Nina da Hora (born 1995) is an Afro-Brazilian activist and computer scientist known for her research on algorithmic racism and her efforts to democratize access to technology making its operation transparent with an accessible language.[1][2] Hora works to incorporate and increase the number of black women in the field of technology.[3] Hora is a fellow at the Center for Technology and Society at Fundação Getúlio Vargas or (FGV).[4]
Nina da Hora | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Education | Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo |
| Occupation(s) | Computer scientist, activist |
Early life and education edit
Ana Carolina Silve das Neves da Hora better known as Nina da Hora was born in Duque de Caxias outside of Rio de Janeiro (state). She was raised by five female teachers, including her mother, aunt, and grandmother.[5] She is a digital computer science graduate from Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo in Rio de Janeiro.[3][6]
Career edit
Hora is a computer scientist at Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo, and researcher in the topics of Ethics in Artificial intelligence, technology and cyber defense. Hora began to document stories of black scientists and that initiative ended up giving rise to a podcast, Ogunhê in 2021. Additionally, Hora serves as an inspiration for the inclusion of black people, people from the periphery and, of course, women and LGBTQIA+ people in technology. As a Anti-racism hacker Hora proposes democratizing access to technology making its operation transparent with an accessible language.[3][4]
Hora is currently a member of the Security Council Advisory board for the popular Social media Tik Tok in Brazil South America.[4] She is also part of Tire meu rosto da sua mira (Get my face out of your sight, in English) a movement against the use of facial recognition technology which they believe reinforces systemic racism in Brazil.[3]
Research edit
Hora created the Institute da Hora. This research group is made up of people of Afro and Indigenous decent, and it's mission is to make technology accessible to marginalized people of African and indigenous decent in Brazil.[3]
Recognition edit
In 2021, Hora was included in Brazilian Forbes Under 30 list for bringing light to algorithmic racism. Algorithm racism is a continuation of the racism that already structures our society, but it's enhanced by computational tools. In 2017, the topic came up for Hora when she was working at a robotics startup. While working on a facial expression recognition project, she realized that the system didn't work with her, the only black person on the team.[1]
In 2024, Hora was selected for Ford Global Fellowship from the Ford Foundation.[7]
References edit
- ^ a b Galina, Décio; Guimarães, Juca; Lessa, Kátia; Gustavo Pacete, Luiz; Weber, Mariana; Mendes, Mario; Silva, Rebecca; Gomes, Simone; Vicente Bernardo, José. "Forbes Under 30 2021 List: See All the Honorees". forbes.com.br.
- ^ "AI is not going to surpass humans', says Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, owner of ChatGPT: Expert said that jobs will disappear, but that this "happens in any technological revolution". The executive participated in an event on Thursday afternoon at the Museum of Tomorrow, in Rio". The Globe; Rio de Janeiro. Agência O Globo. May 18, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Díaz Campanella, Gabriel (March 24, 2023). "Nina da Hora: "Technology reinforces Brazil's structural racism problem" The anti-racist hacker is one of the most active young voices in the movement that seeks to increase the participation of black women in technology". El País | America futura.
- ^ a b c "Nina Da Hora". Stanford School of humanities and Sciences.
- ^ Gobbi, Nelson (2022-03-04). "Cientista de computação, Nina da Hora relata caso de racismo sofrido em livraria do Leblon". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2024-04-24.
- ^ Marasciulo, Marília (February 4, 2023). "Nina da Hora: "As big techs já ultrapassaram os limites da influência delas"". Revista Galileu (in Brazilian Portuguese). Globo.
- ^ Rojas, Gaby M. (April 3, 2024). "Ford Foundation Announces 26 New Members of Ford Global Fellowship". MBE.