Human sexuality cannot be confined to males and females. This month, while we celebrate pride, we are offering tribute to those who were involved in the Stonewall Riots. We are getting ready to dust off our rainbow flags, douse ourselves in glitter and join in the fun. With parades, festivals and concerts going across the globe, there is always some way to get involved and learn some essential social history. More than celebrating pride month, this is the time of the year when people worldwide spread awareness about discrimination faced by the LGBTQ community.
Even in the 21st Century, the opinion about the people belonging to this community faces backlash in several forms. Governments worldwide legalizing gay marriage and working towards accepting more sexuality are indeed making the world a better place. It is a good action. And that is how the world should be. Everyone, no matter their race, gender, caste, class or color, should be allowed to live their life. However, in a world where the opinions of humans are multifaceted, what could be the situation of the AI models? Do the AI models developed by men automate the oppression of the LGBTQ community? If yes, how can we fight it? Let’s find out, shall we?
EU action against discrimination
Before going into details, shall we look at a recent development in the EU? According to a Reuters report, on April 16, a cross-party group of European lawmakers called on Friday for an EU ban on AI systems that detect and label people according to gender or sexuality, saying the technology was ripe for abuse and could fuel discrimination. The draft rules by the EU include rights safeguards and curbs on AI technology such as facial recognition tools but do not ban systems that detect gender, sexuality, race or disability, according to the lawmakers. One of the MEPs who signed the letter stated that there was no need for technologies to decide who is male and female, who is gay and who is not.
Automated oppression and misgendering
Automated gender recognition or AGR removes the opportunity to set-identify and instead infers gender from data collected. This technology uses information such as legal name, whether or not you wear makeup, or the shape of your jawline, cheekbones etc. This system fails to understand the understanding of gender and represents a form of erasure for people who are trans or non-binary. This erasure, systematically and technically reinforced, has real-world consequences. This system of AGR has already sparked controversy for enabling the exclusion of trans and gender non-conforming people. For instance, Giggle, the “girls only” social networking app, asks you to upload a photo while you register to ensure its girls-only policy. In addition, numerous studies and audits state that facial recognition-based AGR technology is inaccurate for many people.
In simple words, misspending hurts people. Many trans people already struggle with gender dysphoria, and AGR systems embedded in everyday life are likely to exacerbate emotional distress associated with an individual’s experience with their gender. It reinforces gender stereotypes. Imagine an AGR system that can control public toilets or other gendered spaces- justice will not be served.
How to safeguard LGBTQ rights?
Even though several issues need to be addressed at various levels, the good news is that we can take action. Some applications of AI must not be encouraged, such as AGR and AI-based detection of sexual orientation. Or there should be effective means to eradicate these issues by introducing diverse training data, increasing accuracy, or applying technical methods to reduce bias. AI models must be made more inclusive in terms of gender by understanding the limitations and needs of all genders. If models actively undermine years of work in the struggle for gender justice and LGBTQ rights, we need lawmakers to take bold actions to safeguard the rights of every individual.
There is yet another factor that needs to be considered. Man develops models. The thoughts and viewpoints of the individual will influence the model developed. Hence, to eradicate this tunnel view and be more inclusive, the representation of people from all genders is necessary for the field of AI. For this, everyone who needs it must be educated in AI and STEM and be provided with the required training.
Everyone involved in the development and deployment of systems does everything they can to ensure they protect and empower people. Or else, the AI-driven future will replicate cement and worsen injustice. Let the discrimination caused by man be erased using machines.
Source: indianext.co.in
