'Uncovering Algorithms: Conversations on the Impact of AI' brings together a series of in-depth interviews with leading voices in AI and technology ethics, exploring the pressing ethical, societal, and environmental challenges posed by artificial intelligence. Rather than academic analysis, the book presents accessible, conversational narratives that make complex ideas easy to grasp. We explore a wide range of themes - from data exploitation and digital colonialism to AI’s impact on creativity, Indigenous data sovereignty, climate change, and political polarisation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

CHAPTER 1: How does AI affect us, and why do transparency, ethics, and regulation matter? - Natalia Domagala CHAPTER 2: How is AI fuelled by underpaid human labour? - in conversation with Adrienne Williams and Mila Miceli CHAPTER 3: How does digital imperialism in AI impact Indigenous communities? - in conversation with Keoni Mahelona CHAPTER 4: How is AI changing the world of work? - in conversation with Gina Neff CHAPTER 5: How does AI affect democracy? - in conversation with David Runciman CHAPTER 6: How does AI perpetuate existing biases and discrimination? - in conversation with Abeba Birhane CHAPTER 7: How is AI reshaping art and creativity? - in conversation with Julia Janssen CHAPTER 8: How does AI interact with climate change? - in conversation with Priya Donti CHAPTER 9: How does AI alter social relations and our perception of reality? - in conversation with Manuel Sainsily

Contributors (in alphabetical order):

• Abeba Birhane, Adjunct Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin, featured in TIME's 2023 AI list, and expert on AI accountability.
• Adrienne Williams, Research Fellow at DAIR and Just Tech, focusing on labour and education reform in tech industries.
• David Runciman, former Cambridge professor, political analyst and podcaster, examining AI’s role in political polarisation.
• Gina Neff, Professor of Responsible AI at Queen Mary University London and Executive Director of the Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy at Cambridge, renowned for her research on the impact of digital information on work and society.
• Julia Janssen, artist and advocate for data rights, exploring AI fairness through interactive installations.
• Keoni Mahelona, CTO at Te Hiku Media, leading indigenous data sovereignty projects.
• Manuel Sainsily, AI ethics advocate and TEDx speaker, recognised by NVIDIA, Mozilla, and OpenAI for his work on cultural preservation and AI.
• Milagros Miceli, sociologist and computer scientist, leading research on data workers and AI ethics at Weizenbaum Institute.
• Priya Donti, MIT professor and co-founder of Climate Change AI, innovating in machine learning for renewable energy.

Together, their work provides a comprehensive critique of AI’s societal, ethical, and environmental impact.

FURTHER DETAILS:

Editor: Natalia Domagala Publisher: Uncovering Algorithms Design concept: Kuba Bogacki+Aleksandra Hojszyk Photo editing and illustrations: Aleksandra Hojszyk Typesetting: Kuba Bogacki Print run: 300 First edition: 2025 Printed in Poland

EDITOR:

Natalia Domagala is an award-winning AI ethics expert, helping organisations across the public, private, and third sectors use AI ethically and effectively. In 2023, she was recognised by Mozilla as one of the world’s 25 visionaries who are making the Internet and the world a better place. In 2022, Natalia received the Excellence in AI Award in the Ethical AI Category and was chosen as one of the Top 10 most prominent female AI experts by the Perspektywy Foundation.

As the Head of Data and AI Ethics Policy at the UK Cabinet Office, she led the development of one of the first national standards for algorithmic transparency in the world and launched the first national-level public sector Data Ethicist role in the UK. She previously advised on open government and open data policies for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in the UK, and implemented open data challenges for 360Giving. Natalia has research experience in anthropology, gender, civic tech, and economic development, and she has previously co-edited a book: Situating Open Data: Global Trends in Local Contexts. She has an MSc in Local Economic Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a BA in Anthropology and Media from Goldsmiths, University of London.