A research institute examining the social implications of artificial intelligence
We’re hiring a Lead Research Scholar for Global Programs – learn more and apply.
The AI Now Institute at New York University is an interdisciplinary research center dedicated to understanding the social implications of artificial intelligence. Our work focuses on four core domains:
Rights & Liberties
Rights & Liberties
As artificial intelligence and related technologies are used to make determinations and predictions in high stakes domains such as criminal justice, law enforcement, housing, hiring, and education, they have the potential to impact basic rights and liberties in profound ways. AI Now is partnering with the ACLU and other stakeholders to better understand and address these impacts.
Labor & Automation
Labor & Automation
Automation and early-stage artificial intelligence systems are already changing the nature of employment and working conditions in multiple sectors. AI Now works with social scientists, economists, labor organizers, and others to better understand AI's implications for labor and work – examining who benefits and who bears the cost of these rapid changes.
Bias & Inclusion
Bias & Inclusion
Data reflects the social, historical and political conditions in which it was created. Artificial intelligence systems ‘learn’ based on the data they are given. This, along with many other factors, can lead to biased, inaccurate, and unfair outcomes. AI Now researches issues of fairness, looking at how bias is defined and by whom, and the different impacts of AI and related technologies on diverse populations.
Safety & Critical Infrastructure
Safety & Critical Infrastructure
As artificial intelligence systems are introduced into our core infrastructures, from hospitals to the power grid, the risks posed by errors and blind spots increase. AI Now studies the ways in which AI and related technologies are being applied within these domains and aims to understand possibilities for safe and responsible AI integration.
Rights & Liberties
As artificial intelligence and related technologies are used to make determinations and predictions in high stakes domains such as criminal justice, law enforcement, housing, hiring, and education, they have the potential to impact basic rights and liberties in profound ways. AI Now is partnering with the ACLU and other stakeholders to better understand and address these impacts.
Labor & Automation
Automation and early-stage artificial intelligence systems are already changing the nature of employment and working conditions in multiple sectors. AI Now works with social scientists, economists, labor organizers, and others to better understand AI's implications for labor and work – examining who benefits and who bears the cost of these rapid changes.
Bias & Inclusion
Data reflects the social, historical and political conditions in which it was created. Artificial intelligence systems ‘learn’ based on the data they are given. This, along with many other factors, can lead to biased, inaccurate, and unfair outcomes. AI Now researches issues of fairness, looking at how bias is defined and by whom, and the different impacts of AI and related technologies on diverse populations.
Safety & Critical Infrastructure
As artificial intelligence systems are introduced into our core infrastructures, from hospitals to the power grid, the risks posed by errors and blind spots increase. AI Now studies the ways in which AI and related technologies are being applied within these domains and aims to understand possibilities for safe and responsible AI integration.
Latest
We’re hiring a Lead Research Scholar, Global Programs
Applications accepted through February 15.
AI Now is seeking a full-time Lead Research Scholar to develop and expand AI Now’s global research, programs and partnerships. The ideal candidate will be prepared to work directly with Amba Kak, our Director of Global Policy and Programs, to help design and implement the stra...
Latest
Call for Submissions: A New AI Lexicon
Responses and Challenges to the Critical AI discourse
We're launching ‘A New AI Lexicon’, a project exploring new language and new definitions anchored in global concerns around concentrated tech power, surveillance and data accumulation, and AI.
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AI in 2020: A Year to Give Us Pause
After careful discussion our team decided not to publish a major year-end report.
We're slowing down and reflecting on our work, and how we can best contribute to justice in the midst of a rapidly changing field in 2021. Read our full statement.
Latest
AI Now submits testimony to NYC City Council
On discrimination in automated employment decision tools.
AI Now researcher Dr. Sarah Myers West gave testimony to the NYC City Council on discrimination in automated employment decision tools.
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AI Now Launches “Regulating Biometrics: Global Approaches and Open Questions”
8 case studies on regulating biometrics
Amid heightened public scrutiny, interest in regulating biometric technologies has grown significantly in many parts of the world.
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AI Now submits comments to the European Commission on AI policy
Amba Kak, Rashida Richardson, and Roel Dobbe submitted comments to the European Commission's Whitepaper on AI
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AI Now submits comments to the Australian Human Rights Commission on AI and human rights
Kate Crawford, Amba Kak, and Jason Schultz submitted comments to the Australian Human Rights Commission’s extensive proposals on a human rights framework for artificial intelligence.
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AI Now's comments to Canada’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner on data privacy law and AI
Amba Kak and Rashida Richardson submitted comments to Canada’s Office of the Privacy Commission responding to proposals for ensuring appropriate regulation for artificial intelligence.
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AI Now’s Testimony to the European Parliament
On the risks and harms of predictive policing
AI Now's Executive Director Andrea Nill Sánchez testified before the European Parliament on the dangers of predictive policing systems. Read the full testimony.
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AI Now’s Testimony to the House Oversight Committee
A call to halt the use of facial recognition
AI Now’s Co-Founder Meredith Whittaker on the dangers of Facial Recognition technology
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AI Now submits Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
AI Now submitted an amicus curiae brief in support of the ACLU of Pennsylvania and in opposition of the Special Master's recommendation for Philadelphia to develop and use a pre-trial risk assessment to improve bail decisionmaking.
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Announcing AI Now’s Data Genesis Program
Studying and demystifying training data
We are thrilled to announce the official launch of the Data Genesis research program at the AI Now Institute at NYU.
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AI Now's Testimony to the New York City Council
Written testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Technology Oversight Hearing on Automated Decision Systems
On January 22, AI Now's Director of Policy Research, Rashida Richardson, testified before the New York City Council's Committee on Technology on the urgency to address and regulate City agency use of Automated Decision Systems. Read the full testimony here.
Latest
AI Now's Testimony to New York City Council
Written Testimony to the New York City Council on Creating Comprehensive Reporting and Oversight of NYPD Surveillance Technologies
On December 18th, Genevieve Fried, Technology Fellow at AI Now, testified before the New York City Council on the need for transparency around the existence and use of surveillance technology by NYPD. Read the full written testimony.
Latest
AI Now 2019 Report
Read our annual report
Our 2019 Report examines new research on the risks and harms of AI, including its use by companies to aggressively manage and control workers, its climate impact, and the growing use of facial and affect recognition. We also look at the growing movements that are demanding a h...
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Confronting Black Boxes
A Shadow Report of the New York City Automated Decision System Task Force
In 2017, New York City became the first US jurisdiction to create a task force to come up with recommendations for government use of ADS. *Confronting Black Boxes* is a community powered shadow report that provides a comprehensive record of the Task Force’s community engagemen...
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AI Now's Testimony to New York City Council
Written Testimony to the New York City Council on the use of Electronic Health Records
On November 20th, Varoon Mathur, Tech Fellow at AI Now, testified before the New York City Council on privacy and security concerns on the use of Electronic Health Records. Read the full written testimony.
Latest
The Apple Card Controversy
Algorithmic bias builds on long patterns of historical discrimination. And the same communities are hit the hardest
The Apple Card set off an outcry over algorithmic discrimination online – if only all claims of AI bias were taken so seriously. Sarah Myers West examines the latest in a string of examples that illustrate why AI doesn’t work for everyone.
Latest
Disability, Bias, and AI
Read our latest report
While much AI bias research and reporting has focused on the axes of race and gender, there has been much less attention paid to disability. Our latest report, Disability, Bias, and AI, draws from a wealth of research from disability advocates and scholars, and examines what d...
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Comments to HUD Proposed Rule
Comments to HUD Proposed Rule on the Fair Housing Act's Disparate Impact Standard
AI Now, NYU Law's Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law, and other scholars submitted the following comments to the US Department on Housing and Urban Development regarding its proposed rule on the Fair Housing Act's disparate impact standard and defense.
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Videos from the AI Now 2019 Symposium
Watch now
Videos from the AI Now 2019 Symposium: The Growing Pushback Against Harmful AI are now live on our website and YouTube channel.
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AI and Climate Change
How they’re connected and what we can do about it
While the tech industry claims to be “green,” tech’s climate impact is significant and growing. AI Now's Roel Dobbe and Meredith Whittaker review the role of AI and advanced technology in climate change, and outline seven steps policymakers can take to address their outsized i...
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AI in 2019: Year in Review
Opening remarks from our 2019 Symposium on the growing pushback against harmful AI
AI Now Co-Founders Kate Crawford and Meredith Whittaker kicked off our 2019 Symposium by recapping the critical moments and people who defined a growing movement that is pushing back against harmful AI technologies and systems.
Latest
Call for Postdoctoral Researchers
Apply by November 19, 2019
AI Now is hiring postdoctoral researchers whose work resonates with the Institute's mission. We welcome applications across a range of interests and disciplines.
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AI Now and allies submit testimony to MA Joint Committee
Read the Testimony
AI Now with other researchers and organizations provided testimony in support of Massachusetts Legislation, S.1876/H.2701, which creates a Commission on government use of automated decision-making and artificial intelligence systems.
Latest
Litigating Algorithms 2019 U.S. Report
New Challenges to Government Use of Algorithmic Decision Systems
Following up on our 2018 report, Litigating Algorithms 2019 U.S. Report examines recent U.S. lawsuits brought against government use of ADS, and how fighting these systems in the court has helped mitigate some of the harm caused by these systems.
Latest
How To Interview a Tech Company
A Guide for Students
Tech spends millions recruiting students, even as issues of tech equity and ethics move to the center of public discussion. To help ethically-minded students navigate recruiting season, we drafted 10 questions they can use to interview a tech company.
Latest
Announcing AI Now’s Executive Director
Join us in welcoming Andrea Nill Sánchez
After an extensive search, we’re thrilled to share that Andrea Nill Sánchez will join the AI Now Leadership Team as Executive Director.
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Introducing the newest AI Now team members
Welcoming our Director of Global Strategy and Programs
We’re thrilled to share that Amba Kak will join AI Now as Director of Global Strategy and Programs. Meet Amba and other members of our newly expanded team.
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We’re Hiring an Editorial Lead
Working across research, operations, and communications
AI Now is seeking a full-time Editorial Lead to work with AI Now’s research team in developing reports, blog posts, and other communications for public audiences.
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AI Now 2019 Symposium
Wednesday, October 2nd at 6pm at NYU’s Skirball Center
Join us on October 2nd at the AI Now 2019 Symposium. This year, we’re providing behind-the-scenes insights from those at the frontlines of the growing pushback against harmful AI. Tickets will become available on August 26th.
Latest
We’re Hiring a Research Lead
Driving forward our work on Gender, Race, and Power in AI
AI Now is seeking a full-time Research Lead to design and develop AI Now’s strategy and programs related to AI, Gender, Race, and Power research.
Latest
We’re Seeking an Executive Director
Expanding AI Now’s Leadership Team
AI Now is seeking an Executive Director (ED) to join our Leadership Team at this exciting moment in our organization’s growth. The ED will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for AI Now’s staff, programs, funding, and execution of its mission.
Latest
AI Now’s Testimony to US House Committee
Written Testimony to the US House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
On June 26th, Meredith Whittaker, Co-founder and Co-director of AI Now, testified before the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology on the societal and ethical implications of AI. Read the full written testimony.
Latest
AI Now's Testimony to US Senate Subcommittee
Written Testimony to the US Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet
On June 25th, Rashida Richardson, AI Now's Director of Policy Research, testified before the United States Senate's Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet. Read the full written testimony.
Latest
AI Now 2019 Symposium
Join us on Wednesday, October 2 at 6pm at NYU’s Skirball Center
Save the date for this year’s AI Now Symposium. Launched in 2016, our annual Symposium brings together leading experts to discuss the biggest challenges we face as AI moves further into our everyday lives. This event is free and open to the public. Join our mailing list to be ...
Latest
Expanding our team at AI Now
Welcoming our newest researchers
We are excited to announce our second cohort of postdoctoral associates, who will be joining us in September 2019.
Latest
Discriminating Systems: Gender, Race, and Power in AI
Read our new report
The lack of diversity in AI workplaces and biased technologies are deeply interconnected issues. This pilot study represents the first stage of a multi-year project examining the intersection of gender, race, and power in AI.
Latest
Gender, Race, and Power in AI: A Playlist
Read along with us
Scholars of diverse gender and racial backgrounds have been sounding the alarm about inequity and discrimination in artificial intelligence for decades. Read the work that has inspired us.
Latest
We’re Hiring an Executive Assistant
Apply by April 30, 2019
AI Now is seeking an exceptional Executive Assistant to provide administrative and project management support to one of the Co-Founders and Co-Directors of the Institute.
Latest
AI Now 2018 Report
Read our report on the state of AI
Building on AI Now’s 2016 and 2017 reports, this year’s report contends with the central problem of accountability in AI, and provides 10 practical recommendations that can help create frameworks capable of governing these powerful technologies.
Latest
Videos from the AI Now 2018 Symposium
Ethics, Organizing and Accountability
Videos from the AI Now 2018 Symposium on Ethics, Organizing, and Accountability are now live on our website and YouTube channel. Watch and share!
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