While artificial intelligence is primarily developed in the Global North, its impacts are far-reaching. Today’s conversations around responsible AI, however, are generally confined to US/Canadian and European borders. To prevent adverse impacts of AI in the Global South, local representatives must not only be included in, but also drive, conversations around research priorities, definitions, and deployment of AI.
Participants will feature representatives from across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, with an emphasis on civil society and inclusivity. Questions will revolve around ‘What are examples of digital colonialism in the age of AI?’, ‘What are some of the key human rights impacts in the Global South?’, ’, ‘How do you balance power differentials between stakeholder groups?’, ‘What is the role of funding?’, ‘How do you ensure that womxn and underrepresented groups participate in the decision-making process?’, and ‘What is the responsibility of technology companies, both foreign and local?’.
If there are many participants, I plan to organize small breakout groups led by facilitators, and regroup to share learnings and insights as a plenary.
If there are only a handful of participants, we will have more time for introductions and a deeper conversation all together, without breaking into smaller groups.
We're hoping that many efforts and discussions will continue after Mozfest. Share any ideas you already have for how to continue the work from your session.:This workshop is designed to enable future discussion. The session will end with an “action plan” for next steps (for example, participants could commit to developing guidelines on preventing, mitigating and remedying adverse impacts of AI in the Global South, or they could schedule monthly calls to keep the momentum going, etc.).
To maximize outreach, the organizer could later draft a summary of the session and make it publicly available, so that other stakeholders working in this space (including technology developers) can learn from shared perspectives, and include decolonize considerations into their research and/or products.
It’s equally important to recognize who was missing in the (virtual) room and how we can include their voices in future conversations.
What is the goal and/or outcome of your session?:The session will provide a safe space for activists (with an emphasis on representatives of the Global South) to build a coalition of groups working on decolonizing AI and digital rights. It will give a platform to scholars and activists who think deeply about coloniality and AI, while exposing new thinkers to this issue. It will also connect friends old and new on the impacts of AI on the Global South.
Lawyer, researcher and activist, Marlena is currently working on AI and Human Rights at ECNL. Until recently, she oversaw the civil society and academic portfolios at the Partnership on AI.