In November 2018 Knowle West Media Centre hosted a discussion event exploring the fact that whilst Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly present in our lives – in computers, machines and robots – and making important decisions on our behalf, it is also inheriting a variety of human biases.
A great line-up of speakers offered a series of provocations around the topic, exploring the fact, that in some cases, AI is increasing inequality, due to humans having programmed the systems with their conscious and unconscious biases, especially in relation to class, race, age, gender and economic background.
Our first speaker, Mark Martin from UK Black Tech, highlighted the urgent need to redress the lack of diversity within the tech, AI and Computer science workforce.
Artists Coral Manton and Birgitte Aga highlighted the gender bias and stereotypes that AI systems and voice assistants often perpetuate and shared the work they have been doing through their Women Reclaiming AI for activism project.
Rodric Yates from IBM explained how the IBM AI Fairness 360 toolkit works and suggested that we can re-programme machines and systems to address the problem of bias.
The event was curated in partnership with Black South West Network as part of Digi Cities Bristol 2018 – a week of training, networking and events aimed at developing the skills of current and future content makers throughout the creative industries.
We will be continuing to develop arts-led work around the ethics and creative possibilities of AI during 2019 and 2020.
If you are an artist, organisation or individual working in this area and would like to meet or discuss ideas please do get in touch with Martha: e-mail martha.king@kwmc.org.uk or call 0117 903 0444.
