Karen Smiley
Independent AI
leader,
innovator,
data strategist,
ethicist, and author
Karen's debut book on AI, "Everyday Ethical AI: A Guide For Families & Small Businesses", was published on Sept. 14, 2025. It is available as a Kindle ebook, in paperback, or as a hardcover. See the Everyday Ethical AI book site to pick up your copy!
Hello and welcome to
's web home!
Karen is a long-time advocate, thinker, and independent writer on ethical and responsible AI, equity in tech, people-first culture, women in STEM, software, and technology.
Karen now writes and consults full-time on AI ethics and data strategy. In March 2024, she launched a new with two email :
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:
A close look at ethics of AI, ML, and data across
"6 'P's".
(More AI6P info below.)
This newsletter is also the home of Karen's weekly "AI, Software, & Wetware" (AISW) interviews and podcast. (More AISW info below.) -
:
A personal blog, originally titled "Agile Analytics And Beyond", where Karen advocates and writes about AI, business, culture, data,
equity & inclusion, software, technology, and more.
(More eeAI info below.)
This newsletter was also the original home of the "Women in AI and Data" directory Karen curates. (More directory info below.)
Both newsletters are FREE to read (and listen to) - no ads, no spam. See below to learn more about them.
For more on Karen's experience and background, see the
page.
AI affects we care about, we build & use, and we use daily.
Want to understand how data & AI impact these 6 'P's, and how you can use AI and data ethically & effectively in any of them? Karen founded the AI6P newsletter and podcasts for YOU.
Topics Karen covers in the AI6P newsletter
- "" ()
- "" ()
- "" ()
- "" - Deep dive that includes lots of references for further reading. For a less formal overview of AI ethics, see "" in eeAI.
- "" - Predecessor article to the above, focused specifically on the music industry and ecosystem.
- ""
- "" (coming soon, I hope; still waiting on reuse permissions)
Karen interviews people worldwide (so far, folks in ) from across a broad range of roles and industries. The audio and written conversations focus on how AI and data affect their personal and professional lives.
Curious about being a featured interview guest? Check Karen's and get in touch. Technical backgrounds or AI expertise are not required.
Listen to AI6P articles and "AI, Software, & Wetware" interviews: (Try read-aloud in Substack for non-audio articles.)
This newsletter is about delivering value with practical applications of agile, AI, analytics, software, and more, always on a foundation of inclusion and ethics.
Popular Posts:
- - See more about this directory and "She Writes AI" below.
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- For a deeper dive, see "" in AI6P.
- To go even deeper, buy Karen's new "Everyday Ethical AI" book with over 400 references! (Kindle ebook, paperback, and hardcover are all available.)
In December 2024, Karen launched a directory of women and nonbinary folks worldwide who write about AI and data on Substack. Since then, under her curation, the directory has grown from 34 women to , now covering . She has now migrated the directory to a new home in a separate , and is working with volunteers to build supportive community features.
The directory can be used via a in the , an , an , and a .
If you fit the bill and want to be included, nominate yourself!
The community now offers weekly digests with 200+ articles written by members. See all of the digests here or try the searchable table for the articles in the latest digest.
Connect with Karen Smiley
Join the conversations about AI, ethics, and inclusion! Choose one of the social media links below, or click Contact for more options for connecting with Karen.