Technologies like AI and changes in social media algorithms and content moderation are becoming incredibly advanced, which is both exciting and terrifying. The future of the internet and AI worries me, and I want to help ethically govern and regulate it to ensure it’s used responsibly and that marginalized voices, particularly women, and women of color, are considered.
Online harassment is what sparked my interest in technology policy. Disinformation campaigns often target women, especially activists and journalists who are women of color, and drive them offline, which is a free speech issue. Tech platforms need better escalation mechanisms to address this. I see ungoverned and unregulated technology causing significant harm to marginalized groups, and I want to help mitigate that harm, especially with AI, deep fakes, and disinformation affecting journalism. There’s a lot of work to be done in tech policy, and a big need for women of color and Gen Z to speak out about it.
How do you maintain a healthy relationship with tech and social media, especially in today’s generation?
It’s really difficult, and honestly, I’m not sure if I do. I feel like I’m extremely online. I’m constantly doomscrolling on Twitter. On one hand, I’m thinking about my friend who, as a journalist, received death threats on Twitter just yesterday, and on the other hand, I’m consuming memes on the same platform. There’s a push and pull relationship I have with social media. I work on algorithms and content moderation, which is stressful because I’m also a consumer. Gen Z is so chronically online that it feels inescapable.
I try to remind myself that not everything on social media is true or a good representation of reality. I make an effort to pick up a book and spend time outside, but it’s not always easy, especially since I work in this space and am active on Instagram.
What song is the soundtrack to your life?
The soundtrack to my life is “Ready or Not” by Bridgit Mendler. I absolutely love her—she’s an iconic space and tech policy and law queen—and I grew up loving the show Good Luck Charlie on Disney. Plus, “Ready or not, here I come” is my motto for any space I enter.
What woman inspires you?
Oh my gosh, Simone Biles is one of them. I fangirl over her so much, especially with the Olympics. Her resilience is incredible. Another is Rachel Maddow, the journalist. Her reporting inspired me a lot. I grew up watching her show.
What advice would you give to an incoming freshman about finding their place in STEM?
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try things, even if you haven’t traditionally been good at them. Many women shy away from STEM because they feel like it’s always been a field dominated by men. They might not realize they can be great coders or engineers too. Discomfort is crucial for growth.
I never imagined I’d intern at Amazon. But I applied and got the internship to gain tech experience and learn about big tech. It was intimidating at first, but it gave me a new perspective on my career goals. So, apply and take any opportunity you can get, even if it makes you uncomfortable. That’s the best thing you can do for yourself as you begin your career.
Photographed by Devansh Kukreja
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