The Hidden Biases Built Into Every AI System | Dr. Joy Buolamwini

Dr. Joy Buolamwini is a computer scientist, AI researcher, and founder of the Algorithmic Justice League. Her work has exposed how bias in artificial intelligence systems can reinforce inequality at scale and why the risks of AI go far beyond the headlines. In this conversation, Dr. Buolamwini and I explore how AI systems inherit human bias and why these biases are not just technical flaws, but deeper issues rooted in the data used to train AI. We also talk about the invisible ways AI is already shaping our lives, from algorithmic scoring and data brokers to biometric surveillance systems that most people don’t even realize they are part of. Finally, we explore what she means when she says AI could “kill us slowly.” Not through one dramatic event, but through long-term, systemic harm that limits opportunities, reinforces inequality, and quietly reshapes society over time. Grab a copy of Dr. Joy Buolamwini's book here. Timestamps: 00:00 – Can AI “Kill Us Slowly”? 02:03 – The Origin of the “Coded Gaze” 06:56 – How Bias Gets Embedded in AI Systems 09:25 – The AI Systems Quietly Shaping Your Life 13:30 – Why Biometrics and Surveillance Matter 16:09 – The Risks of Facial Recognition at Airports 23:15 – Existential Risk vs. Systemic Harm 24:29 – What Joy Means by “AI Could Kill Us Slowly” 29:02 – The Corporate Surveillance State 30:49 – When AI Gets It Wrong in the Real World 34:07 – Bias in Healthcare and Wearables 39:41 – How Bias Shows Up in Hiring and Opportunity 46:36 – The Hidden Risks of AI Photo Trends 48:26 – What Parents Should Know About Posting Kids Online 52:18 – The Future of “Faceless” Resistance 55:40 – What You Can Do Right Now 01:01:16 – “Data Isn’t Destiny” 01:06:37 – What Tech Builders Need to Do 01:12:14 – How to Get Involved 01:13:17 – Poetry, Resistance, and Closing Reflections Follow my work here: Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sineadbovell.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.sineadbovell.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sineadbovell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sineadbovell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/SineadBovell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/Sineadbovell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@sineadbovell