Project members look back on their work so far. They tell us what’s been on their to-watch and to-read lists. And we find out what's bringing them joy lately.
These blogs share insights from Catalyst's Tech Justice Road Trip. We’re using them to document our learning and experiences from the project.
Working together: project love and feminist AI across the world
Kayleigh Walsh, freelance sociocracy coach – supporting consent-based decision making
“I really love this project. We've all acknowledged that the timeline is way too short, so my hope is that this is the start of long-term work rather than a one-off. Because it a) sets a precedent about how to engage with communities, and b) these projects need support that goes beyond April 2025. In terms of how we work together, I really look forward to our fortnightly meetings. We've already consented to more budget distribution which is a huge thing. It sometimes takes groups years to sign off money.”
Eva Blum-Dumontet, Head of movement building and Policy at Chayn. Chayn is developing a feminist AI tool that helps survivors of gender-based violence create letters that advocate for their rights
“We have our first consultation with survivors on Monday and I can't wait. Once we’ve taken the time to listen and think, we’ll learn loads about what direction we want to take with our AI tool project.
I’ve also just returned from the AI Action Summit in Paris. I met lots of feminist groups that are developing their own AI projects in different parts of the world. It was inspiring, but it also made me think about the importance of movement building, and ensuring that we’re supporting each other, instead of reinventing the wheel.”
Working individually: building FAI interest, creating space for reflection and a tech justice zine
Eva: “I’ve been travelling non-stop since the end of January, talking about Chayn’s AI project at meetings and conferences. The project has been met with a lot of interest, and my inboxes are full with people from other civil society organisations wanting to know more. My future steps will involve making sure the final iteration of our AI tool is well advertised. But also that we collaborate with other organisations working on similar issues.”
Nikita Shah, Hyphen Poetry, Founder – advising members and holding reflective sessions
“I’m feeling more settled and comfortable in my role. I've had some time to learn about everyone’s work. I’ve gotten to know more of the circle members and better understand all of the project’s moving parts. I have started running reflective sessions, which are helping us to:
- connect
- spark ideas
- work through crunchy moments
- support on proposal development
- learn from each other”
Kayleigh: “I had some imposter syndrome at the start, because I could see that the circle was already using consent-based decision making really well. So I didn't think I was providing much value. I knew that if I was going to stay on the project, I wanted to offer something that speaks to its wider goal.
So I've been developing a proposal which could see my participation pivot to working on offline archiving of tech justice projects. This would be the start of a patchwork quilt of work to lift up projects from the global south. The aim is for these projects’ work to be shared as a zine and for this to go on its own road trip around the UK. I was inspired by the links that get shared in our meeting chat, and thought that more people need to know about these projects.”
What we’re reading and watching: governments’ gender call on AI, a comforting newsletter and a comedy with a fresh take on the Palestinian experience
Eva: “This is very niche but there was a joint statement from governments of countries across the world (including Australia, Canada, Chile, Iceland, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom) calling for gender to be an integral part of the Paris AI summit. It might sound insignificant. But I know what it means to get so many governments around the table, and get them to sign a strongly-worded statement that’s clear about acknowledging the gendered impact of AI.”
Kayleigh: “I receive the sisterwomanvegan newsletter and it's been so tender recently. It’s been exactly what I’ve needed in these cold winter months. Safiya Robinson, the newsletter’s author, brings a vulnerability and depth that’s heartfelt and authentic. And she gave me a really great reminder that we need to dance through what life serves us, even when it doesn't feel possible.”
Nikita: “Mo on Netflix. spoiler alert Mo tells his story of navigating asylum in the USA. Season 2 sheds light on so many intricate parts of the asylum journey. And Mo takes the audience through this journey. He infuses humour in every moment whilst still holding the heavier realities he’s dealing with. Mo manages to go back home to Palestine with his mother and brother. While he’s there, we get to see him connect with his heritage, family and memories of his late father. The scenes of olive trees and olive oil throughout the show have sparked hope for Palestine.”
Celebrating inclusion, friends and resilience
Eva: “I’ve been travelling for more than 2 weeks on my own with my 11-month-old son. I’ve been amazed by the positivity and warm reception that I’ve received at events and conferences. Including at an event like the Paris AI Summit. People have been helpful and supportive and the whole experience felt inclusive.”
Kayleigh: “My amazing friend, Aditi, still sends me invites to the spaces she convenes even when she knows I can't make them at the moment (I have a baby). These were her prompts for the next one:
"...this will be a discursive dive into the many iterations of liberation we both yearn to orbit around and embody. How do we embody practices of freedom collectively and individually? How do we rupture in the quotidian spaces and places we find ourselves in? How do we disrupt the fictions we feed ourselves for ease and convenience? What hues of freedom can we imbibe in the heart of empire?"
This is the way she meanders through life, and I think that’s cause for celebration.”
Puja Basu, Camden Giving Alumni Manager. Co-producing a participatory decision-making tool for a youth grant programme with the alumni community.
“It's been incredibly moving to see the resilience of the movement in Palestine, and the global networks of solidarity that have sprung from it. I don't know how appropriate the term ‘celebratory’ is the right word in the context of the violent onslaught we have been witnessing. But I think there’s something to be hopeful for, and look forward to, in terms of how this movement has been subverting existing global hierarchies and moral orders.”
Useful links
- TechUK’s summary of the Paris AI Action Summit’s outcomes.
- The Guardian’s interview with the star of Mo, actor and writer Mo Amer.
- Catalyst’s reflections on the challenges and benefits of using sociocracy.
Eva, Kayleigh, Nikita and Puja thanks for your contributions.
---
Photo by Francesco Gallarotti on Unsplash
These blogs share insights from Catalyst's Tech Justice Road Trip. We’re using them to document our learning and experiences from the project.
Working together: project love and feminist AI across the world
Kayleigh Walsh, freelance sociocracy coach – supporting consent-based decision making
“I really love this project. We've all acknowledged that the timeline is way too short, so my hope is that this is the start of long-term work rather than a one-off. Because it a) sets a precedent about how to engage with communities, and b) these projects need support that goes beyond April 2025. In terms of how we work together, I really look forward to our fortnightly meetings. We've already consented to more budget distribution which is a huge thing. It sometimes takes groups years to sign off money.”
Eva Blum-Dumontet, Head of movement building and Policy at Chayn. Chayn is developing a feminist AI tool that helps survivors of gender-based violence create letters that advocate for their rights
“We have our first consultation with survivors on Monday and I can't wait. Once we’ve taken the time to listen and think, we’ll learn loads about what direction we want to take with our AI tool project.
I’ve also just returned from the AI Action Summit in Paris. I met lots of feminist groups that are developing their own AI projects in different parts of the world. It was inspiring, but it also made me think about the importance of movement building, and ensuring that we’re supporting each other, instead of reinventing the wheel.”
Working individually: building FAI interest, creating space for reflection and a tech justice zine
Eva: “I’ve been travelling non-stop since the end of January, talking about Chayn’s AI project at meetings and conferences. The project has been met with a lot of interest, and my inboxes are full with people from other civil society organisations wanting to know more. My future steps will involve making sure the final iteration of our AI tool is well advertised. But also that we collaborate with other organisations working on similar issues.”
Nikita Shah, Hyphen Poetry, Founder – advising members and holding reflective sessions
“I’m feeling more settled and comfortable in my role. I've had some time to learn about everyone’s work. I’ve gotten to know more of the circle members and better understand all of the project’s moving parts. I have started running reflective sessions, which are helping us to:
- connect
- spark ideas
- work through crunchy moments
- support on proposal development
- learn from each other”
Kayleigh: “I had some imposter syndrome at the start, because I could see that the circle was already using consent-based decision making really well. So I didn't think I was providing much value. I knew that if I was going to stay on the project, I wanted to offer something that speaks to its wider goal.
So I've been developing a proposal which could see my participation pivot to working on offline archiving of tech justice projects. This would be the start of a patchwork quilt of work to lift up projects from the global south. The aim is for these projects’ work to be shared as a zine and for this to go on its own road trip around the UK. I was inspired by the links that get shared in our meeting chat, and thought that more people need to know about these projects.”
What we’re reading and watching: governments’ gender call on AI, a comforting newsletter and a comedy with a fresh take on the Palestinian experience
Eva: “This is very niche but there was a joint statement from governments of countries across the world (including Australia, Canada, Chile, Iceland, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom) calling for gender to be an integral part of the Paris AI summit. It might sound insignificant. But I know what it means to get so many governments around the table, and get them to sign a strongly-worded statement that’s clear about acknowledging the gendered impact of AI.”
Kayleigh: “I receive the sisterwomanvegan newsletter and it's been so tender recently. It’s been exactly what I’ve needed in these cold winter months. Safiya Robinson, the newsletter’s author, brings a vulnerability and depth that’s heartfelt and authentic. And she gave me a really great reminder that we need to dance through what life serves us, even when it doesn't feel possible.”
Nikita: “Mo on Netflix. spoiler alert Mo tells his story of navigating asylum in the USA. Season 2 sheds light on so many intricate parts of the asylum journey. And Mo takes the audience through this journey. He infuses humour in every moment whilst still holding the heavier realities he’s dealing with. Mo manages to go back home to Palestine with his mother and brother. While he’s there, we get to see him connect with his heritage, family and memories of his late father. The scenes of olive trees and olive oil throughout the show have sparked hope for Palestine.”
Celebrating inclusion, friends and resilience
Eva: “I’ve been travelling for more than 2 weeks on my own with my 11-month-old son. I’ve been amazed by the positivity and warm reception that I’ve received at events and conferences. Including at an event like the Paris AI Summit. People have been helpful and supportive and the whole experience felt inclusive.”
Kayleigh: “My amazing friend, Aditi, still sends me invites to the spaces she convenes even when she knows I can't make them at the moment (I have a baby). These were her prompts for the next one:
"...this will be a discursive dive into the many iterations of liberation we both yearn to orbit around and embody. How do we embody practices of freedom collectively and individually? How do we rupture in the quotidian spaces and places we find ourselves in? How do we disrupt the fictions we feed ourselves for ease and convenience? What hues of freedom can we imbibe in the heart of empire?"
This is the way she meanders through life, and I think that’s cause for celebration.”
Puja Basu, Camden Giving Alumni Manager. Co-producing a participatory decision-making tool for a youth grant programme with the alumni community.
“It's been incredibly moving to see the resilience of the movement in Palestine, and the global networks of solidarity that have sprung from it. I don't know how appropriate the term ‘celebratory’ is the right word in the context of the violent onslaught we have been witnessing. But I think there’s something to be hopeful for, and look forward to, in terms of how this movement has been subverting existing global hierarchies and moral orders.”
Useful links
- TechUK’s summary of the Paris AI Action Summit’s outcomes.
- The Guardian’s interview with the star of Mo, actor and writer Mo Amer.
- Catalyst’s reflections on the challenges and benefits of using sociocracy.
Eva, Kayleigh, Nikita and Puja thanks for your contributions.
---
Photo by Francesco Gallarotti on Unsplash
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