Jay Cunningham is a computer scientist and scholar dedicated to promoting responsibility and fairness in artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) systems, data science, and human-computer interaction (HCI). He innovates on technology design through human-centered approaches of inclusive design, algorithmic & design justice, and technology public policy. Cunningham’s work spans critical computing and technology practices, specifically focusing on advancing responsible design to foster more equitable automated speech recognition and language technology experiences for Black/ African American English speakers. Cunningham is an adjunct professor of design strategy for the Iovine and Young Academy (IYA) at the University of Southern California. He has also made significant industry contributions as a visiting student researcher and intern at Google’s People + AI, Apple Human-centered AI/ML, and Microsoft Research Fairness in AI.

Project Description

Through the Just Tech Fellowship, Jay Cunningham is founding With TrUSt, a nonprofit research organization aiming to collaboratively research, design, and build artifacts that support communities organizing and managing justice-oriented futures of AI. With TrUSt will be a Black community-led research coalition that equips people with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to challenge racist assumptions in AI systems and the flawed data sets behind them. Guided by community-based participatory research methods and principles of algorithmic equity, With TrUSt is built on the idea that the potential harms of novel technology can be mitigated through meaningful involvement with the communities most at risk.