Breaking the Chains:
Dr Calvin D. Lawrence Resigns from IBM to Lead the Fight for Ethical AI on His Own Terms
In 2025, after three decades leading AI innovation at IBM and NASA, Calvin founded IntegrityFirst.ai to redefine the future of Ethical AI. IntegrityFirst.ai offers a cutting-edge AI Ethical Framework, supported by a premier consulting group of ethical AI experts, to guide organizations through the intricate challenges of AI ethics. IntegrityFirst’s mission is to ensure AI systems are not only powerful but also ethical, equitable, and designed to serve humanity, leveraging my extensive experience to deliver scalable and responsible solutions for enterprises.
In 2022, Dr Lawrence shared his story by writing a book that exposed the harmful impacts of AI systems on people of color. Hidden in White Sight was released in 2023, becoming a bestseller and sparking a global movement.
This led to something bigger: Dr Lawrence founded AI 4 Black Kids, a nonprofit to educate and empower future generations, and launched Street Justice: AI Unhinged, a podcast uncovering real stories of those affected by AI. On the podcast, He reveals What They Don’t Want You to Know.
Why I Chose to Lead the Fight for Ethical AI
In June 2019, everything changed. A sudden health crisis forced me to pause—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. In that vulnerable moment, I found myself confronting not only my own mortality but the uncomfortable silence I had kept about the risks of artificial intelligence, especially its impact on communities like mine.
While I don’t blame the technology itself, I began to question how AI was being used—particularly in healthcare settings where algorithmic decisions can sometimes prioritize cost-efficiency over human nuance. In my case, I couldn’t help but wonder whether an impersonal system missed something a human might have seen.
That moment became my turning point.
It’s what pushed me to speak louder, push harder, and commit fully to ethical, responsible AI. I believe technology should be a bridge—not a barrier—to equity and personalized care.
Read more about my journey and the deeper conversation around AI and race-based medicine:
Race-Based Medicine in the Age of AI: Why Profit Still Trumps Patient Care.
Visit us at IntegrityFirst.ai to get more info on how you can ensure that your AI systems are ethical and trustworthy.
Where Dr Lawrence's AI Journey Took Flight: NASA and Beyond
Dr Lawrence’s journey into the world of artificial intelligence began in the early 1990s when he earned his Master’s degree in AI on a prestigious fellowship from his first employer, NASA. It was during this time that his fascination with AI blossomed, as he worked alongside some of the brightest minds tackling the challenges of early AI development.
Reflecting on those formative years, Dr Lawrence often says, “AI was different back then. Progress was constrained by technology and resources that we now take for granted.” He points to three major limitations that defined the era:
- Lack of Hardware Storage
“Back then, storage was a precious commodity,” He explains. “Today, with cloud computing, we no longer face those constraints, enabling us to handle enormous volumes of data with ease.” - Lack of Compute Power
“In the 1990s, some of the most mission-critical UNIX servers couldn’t come close to the computational power of a modern MacBook Pro,” Calvin notes. “Now, high-performance computing is accessible to almost anyone.” - Lack of Data
“We simply didn’t have the volume of data that exists today,” Dr Lawrence recalls. “What’s more fascinating—and troubling—is how we now give our personal and private data away daily. This data, which we often don’t think twice about sharing, fuels the training models that drive modern AI.”
In addition to these observations, Dr Lawrence believes that much of what is marketed as AI today doesn’t align with true machine learning or self-learning capabilities. As he puts it, “Most of the items labeled as AI today are not AI at all—they’re just a combination of analytics and the Internet of Things.”
Dr Calvin D. Lawrence: The Architect of 10 Game-Changing AI Solutions
These AI-driven solutions—designed and developed by Dr Calvin D. Lawrence—have tackled real-world challenges for clients across industries. Each was built to solve a specific problem with measurable impact. Discover how AI can transform your organization with expert insights, strategic guidance, and ethical AI solutions.
I’ve made it my mission to pull back the curtain on AI and empower people to take control of its impact on their lives. Join me, and I’ll show you how we can make sure this powerful technology is used responsibly and ethically—to protect, not harm, our communities.
The Seeds of Justice Planted Early
Dr Calvin Lawrence
saw Injustice Before He Could Define It
Dr Calvin Lawrence’s story began in the neighborhoods of public housing,
where he grew up with a front-row seat to the realities of bias in policing and the deep roots of systemic and institutional racism. Long before artificial
intelligence became a tool for social examination, young Calvin observed
patterns of discrimination and unfair treatment that would later shape his
life’s work. These early experiences ignited in him a passion for justice and
equity, a drive to question the systems around him, and a vision of technology as a force for good. He knew then that he would one day use his voice—and his expertise—to confront these injustices head-on.
Since that time, Dr Lawrence has become the go-to expert for ethical and responsible AI in both business and societal contexts
Calvin D. Lawrence, a visionary in artificial intelligence, earned his master’s degree in the 1990s, establishing himself as a trailblazer in a rapidly emerging field. With a career defined by groundbreaking achievements, he led IBM’s pioneering efforts in responsible AI, ultimately becoming the company’s first-ever CTO of Responsible AI. Recognized for his extraordinary contributions, Calvin was named an IBM Distinguished Engineer in 2015, cementing his legacy as a leader shaping the future of ethical and innovative AI solutions. He has over 30 patents and is a member of IBM’s Academy of Technology.
With a career spanning almost 30 years and numerous influential roles, including CTO of Smarter Cities, CTO of Middle East and Africa, and CTO of Cognitive Computing, Lawrence has amassed over 30 patents. He is also the award-winning author of Hidden in White Sight, a critical work examining AI's role in systemic bias, and the founder of AI 4 Black Kids, a global nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through ethical AI education.
Eight Key Insights into Dr Calvin D. Lawrence's Impact and Legacy
-
Author of the bestselling book Hidden in White Sight: How AI Empowers and Deepens Systemic Racism
-
A 30-year career in AI, designing and deploying systems that shape industries
-
Keynote speaker and trusted voice on ethical AI and technology's impact on communities of color
-
Host of the podcast Street Justice: AI Unhinged, exposing the unseen impacts of AI
-
Founder of the nonprofit AI 4 Black Kids, committed to empowering youth through AI education
-
Distinguished Engineer, IBM’s first-ever CTO for Responsible AI, and a member of IBM's AI Ethics Board
-
PhD candidate in Artificial Intelligence, graduating in 2025
-
Proud father and dedicated community advocate
Stay On the Right Side of History alongside Dr Lawrence
Dr Lawrence will engage you with real-life insights drawn from his own journey with AI. Each issue of Dr Lawrence’s renowned monthly
newsletter is packed with relatable stories, practical advice, thought-provoking discussions, lessons learned, and the tools you
need to harness the power of AI responsibly and make a positive impact in your community.