Biography

Dr. Jaye Nias is a Senior Research Scientist at the Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HCAI) Institute at Howard University, where she focuses on the cultural dimensions of technology design and evaluation. Her work spans human-computer interaction, natural language processing, and culturally responsive approaches to AI, particularly in relation to Black language and identity.

Her projects explore how AI systems engage with African American Vernacular English (AAVE), support culturally grounded learning, and enable more empathetic, socially responsible user interactions. She has led collaborations with institutions such as Spelman College and the Mozilla Foundation to advance inclusive AI tools, culturally relevant computing pedagogy, and ethical dataset development.

Dr. Nias is the founder of the Brave IDEAS Lab (Interaction Design Engaging the Advancement of Society), a research collective focused on equity-centered design, education, and applied computational methods. Her current work includes evaluating large language models (LLMs) through a cultural lens, designing AI-driven learning platforms rooted in Black history and spiritual traditions, and contributing to Department of Defense-funded research on AI-assisted decision-making.

Committed to mentoring the next generation of socially engaged scholars and technologists, Dr. Nias brings a relational and justice-oriented perspective to the development of intelligent systems.