Who the computer sees: Race, gender, and AI
Facial recognition systems can do a lot more than open your smartphone.
Dr. Carla Fehr, University of Waterloo
Time: 3:30- 5:00 pm
Location: ESB 103
Abstract:
Facial recognition systems can do a lot more than open your smartphone. They can sort faces into many categories, including emotional state, age, race, and sex. Without their consent, most Americans are included in searchable government face recognition databases. Facial recognition systems are being built into our everyday lives and an increasingly wide range of social institutions. This paper develops a case study, Gender Shades, in which scholar, activist, and public figure Joy Buolamwini identifies a now-famous failure of facial recognition systems to ‘see’ and accurately classify Black women’s faces. Gender Shades provides a valuable case to explore the benefits and limitations of feminist philosophy of science research on the significance of diversity in science and technology.