Event #3

LASER, Decolonizing AI 

    The LASER Decolonizing AI conference, which brought together people from many backgrounds to     discuss the importance of situating AI within the humanities and the process of decolonizing it, was         recently organized by Stanford University. Amir Badaran from Silicon Valley was one of the presenters at the event, which featured a variety of speakers. Badaran explored the definitions of agency and intelligence as well as the idea of encouraging collaboration among AI specialists in 2018.

                                              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qRJI6hZ_Zs

          In her investigation of the Institute for Other Intelligences, Mashinka Hakopian focused on the organization's efforts to prepare women for the future and the possibilities for algorithmic justice to be established via AI. She also discussed the fields of art histories and academic writing, pushing for freedom from established hierarchies and Western perspectives that have their origins in visual canons. Notably, a fascinating topic that came to light was the origin of Venus and the significant influence Botticelli's artistic works had on AICAN's algorithm. Hakopian went into great detail on the laborious training of an algorithm that took into account more than five centuries of Western and American art genres. Another example involves the display of AI-generated art that was meant to resemble an old frame. 

          Satinder, a different speaker, emphasized the harmonious relationship between art and science and highlighted how their mutually supportive relationship can lead to novel discoveries. Karamjit Gill spoke next, highlighting the value of incorporating underrepresented groups and all facets of society in order to develop AI research. He described his role in only recruiting children with impairments for his project. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of exposing young scientists to ethical frameworks and institutions as well as the importance of thinking about actual events.

         Working with artificial intelligence (AI) calls for critical examination of the ethical discussion, accountability, transparency, and responsibility. The social function of machines and the impact they have on people and communities must be carefully considered. In addition to educating new researchers about ethics and regulatory organizations, it is crucial to promote the participation of minority women in AI research.

Sources:

“LASER Talks.” Leonardo/ISASTwith Arizona State University, leonardo.info/laser-talks. Accessed 1 June 2023.

Berggruen. “Berggruen Future of Democracy Scholar Teaching Course and Curating Exhibition at Occidental College on Art and Algorithmic Bias.” Berggruen, 3 Nov. 2021, www.berggruen.org/ideas/articles/berggruen-future-of-democracy-scholar-teaching-course-and-curating-exhibition-at-occidental-college-on-art-and-algorithmic-bias/. Accessed 1 June 2023.

Satinder, et al. “LASER, Decolonizing AI.” Zoom, interview by Victoria Vesna, 1 June 2023.