Dear John,

As a social scientist and policy advisor, part of my work involves researching the social implications of new and emerging technologies such as genomics and artificial intelligence (AI).

The Innocence Project has championed the responsible use of robust science and technology to reverse injustice. I’m deeply appreciative of the unflagging dedication of the Innocence Project team, and I was thrilled to join their Board of Directors in 2023.

The Innocence Project works every day to ensure that uses of genetic science and AI help to mitigate — not deepen — the crisis of wrongful conviction in this country and create a more just, compassionate, and equitable legal system. That’s why I’m reaching out to you today and asking for your support. 

The Innocence Project’s big end-of-fiscal-year deadline is right around the corner, and if we want to make sure they can accomplish everything they’ve set out to do over the next 12 months, we need people like you to chip in. Will you make a donation today?

New technologies are scaling and accelerating certain risks to our civil rights.

For instance, there have been at least seven confirmed cases of misidentification related to the use of facial recognition technology, six of which involve Black people who have been wrongfully accused. Facial recognition technology has been shown to misidentify people of color partly because its algorithms often fail to distinguish facial features and darker skin tones adequately. And unanswered questions remain about whether and under which circumstances these technologies should even be used at all.

However, these same technologies may also be helpful in protecting our rights. At the heart of rapid acceleration in adopting new technology, there must be an understanding that technology is a tool and foundational rights and norms still govern them. 

Working with the Innocence Project to better understand how we can steward AI and other tech to abide by these enduring rights will only strengthen our efforts to prevent wrongful convictions and transform our criminal legal system.
​​​​​​
But we need your help today to do that. Will you make a donation before the end of the month to help them reach their goals so we can all work together to create better systems of justice for everyone?

Thank you for everything,

Dr. Alondra Nelson 
Social Scientist and Innocence Project Board Member