Excited to share a new paper on Decolonisation and AI. With the amazing @png_marie @wsisaac 🤩 we explore why Decolonial theory matters for our field, and tactics to decolonise and reshape our field into a Decolonial AI. Feedback please 🙏🏾 Thread 👇🏾
arxiv.org/abs/2007.04068
arxiv.org/abs/2007.04068
We see AI and ML having 2 sides: when seen as an Object our field is about technical methods and applications; as a Subject it is about systems, incentives and institutions. In both views, AI has been brought into question, especially on harms to vulnerable people. 🐾
These concerns centre around values and power in AI. Computer system embody values. And to build a deeper understanding of values and power is why we turn to the critical thoery and especially Decolonial theories. 🐾
Decolonial theories name the continuation of divisive hierarchies of power from the past and that live in the present. We talk about coloniality: coloniality is what survives colonialism. This coloniality shapes our understanding of the world, which we now work to #decolonize. 🐾
We explore the coloniality of modern AI, as object and subject in 5 sites: decision systems, ghost workers, beta-testing, national policies and AI governance, social development. Decolonial theories provide insights into the coloniality of these settings.🐾
Ultimately we are interested in the decolonisation of power. We submit three tactics for this: creating a critical technical practice of AI; enabling reciprocal engagements and reverse tutelage; supporting a renewed affective and political communities. 🐾
Any commitment to building the responsible and beneficial AI of the future ties us to the hierarchies, philosophy and technology inherited from the past, and
a renewed responsibility to the technology of the present; aligning us to the goal of beneficence and justice for all. 🐾
a renewed responsibility to the technology of the present; aligning us to the goal of beneficence and justice for all. 🐾
We are incredibly grateful to the multitude of scholars whose work has influenced us in so many ways - thank you to them all. We ave much still to learn, but reflexive practice and engagement is what we now work towards.
