University of Georgia: Racial stereotypes vary in digital interactions. “New research from the University of Georgia found that Black bots were considered more competent and more human than white or Asian bots used in the same study.” This is one of those I can’t summarize well with an excerpt; I encourage you to read it.
NewsWise: Cinema has helped ‘entrench’ gender inequality in AI. “Cinematic depictions of the scientists behind artificial intelligence over the last century are so heavily skewed towards men that a dangerous ‘cultural stereotype’ has been established – one that may contribute to the shortage of women now working in AI development.”
Maryland Today: How AI Could Help Writers Spot Stereotypes. “Studious Asians, sassy yet helpless women and greedy shopkeepers: These tired stereotypes of literature and film not only often offend the people they caricature, but can drag down what might otherwise have been a compelling narrative. Researchers at the University of Maryland’s Human-Computer Interaction Lab are working to combat these clichés with the creation of DramatVis Personae (DVP), a web-based visual analytics system powered by artificial intelligence that helps writers identify stereotypes they might be unwittingly giving fictional form among their cast of characters (or dramatis personae).”
Mashable: Virtual rapper FN Meka underscores how AI perpetuates racial stereotyping. “On Aug. 12, AI-powered rapper FN Meka signed a record deal with Capitol Records, becoming the first digital artist to sign with a major label. Eleven days later, the deal was terminated amidst calls that the character promoted ‘gross stereotypes’ of Black culture, as reported by the New York Times.” There are so many great rappers out there who don’t get enough recommendation. Why make a fake one?
Phys .org: New ideal housewife image being created by social media influencers and bloggers. “The new generation of successful female bloggers and influencers on social media are changing the identity of the stereotypical ‘ideal’ housewife. This is according to a new study by Magdalena Petersson McIntyre, a researcher at the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg.”
The Drum: How Dove, Getty Images and Girl Gaze united to create a commercial image bank featuring real women. “Dove recently partnered with Getty Images and Girl Gaze to create Project #ShowUs, the world’s first inclusive picture library of women in order to break beauty stereotypes. 900 global companies have gone on to use the resource, but launching it was not without its challenges.”
Global Citizen: This Brilliant Instagram Account Wants to Change How People See Africa. “Picture this: an Africa where schoolboys play on iPads, where girls jump off high diving boards at community pools, where people excitedly gather at poetry slam festivals. More often than not, these are not the scenes featured in Western media outlets. Now, thanks to Everyday Africa, a viral Instagram account turned international movement, stereotypical portrayals of the continent are being challenged with each post.”
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