Kate Crawford

Kate Crawford is a distinguished scholar and researcher specializing in the social and political implications of artificial intelligence (AI). She holds positions as a Research Professor at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, a Senior Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research New York, and the inaugural Visiting Chair for AI and Justice at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. Over her 20-year career, her work has focused on understanding large-scale data systems, machine learning, and AI in the wider contexts of history, politics, labor, and the environment .

In 2021, Crawford authored the critically acclaimed book Atlas of AI: Power, Politics, and the Planetary Costs of Artificial Intelligence, which examines the environmental and societal impacts of AI technologies. The book has been recognized for its insightful analysis and was named one of the best books of the year by The Financial Times. Crawford's interdisciplinary approach combines technology, ethics, and social sciences to shed light on how AI systems impact society, with a particular focus on issues such as bias, privacy, surveillance, and environmental impact .

Crawford's work emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of AI systems as they act in the world to ensure that this new infrastructure never turns toxic. She has stated, “Only by developing a deeper understanding of AI systems as they act in the world can we ensure that this new infrastructure never turns toxic” . Additionally, she highlights the importance of recognizing the material origins of data, noting, “Ultimately, 'data' has become a bloodless word; it disguises both its material origins and its ends” . These insights underscore her commitment to fostering ethical AI development and addressing the broader implications of technological advancements.