AI, Ain’t I A Woman?

~ letstalklibrary4001

Image credit: Joy Buolamwini

Can artificial intelligence technology guess the gender of Oprah, Serena, Michelle, and other iconic women? That’s the question Canadian computer scientist and founder of the Algorithmic Justice League Joy Buolamwini poses in this three-and-a-half minute YouTube video.  Before you watch the video, what do you think the answer will be, especially given that the three women Buolamwini mentions are so well known that she can omit their last names? Now click “play.” 

Watch it here.

EXPLORE, REFLECT, SPEAK UP.

  1. Why do you think Buolamwini made the rhetorical choice to present her argument as a visual spoken word poem? How else might she have chosen to present the argument—and would a different choice (a written argument? a traditional speech?) have been more, or less, effective? Why? What does the choice of medium tell you about the audience Buolamwini seems to be addressing in her argument? 
  1. Take a look at Buolamwini’s use of repetition and rhyme in this poem. What does she choose to repeat, and why, and to what effect? Choose two or three uses of rhyme and read the passages out loud: how does the rhyme affect you as a reader/listener? Do any rhymes surprise you, and if so, why? 
  1. LET’S TALK. Did you notice that this video was posted in June of 2018? Does that surprise you? Working with two or three classmates, take a close look at all the images in the video and read all the captions. Then consider the algorithmic biases at work. Given how much has changed in AI technology since 2018, do you think these biases would still be present today? Do a little research, or even try replicating the experiment with your group. How might Buolamwini’s video be different—or not—if she created it today? 
  1. AND NOW WRITE. As of 2025, there are well over a hundred comments on Buolamwini’s performance. Skim through some of these responses, and then compose a paragraph-long response of your own, either joining a conversation begun by others in the comments or starting a new one. Bring it to class to share, and consider posting it on YouTube.  

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