Broussard
Lecture
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To Read
More than a Glitch by Meredith Broussard (chapters 10 & 11)
Meredith Broussard's More Than a Glitch explores the pervasive biases and systemic failures embedded in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, especially as they impact marginalized communities. Broussard, a data journalism professor and AI researcher, argues that these "glitches" are not mere technical errors but symptoms of deeper societal problems, including racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination. The book delves into how these biases manifest in AI, from facial recognition technology to algorithmic decision-making, and how they exacerbate existing inequalities. Broussard advocates for a more critical approach to AI development, emphasizing the need for ethical standards that prioritize fairness and equity over technological advancement.
- Ethical AI: The practice of designing, developing, and deploying AI systems in ways that are fair, transparent, and accountable. In the concluding chapters, Broussard emphasizes the importance of integrating ethical considerations into AI to prevent harm and ensure that technology serves the public good.
- Bias Mitigation: Techniques and strategies used to identify, reduce, and eliminate biases in AI systems. Broussard discusses various methods for bias mitigation, including diversifying datasets and involving more diverse voices in AI development, to create more equitable technologies.
- Tech Diversity: The inclusion of diverse perspectives, particularly from underrepresented groups, in technology design and development processes. Broussard argues that increasing diversity in tech is crucial for creating AI systems that do not perpetuate existing inequalities.
- Accountability in AI: The principle that those who design and deploy AI systems should be responsible for their impacts, especially when these systems cause harm. Broussard calls for stronger accountability measures to ensure that AI technologies do not exacerbate social injustices.
- Human-Centered Design: An approach to designing technology that prioritizes the needs, values, and experiences of humans, particularly users and those affected by the technology. In her final chapters, Broussard advocates for human-centered design as a way to ensure that AI systems are more equitable and less likely to perpetuate harm.
To Watch
To Write
- Broussard and McLuhan: In the final chapters, Broussard emphasizes the importance of designing technology with ethical considerations at the forefront. How does this emphasis on ethical design challenge or complement McLuhan's idea that "the medium is the message"? Consider whether ethical design can alter the "message" of AI technologies, or if the medium itself inherently carries the biases Broussard critiques.
- Broussard and Marcuse: Broussard concludes by discussing the necessity of diversifying the voices involved in AI development to combat systemic bias. How does this relate to Marcuse’s critique of one-dimensional thinking in One-Dimensional Man? Can Broussard’s call for diversity be seen as a form of resistance against the technological rationality that Marcuse describes? What challenges might arise in trying to diversify a field so deeply entrenched in existing power structures?
- Broussard and Deleuze: In the last chapters, Broussard discusses the potential for AI to either reinforce or resist systems of control. How does this discussion interact with Deleuze’s concept of societies of control? Can the ethical redesign of AI serve as a form of resistance within Deleuze’s framework, or does the nature of AI inherently lend itself to the perpetuation of control? Discuss the implications of Broussard's proposals in the context of Deleuze's ideas.
