Race to the Future? Reimagining the Default Settings of Technology and Society

Explore the intersection of technology, race, and society in this thought-provoking plenary lecture from the 2021 AAAS Annual Meeting. Delve into the concept of the "New Jim Code," examining how seemingly neutral technologies can perpetuate and deepen discrimination. Gain insights into biased algorithms, discriminatory designs, and the potential for technology to both reinforce and challenge social inequities. Learn to critically evaluate tech promises through a historically and sociologically informed lens. Discover how race itself can be viewed as a tool for stratifying society and consider the potential for using technology as a means of liberation. Engage with the ideas of Ruha Benjamin, Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University and author of "Race After Technology," as she challenges viewers to question not only the technologies we consume but also those we create.