Featured In NYKDaily: The Skin Detection Problem in Self Driving Cars & Data Analytics

Honored to be featured in Colin Ingram's important new article: "Does Your AI See Everyone? The Skin Detection Problem in Self-Driving Cars and Data Analytics"

As a technology leader passionate about inclusive innovation, I long shared my concerns about a critical issue in autonomous vehicle development: self-driving cars are struggling to detect pedestrians with darker skin tones—and the problem is worsening. And as a Black woman, this is personal not only for me but for all black and brown communities.

In my conversation with Colin, I emphasized that "beneath this shiny promise of innovation is a grave worry — a possible blind spot that might have a disproportionately negative effect on the safety of Black and Brown people everywhere."

The article highlights crucial findings:

• New joint research from King's College London and Peking University shows alarming disparities in pedestrian detection

• The impact is particularly severe in urban communities where walkability is essential

• Current AI datasets predominantly represent privileged demographics, creating structural barriers

I've long advocated that technology must serve everyone, regardless of gender, race, culture, or socioeconomic background. This isn't just about cars—it's about ensuring our technological future truly includes everyone. 

So, take a read of Colin's thorough investigation into why diverse datasets and inclusive testing standards aren't just nice-to-haves—they're matters of life and death.

What are your thoughts on ensuring AI development represents all communities?