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For more insights from interviewer Farida Khalaf, see her Lights On by Farida newsletter or youtube.com/@faridakhalaf25.

About My Guest: Tatyana Amugo

Today I (Farida Khalaf) am joined by Tatyana Amugo. Representing the Builder perspective, her chapter addresses a profound and provoking reality: that most modern technological products were not actually built for everyone. Tatyana is a Gen Z software developer and AI engineer originally from Kenya and now based in Toronto.

Through her work and her chapter, she explores the “friction” experienced by Black and brown technologists and those from the Global South when using tools designed with a narrow, “default” worldview. Tatyana brings a powerful and necessary Gen Z perspective to the table, and it was a true pleasure to see her generation taking such deliberate action to embrace the AI conversation, ensuring they are in the rooms where the future is being decided rather than being left behind. Whether she is breaking down complex concepts in her newsletter, Lipgloss and LLMs, or advocating for Digital Justice, Tatyana is helping to shape a world where being “included” is just the starting point for genuine sovereignty

In this second interview for our second book collaboration, Tatyana explores how the physical "friction" of tools not designed for you can be reclaimed as "precise data" to measure system errors. She shares how the legacy of the Matilda Effect, the systematic erasure of women's technical contributions, drives her to ensure Gen Z isn't just demonstrating for change, but is actively participating in the rooms where AI architecture is decided. Whether you are a Black or brown technologist who has felt the "scissors pull wrong" or a curious learner looking to understand LLMs through the lens of your favorite lip gloss, Tatyana’s insights offer a roadmap for building a window to a future that prioritizes digital justice over mere inclusion.

This episode includes Tatyana’s full interview response to Farida Khalaf’s questions on her chapter, Building With AI Tools That Weren’t Built For You

Intended Audience: Anyone who has felt the "edges" of technology, specifically women, Black and brown technologists, and developers from the Global South, as well as those who want to understand the invisible barriers in AI design. It is also for anyone who feels intimidated by technical jargon and wants a safe, accessible space to learn

If you’re interested in more conversations like this, consider subscribing to She Writes AI. I’ll continue sharing insights from the voices shaping the future of AI, including contributors from new chapters in AI Everywhere where 31 women from across five continents explore how artificial intelligence is changing the world we live in, and how we can change it for the better.

Where To Buy, How To Read and Listen, Ways To Review, Ways To Support

The AI Everywhere book series brings together multidisciplinary voices to explore how artificial intelligence is being developed, who is shaping it, and what narratives are often left out. Rather than treating AI as purely technical innovation, it emphasizes history, responsibility, and the human decisions behind the systems we use every day.

Drawing from her background as an embodied philosopher with degrees in neuroscience, and her work as the host of Love and Philosophy, Andrea explores how AI can be oriented toward meaningful human and ecological connection. She reframes AI as a vehicle that humans must consciously orient toward a purpose, rather than focusing solely on the “loop” between a technology and a person.

In this conversation with Farida Khalaf, Andrea’s insights uncover why we must stop “mistaking the map for the territory” when interacting with large language models. She explores how to break the “trance” of automated interaction and why preserving relational friction, the tension and friction that define real life, is the most powerful way to ensure that technology serves our collective well-being.

To join future live video interviews and events, subscribe to SheWritesAI and get the Substack app.

For more insights on the book, see aiEverywhereBooks.com - our beautiful book series website created by Blessing Okpala, PhD.

Thanks for listening to She Writes AI Community! Subscribe for free to receive new posts like these interviews, weekly digests, & book news and to support our work.

The AI Everywhere book series brings together multidisciplinary voices to explore how artificial intelligence is being developed, who is shaping it, and what narratives are often left out. Rather than treating AI as purely technical innovation, it emphasizes history, responsibility, and the human decisions behind the systems we use every day.

Drawing from her experience at Microsoft and her work as the author of AI Baby, Celeste explores how AI is being developed in an environment driven by speed, competition, and deep uncertainty. At the same time, she challenges the dominant historical narrative that has overlooked key figures such as Ada Lovelace, Grace Hopper, and Radia Perlman.

In this conversation with Farida Khalaf, Celeste’s insights uncover how the story of AI has been shaped, how women’s contributions have often been erased from the narrative, and why building accountable AI requires confronting both history and the systems being built today.

To join future live video interviews and events, subscribe to SheWritesAI and get the Substack app.

For more insights on the book, see aiEverywhereBooks.com.

The purpose of the AI Everywhere book series is to highlight not just the “what” of AI innovation, but the “how” of using AI systems safely and confidently. If you have ever felt overwhelmed by constant notifications, endless scrolling, or the pressure to keep up in an always-on digital world, Brie-Anna Willey brings a much-needed perspective. Drawing from her experience as a therapist and business strategist, she explores how AI-driven environments can contribute to burnout, how they influence our attention and emotional well-being, and why staying grounded in our humanity is more important than ever. She introduces the concept of the “Compassion Reset” as a way to reconnect with ourselves, set boundaries with technology, and restore balance in both our personal and professional lives.

In this conversation with Farida Khalaf, Brie-Anna’s insights shed light on the hidden cost of constant connectivity, the impact of AI on our daily lives beyond the workplace, and practical ways to protect our mental health while still benefiting from these powerful tools.

Thanks for listening to She Writes AI Community! Subscribe for free to receive new posts like these interviews and support our work.

The purpose of the AI Everywhere book series is to highlight not just the “what” of AI innovation, but the “how” of using AI systems safely and confidently. In her chapter, Dhani Ramadhani explores the distinct challenges and opportunities families face in the AI era. She examines how parents navigate job uncertainty while AI reshapes children's education and relationships via AI companions, and addresses parental concerns around CSAM and unhealthy attachments while highlighting opportunities like AI tutors and household assistants..

In this conversation with Farida Khalaf, Dhani’s insights illuminate experiences with AI that will resonate with parents worldwide.

To join future live video interviews and events, subscribe to SheWritesAI and get the Substack app:

The purpose of the AI Everywhere book series is to highlight not just the “what” of AI innovation, but the “how” of using AI systems safely and confidently. In her chapter, Lisa Raehsler shares her expertise on how ads seem to know exactly what you want; how AI powers targeted ads, predicts purchase intent, and adjusts ad copy based on the viewer; and how companies analyze behavior to better understand what customers want. Lisa examines both the benefits, such as seeing more relevant ads, and the challenges, including concerns about data use and privacy. She uses real-world examples to show how AI is reshaping the way brands communicate and drive results.

In this conversation with Farida Khalaf, Lisa’s insights illuminate how those uncannily-accurate ads keep popping up, how our data is being used in advertising & marketing, and what we can do to protect our privacy.

To join future live video interviews and events, subscribe to SheWritesAI and get the Substack app.

I’m going to start by interviewing Farida about her involvement with the book, and then she’s going to ask me a few questions!

Karen Smiley interviews Farida Khalaf

Farida Khalaf interviews Karen Smiley

References

Announcement

Book purchasing information

* Buy on Amazon via KDP Marketplace

* Tips from our publisher on how to buy an Amazon ebook from a non-KDP-marketplace country, and how to read it without a Kindle device

* Purchasing and review links (we’re on Amazon, Goodreads, and Storygraph)

aiEverywhereBooks.com - our beautiful book series website created by Blessing Okpala, PhD

She Writes AI Community book series info

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