Kate Crawford
All AI mindsKate Crawford, full AI read
Kate Crawford, Research Professor; Senior Principal Researcher, USC Annenberg / Microsoft Research (United States), ranks #266/520 on the AI Advancement Index (70.3). Known for Author of 'Atlas of AI'; 'Anatomy of an AI System' visualization; co-founder of the AI Now Institute; research on the material and labor costs and politics of AI. Strongest on Thought leadership (88.0, Leading).
Dimension read
| Dimension | Value | Standing | What a high vs low value means, and where Kate Crawford sits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAI AI Advancement (AAI) | 70.3 | Moderate · #266/520 | Mid-pack. High would mean among the very top minds advancing AI; low would mean lower relative influence within this elite set. ▲ high: among the very top minds advancing AI · ▼ low: lower relative influence within this elite set |
| Research influence Research influence | 74.0 | Moderate · #261/520 | Mid-pack. High would mean field-defining research contributions; low would mean limited direct research influence. ▲ high: field-defining research contributions · ▼ low: limited direct research influence |
| Frontier role Frontier role | 40.0 | Lagging · #501/520 | Low here, removed from frontier development. ▲ high: central to building today's frontier AI · ▼ low: removed from frontier development |
| Thought leadership Thought leadership | 88.0 | Leading · #20/520 | High here, shapes how the field and public think about AI. ▲ high: shapes how the field and public think about AI · ▼ low: limited public/field influence |
| Field-building Field-building | 80.0 | Strong · #92/520 | High here, builds the field, mentorship, institutions, tools, community. ▲ high: builds the field, mentorship, institutions, tools, community · ▼ low: limited field-building footprint |
| Momentum Momentum | 75.0 | Moderate · #308/520 | Mid-pack. High would mean driving AI's advancement right now; low would mean less active at the current frontier. ▲ high: driving AI's advancement right now · ▼ low: less active at the current frontier |
Strengths
- Thought leadership (88.0, Leading), shapes how the field and public think about AI.
- Field-building (80.0, Strong), builds the field, mentorship, institutions, tools, community.
Risk factors
- A significant, well-rounded contributor to AI's advancement.
AI worldview
Ideas & positions
Kate Crawford is a leading voice on the social and political implications of AI, emphasizing the material and labor costs associated with its development and deployment. She has critiqued the concentration of power in tech companies and the environmental impact of large-scale data centers. Crawford co-founded the AI Now Institute to study these issues and has published extensively on topics such as algorithmic bias, surveillance, and the ethics of AI. In her book 'Atlas of AI,' she provides a detailed examination of the global supply chains and labor conditions that underpin AI systems. She has also been a strong advocate for regulatory frameworks to ensure AI is developed and used responsibly.
What shapes the view
Crawford's views are shaped by her interdisciplinary background in media studies, cultural theory, and data science. Her work often highlights the need for government intervention to address issues like algorithmic bias and labor exploitation. She is critical of the national security framing of AI, preferring a more holistic approach that considers the broader societal impacts. Her personal and professional history, including her roles at Microsoft Research and USC Annenberg, has given her a deep understanding of the technological and social dynamics of AI.
The AI-powered future they see
Crawford predicts a future where AI will continue to reshape economies and societies, but she warns that without proper regulation and ethical considerations, it could exacerbate existing inequalities and environmental problems. She promotes a vision of AI that is more equitable and sustainable, emphasizing the importance of transparency, accountability, and democratic governance in AI development and deployment.