AI, Digital Justice, and Creating a Fair and Just World with Avriel Epps

Dr. Dan interviews Dr. Avriel Epps, a dynamic scholar, author, and strategist whose work sits at the crossroads of transformative justice and artificial intelligence. With a PhD in Human Development and a masters in Data Science from Harvard University, Dr. Epps brings a fresh and critical perspective to conversations about technology, equity, and social justice. On today’s episode, Dr. Dan and Dr. Epps explore her work around how bias in predictive technologies affects racial, gender, and sociopolitical identity development. She aims to understand the complex ways that algorithm design and computer-mediated social expectations—often communicated through artificial intelligence systems—impact the beliefs, behaviors, and health of developing humans. On today’s episode, listeners will hear explanations and examples about how AI can sometimes reinforce unfairness. Dr. Dan and Dr. Epps urge us to be part of the solution by demanding technology that works for everyone, not just a few. Dr. Avriel Epps is a former child actor and an R&B artist turned algorithmic justice expert. Her work shows us that AI is not neutral, reminds us algorithmic bias impacts are real, and urges us to question technology.  In the Fall of 2025, she will begin her tenure as Assistant Professor of Fair and Responsible Data Science at Rutgers University. For more information www.avrielepps.com and follow @kingavriel on Instagram. Please listen, follow, rate, and review Make It a Great One on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow @drdanpeters on social media. Visit www.drdanpeters.com and send your questions or guest pitches to [e-mail]. We have this moment, this day, and this life—let’s make it a great one. – Dr. Dan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices