape and develop future AI leaders. Renée works at the intersection of AI, criminal justice, racial justice, social justice, design justice, epidemiological and urban criminology, and urban health. She has extensive experience in trauma-informed justice interventions, homicide reduction, gun and gang violence prevention, juvenile justice, evidence-based policing and law enforcement leadership. Her work extends to therapeutic jurisprudence, rehabilitation and reducing recidivism. She is committed to fusing AI with criminal justice for ethical real-time solutions to improve accountability and transparency in policing, reduce violence, enhance public safety, public health, and quality of life. A thought-leader, motivational speaker, and mentor, Renée is an articulate, dynamic, and passionate speaker who has mastered the art of creative storytelling and deconstructing complex topics into critical everyday conversations that inform and inspire.