S. Craig Watkins
- MIT Sponsors:
- Fotini Christia, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society
- D. Fox Harrell, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society
- Scholar Link:Visit S. Craig Watkins's faculty page
The trailblazers in human, academic, scientific and religious freedom have always been in the minority… It will take such a small committed minority to work unrelentingly to win the uncommitted majority. Such a group may transform America’s greatest dilemma into her most glorious opportunity.
Background
An internationally recognized expert in media, S. Craig Watkins is a professor in the Department of Radio-Television-Film at The University of Texas at Austin. Watkins holds a PhD from the University of Michigan.
Interests
Watkins’ works translates research-driven knowledge into critical and creative engagement with a media, tech, and AI-driven world that grows more influential everyday. As the founding director of the Institute for Media Innovation and the director of UT’s Good Systems Racial Justice Research Focus Area (RFA), Watkins explores the implications of ethical artificial intelligence, pursuing projects that study how racial and cultural differences influence the use of artificial intelligence devices or develop chatbots for use by people with limited access to mental health services. Through the RFA, he also explores ways that algorithmic fairness can be built into the automated decision making systems that allocate critical resources and services to citizens and consumers.
News Items
The Data Dilemma of Racial Profiling
MLK Visiting Professor S. Craig Watkins discusses policing data and profiling on the Data Nation podcast.
The Future of Artificial Intelligence and Racial Equity, MLK Scholar S. Craig Watkins
MLK Visiting Professor S. Craig Watkins will discuss an emergent AI future that is inclusive, accessible, and poised to mitigate the downstream...
How artificial intelligence can help combat systemic racism
MLK Visiting Professor S. Craig Watkins looks beyond algorithm bias to an AI future where models more effectively deal with systemic inequality.
Designing AI for Racial Equity: Translating Ethics into Practice
MLK Visiting Professor S. Craig Watkins discusses ethical and responsible AI through a racial equity framework.
MIT welcomes nine MLK Visiting Professors and Scholars for 2021-22
Record number of honorees will engage in the life of the Institute through teaching, research, and other interactions with the MIT community.