BCRW x CSC // Why AI Needs Feminism: From Campus Surveillance to Global Conflicts

April 29, 2026 | 6:30pm - 8:00pm

LeFrak Theater, Barnard Hall

Register
Add to Calendar 2026-04-29 18:30:00 2026-04-29 20:00:00 BCRW x CSC // Why AI Needs Feminism: From Campus Surveillance to Global Conflicts Why AI Needs Feminism brings feminist critical technologists Lauren Klein (Emory University / Data Feminism) and Meredith Broussard (NYU / Artificial Unintelligence) in conversation with Barnard’s Saima Akhtar (Vagelos Computational Science Center) and Gabrielle Gutierrez (Neuroscience) to examine how algorithmic surveillance is reshaping everyday life—from predictive policing in New York neighborhoods of color to the data infrastructures sustaining global conflicts and occupations. This conversation challenges the myth of “data-driven decision-making” as neutral progress and asks how feminist approaches grounded in care and accountability can offer paths toward refusal and repair. Across higher education, including at Barnard, the rapid adoption of AI reflects wider struggles over power and control. “Smart” campus security systems and learning analytics promise efficiency and personalization while quietly expanding surveillance of movement, behavior, and intellectual labor. While AI can support learning and connection, it is also worth discussing how it reinforces existing hierarchies or privileges efficiency over care, trust, and human judgment. The feminism AI needs, we insist, is not the mainstream feminism of representation or inclusion alone, but one that confronts how race, class, gender, and colonial power are built into technological systems. We ask: Who designs and benefits from these systems? Who bears their risks? And what would it mean to build technologies guided by care rather than oversight and control? This event invites collective critique and imagination—toward technologies and institutions that center people, not just data. This event is free and open to the public. ASL interpretation will be provided. Registration is required. A light reception will follow the conversation. Image credit: Clarote & AI4Media This workshop is planned to take place in-person only (LeFrak Center, Barnard Hall). We look forward to seeing you there! For more information about the Barnard CSC, go to https://www.csc.barnard.edu or follow us on Instagram and X (@barnard_csc). LeFrak Theater, Barnard Hall Barnard College barnard-admin@digitalpulp.com America/New_York public
Campus Map

Why AI Needs Feminism brings feminist critical technologists Lauren Klein (Emory University / Data Feminism) and Meredith Broussard (NYU / Artificial Unintelligence) in conversation with Barnard’s Saima Akhtar (Vagelos Computational Science Center) and Gabrielle Gutierrez (Neuroscience) to examine how algorithmic surveillance is reshaping everyday life—from predictive policing in New York neighborhoods of color to the data infrastructures sustaining global conflicts and occupations. This conversation challenges the myth of “data-driven decision-making” as neutral progress and asks how feminist approaches grounded in care and accountability can offer paths toward refusal and repair.

Across higher education, including at Barnard, the rapid adoption of AI reflects wider struggles over power and control. “Smart” campus security systems and learning analytics promise efficiency and personalization while quietly expanding surveillance of movement, behavior, and intellectual labor. While AI can support learning and connection, it is also worth discussing how it reinforces existing hierarchies or privileges efficiency over care, trust, and human judgment.

The feminism AI needs, we insist, is not the mainstream feminism of representation or inclusion alone, but one that confronts how race, class, gender, and colonial power are built into technological systems. We ask: Who designs and benefits from these systems? Who bears their risks? And what would it mean to build technologies guided by care rather than oversight and control?

This event invites collective critique and imagination—toward technologies and institutions that center people, not just data.

This event is free and open to the public. ASL interpretation will be provided. Registration is required. A light reception will follow the conversation.

Image credit: Clarote & AI4Media

This workshop is planned to take place in-person only (LeFrak Center, Barnard Hall).

We look forward to seeing you there!

For more information about the Barnard CSC, go to https://www.csc.barnard.edu or follow us on Instagram and X (@barnard_csc).

BCRW

STEM