IBM CEO’s Letter to Congress on Racial Justice Reform

IBM CEO Arvind Krishna sent a letter to Congress today outlining specific policy recommendations aimed at promoting racial equality across the country. In addressing the responsible use of technology in law enforcement, he also announced that IBM has discontinued its general-purpose facial recognition and analysis software products.

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June 8, 2020

The Honorable Karen Bass

United States House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515

 

The Honorable Cory Booker

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

 

The Honorable Kamala Harris

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

 

The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries

United States House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515

 

The Honorable Jerrold Nadler

United States House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515

 

Dear Senators Booker and Harris and Representatives Bass, Jeffries, and Nadler,

In September 1953, more than ten years before the Civil Rights Act was passed, IBM took a strong position in support of equal opportunity. Thomas J. Watson, Jr., then IBM’s president, sent a message to all employees stating:

Each person in this country has an equal right to live and work in America. This company hires individuals based on their personality, skills, and qualifications for a specific job, without consideration of race, color, or religion.

Watson reinforced this commitment by refusing to comply with Jim Crow laws at IBM facilities. Yet, nearly seventy years later, the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and many others serve as painful reminders that the fight against racial injustice remains urgent.

IBM is committed to working with Congress to advance justice and racial equity. Initially, our focus is on three main areas: police reform, ethical technology use, and expanding access to education and job skills. Our recommendations include:

Police Reform – Strengthening Accountability and Oversight

New federal policies should increase accountability for police misconduct.

Congress should expand the scope of cases that can be reviewed in federal court and revise the qualified immunity doctrine, which currently limits individuals from seeking damages when their constitutional rights are violated by law enforcement. Additionally, a federal registry should be created to track police misconduct, and measures should be implemented to require state and local governments to reassess and update their use-of-force policies.

Congress should also consider legislation like the Walter Scott Notification Act, introduced by Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina. This bill would require states receiving federal funding to report more detailed information on the use of deadly force by law enforcement to the Department of Justice. Having accurate and transparent data would allow for better public oversight and analysis of these incidents.

Many of these recommendations align with the Justice in Policing Act of 2020, which was recently introduced. IBM appreciates the leadership shown in advancing these proposals and is prepared to collaborate with lawmakers from both parties to support the passage of comprehensive, bipartisan legislation.

Responsible Technology Policies – Ensuring Fairness and Transparency

Technology can increase transparency and aid law enforcement in keeping communities safe, but it must not contribute to discrimination or racial injustice.

IBM no longer provides general-purpose facial recognition or analysis software. The company strongly opposes any misuse of technology, including facial recognition tools from other providers, for mass surveillance, racial profiling, or violations of fundamental human rights. Any use of such technology must align with core values of trust and transparency. A national discussion is needed on the role of facial recognition in domestic law enforcement and how it should be regulated.

Artificial Intelligence has the potential to be a valuable tool for public safety, but both developers and users of AI systems share the responsibility of ensuring these technologies are rigorously tested for bias. When AI is used in law enforcement, bias testing should be conducted, audited, and made publicly available.

Additionally, national policy should support technology that increases police accountability and transparency, such as body cameras and modern data analytics. These tools can help ensure responsible policing and build greater public trust.

Expanding Opportunities – Education and Training for In-Demand Skills

Providing access to valuable skills and training is essential for creating economic opportunities, especially in communities of color.

To build a more inclusive workforce, there must be more accessible pathways for all Americans to gain the expertise needed for today’s job market. The need is particularly urgent in underserved communities. IBM recognizes the growing demand for “new collar” jobs – positions requiring specialized skills but not necessarily a four-year college degree. These roles, found in fast-growing industries such as cybersecurity and cloud computing, offer strong career potential. Congress should consider policies that expand access to effective programs, including:

P-TECH – Established by IBM, P-TECH is a grades 9-14 school model that allows students to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree in a STEM field at no cost. This program, currently serving 150,000 students globally, has been particularly impactful for students of color in underrepresented communities across the U.S., including Brooklyn, Chicago, Dallas, and Baltimore. Expanding P-TECH nationally would open more career opportunities for young people.

Pell Grants – While Pell Grants help many students of color access college, federal funding for non-college training programs remains scarce. Expanding eligibility to include job certification programs and skills-based training – such as those preparing students for “new collar” jobs – would create more equitable opportunities. Support should also extend to incarcerated individuals seeking to build marketable skills for reentry into the workforce.

IBM presents these recommendations with a problem-solving mindset, recognizing that they are only the beginning. The company is committed to working with policymakers to promote equity and justice, supporting initiatives that foster unity and economic growth across the country.

Sincerely,

Arvind Krishna