2024-06-13 –, Room C - Podcast Space
The hype and rapid expansion of AI into virtually all sectors of people's lives is largely driven by a few companies in the Global North. This exacerbates inequalities vis-à-vis the Global Majority, especially where the technology neglects and exploits diverse cultural and socioeconomic realities. Biased, untransparent AI datasets and models, as well as extractive data collection practices, are the cause for serious harms and a concentration of power where the few, not the many, benefit.
But a different future for AI as a tool that serves equity-seeking communities is possible. It requires reclaiming power over how we—as national, regional, and global collectives—envision AI tools to be developed by and with communities, and for public benefit.
In this session, we will jointly explore efforts to decentralize power in the AI space, to center on inclusion and diversity as necessary norms for building AI tools, and to nurture the well-being of workers behind the data and models that AI is built on. We will hear from AI and social justice experts who bring examples of how to integrate ethical considerations like bias, fairness, and accountability into AI development, and how to tackle pressing questions on gender, LGBTQIA+ and disability rights. We will confront the question of open-source AI, ownership, and data exploitation within the AI workforce. Who should own AI datasets, and how can their rights be protected? How can AI serve equity-seeking communities and promote social inclusion? Ultimately, we aim to explore how we can translate discussions into actionable solutions, from co-creating data-driven tools to regulatory frameworks. Join us in this action to shaping a more equitable and ethical AI future.
Ruth (she/they) serves as an Advisor for Artificial Intelligence and Climate at the "Fair Forward - AI for all" initiative within the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ). This initiative focuses on c-creating AI projects in Africa and Asia, striving for a more open, inclusive, and sustainable approach to AI on a global scale.
With a background in ecology and data science, Ruth has been leading projects on finding sustainable solutions for agriculture, food security, and climate change challenges. They are an advocate for the inclusion of marginalized communities in tech and science and have a passion for social and climate justice. They hold a PhD in Ecology and Computational Biology from the University of Wageningen, the Netherlands.
In his professional life, Daniel Brumund (he/him) works as technical advisor on AI and digital public goods with GIZ's initiative "FAIR Forward - Artificial Intelligence for All". Recently, he has been focusing on community-driven data collection, NLP in low-resource languages, open-source business models as well as equitable data governance and licensing towards more inclusive, open and sustainable AI.
Privately, Daniel loves the outdoors, sitting under a tree with a thought-provoking book, attempts to be a photographer during travels, and generally operates better with a good flat white and sufficient food.
Karlina (she/her) is a digital anthropologist and digital communication strategist with experience of more than fifteen years in journalism, digital media, knowledge management, and community-driven development. Currently, she works as an Adviser for Artificial Intelligence of FAIR Forward, GIZ Indonesia. She advises the implementation of global project FAIR Forward - “Artificial Intelligence for All – FAIR Forward”, an initiative dedicated to the open and sustainable development and application of Artificial Intelligence and particularly supports partnering countries in Africa and Asia on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. She is a digital activist who supports safe access for women and vulnerable communities on the internet. Karlina holds a Master of Science in Digital Anthropology from University College London as a UK Government Chevening FCO scholar.
AI & LGBTQ+ rights researcher (Erasmus School of Law, The Netherlands) with a background in international and European Union law.