DAIEC Drinks & Talk – Latisha Boor on AI, race, and social justice

Challenging AI bias: how collective imagination can break the white norm

In recent years, there has been growing attention to biases in Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems. Too often, these systems struggle to interact appropriately with diverse societies, particularly when it comes to Black individuals and their perspectives. While efforts have been made to address these biases, less focus has been placed on the deeper, underlying norms that constitute many of them.

In this session, Latisha Boor will delve into the concept of the ‘white norm’ embedded in discriminatory AI systems, which she explored during her master thesis. During her talk Latisha will explain what this norm represents and how it excludes Black individuals and their experiences, especially regarding their knowledge contributions. Reaching the talk's end, Latisha will propose a method of change to address this discriminatory norm that involves our collective imagination.

We're excited for you to join this session if you're curious about the intersection of AI, race, and social justice, and how we can use our imagination to challenge the discriminatory norms embedded in AI systems.

Why should you join?

• Learn how AI biases and white norms impact Black perspectives.
• Explore the intersection of AI, race, and social justice.
• Meet fellow AI ethics advocates.
• Engage in a discussion on using imagination for systemic change.

About speaker Latisha Boor

Latisha Boor pursued her Master’s in Philosophy of Data and Digital Society, focusing on the ethical implications of discriminatory AI systems. Before that, she completed her Bachelor's in Psychology and Technology at Eindhoven University of Technology, where her thesis centered on Human-Robot Interaction and the impact of gender stereotypes. Latisha has a range of interests, but is particularly interested in the intersections of social technology, decolonization, and ethics, which she had the chance to further explore during her Master’s. Outside of her academic work, Latisha developed a particular interest for joining book clubs and exploring the realms of productivity and wellbeing.

Support

We’re excited that data ethics consulting agency The Green Land is sponsoring the event's location! The Green Land is a data ethics consulting agency in Utrecht that works towards a society in which data and technology are used in an inclusive, open, responsible and equal manner. They encourage responsible data use by governments through topics such as data ethics, citizen science, open data and holistic data governance. In practice, this means that they organize creative workshops, provide advice and implement it. They do this for clients in the Netherlands (such as municipalities, independent governing bodies and ministries) and far beyond (the European Commission, OECD and foreign governments). Check them out: thegreenland.eu. They’ll also be present during this event, so feel free to get to know them there!

Practical details

Date: 9th of October, 2024
Time: Doors open18:30, programme 19:00-21:30
Location: Vondellaan 2, room Souterrain, 3521 GD Utrecht

Seats are limited!

Joining the event straight after work/uni or just hungry?

We will order some food and eat dinner together, join us! We will order Mexican food from Chidóz (at your own expense). To see their delivery menu, click here. Please select 'ticket with dinner order' at checkout and add the owed price to your ticket order. If you prefer to directly order and pay through us, you can also just email us at hello@dutchaiethics.co with your request. The food will arrive at 18.30, just when the walk in starts. You can also bring your own food and eat with us, of course!

There will be some snacks and (alcohol free) drinks. Alcoholic drinks will be limited, so please BYOB if you'd like to enjoy the talk while sipping a beer!

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