Renée Cummings

Renée Cummings is Assistant Professor of Practice in Data Science at the University of Virginia’s School of Data Science. She is also the first Data Activist-in-Residence at UVA and co-director of the Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN) at UVA. She holds affiliations with The Brookings Institution, All Tech Is Human, the World Economic Forum, Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, and the Center for AI and Digital Policy.

Her educational background includes a Community Scholar position in Artificial Intelligence and Criminal Justice at Columbia University, an M.S. in Rehabilitation Science and Substance Abuse Counseling from John Jay College, and an M.A. in Criminal Justice from John Jay College.

Professor Cummings’ research spans AI ethics, data justice, algorithmic policing, surveillance technology, and AI for criminal justice reform. She focuses on building ethically resilient, trauma-informed, and justice-oriented AI systems that enhance police accountability, transparency, and fairness through community engagement. Her work critically examines data rights, algorithmic justice, and design justice through a criminal justice lens, advocating for inclusive innovation and equitable AI development.

The available publications do not list specific article titles, but her scholarly output centers on ethical AI, AI governance, and the societal impacts of data and technology, particularly in marginalized communities. Her work integrates interdisciplinary perspectives from criminology, psychology, and public policy.

• 2023 VentureBeat AI Innovator Award

Professor Cummings mentors future AI leaders and advises governments and organizations on ethical AI deployment. She is a sought-after speaker and science communicator, translating complex AI and data ethics topics into accessible public discourse. She leads major initiatives such as PIT-UN at UVA and contributes to global AI policy through advisory roles. While no formal grants are listed, her fellowships at Brookings and All Tech Is Human suggest significant research support.

She is co-director of the Public Interest Technology University Network at UVA and actively collaborates with global academic and policy networks, including the World Economic Forum’s Data Equity Council and AI Governance Alliance, the AI & Equality Initiative at Carnegie Council, and the Global Academic Network at the Center for AI and Digital Policy.