U.S- Based Scholar Ayodabo Calls for Need to Address Gender Bias in AI for Digital Future

An articulate researcher, and a fellow of the American Council of Learned Society ( ACLS) Dr. Sunday Joseph Ayodabo has spoken on the complexities of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and gender within the framework of surveillance capitalism.

Dr Ayodabo who currently based in the United States, stressed further that AI virtual entities, endowed with female names and voices, subtly compel users’ interactions, potentially perpetuating stereotypically feminine attributes while encouraging users to share their most intimate data. 

The Researcher said the shift towards Artificial Intelligence and gender within the framework of surveillance capitalism was motivated by a realization that following COVID-19, which has resulted in an increase in digitization and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across all spheres of life, presenting both opportunities and challenges.

His words "Gender biases in AI also manifest either during the algorithm’s development, the training of datasets, or via AI-generated decision making. The pressing nature of bias in AI and its disproportionate effect on women as well as on data accumulation, compelled me to concentrate my research efforts on this realm. I believe in the need for stronger normative frameworks, advocate for better auditing frameworks for algorithms, and underscore the need for the adoption of critical approaches that can reimagine technologies and eliminate gendered divisions and biases.

 "While it offered enormous opportunities, many AI programmed communicative devices in the US, especially Virtual Personal Assistants, tend to exhibit gender bias within AI algorithm that reinforce gender stereotypes, and potentially perpetuate gender inequities and discrimination against women".

"For instance, Alexa, Siri, and Cortana are examples of AI virtual assistants that adopt feminine attributes, voices, names, and behaviors that reinforce historical gender biases and roles".

"The consequence of this seemingly innocuous relationship extends far beyond convenience – it plays a central role in the mechanisms of surveillance capitalism. This suggest that these AI objects routinely traffic in normative gender roles of the feminine as caretaker, mother, and wife to obfuscate modes of surveillance, and mediate the relationship users and potential users have with late-capitalist market logics in the platform economy.

 

 

Speaking on how living in the US motivated his interest in Gender bias in AI and Surveillance Capitalisms, he answered" Living and studying in a highly digitalised society, where technology permeates every aspect of life, has heightened my awareness of the pervasive nature of AI and its implications for privacy, security, and social interactions.

"The US, being at the forefront of technological innovation and home to major tech corporations, provides a unique vantage point from which to observe and analyze the rapid advancements in AI and their integration into daily life".

"This exposure has been instrumental in shaping my understanding of the complexities surrounding surveillance capitalism—a term coined to describe the monetization of personal data through surveillance by capitalist entities".

My firsthand observations of how digital technologies are being gendered to gather, analyze, and exploit user data in the US context have underscored the critical need for examining the intersections of AI, privacy, and gender. It has become increasingly clear that these technologies, while offering remarkable conveniences and efficiencies, also harbor the potential for deepening societal inequities, particularly through the reinforcement of gender stereotypes and biases.

"This realization has propelled my research interest towards exploring the ethical dimensions of AI and surveillance capitalism, with a focus on advocating for equitable and responsible technology practices".

This observation sparked a critical inquiry into the ethical use of AI, urging a reevaluation of surveillance practices within the broader framework of surveillance capitalism. Such experiences in the US have been pivotal in shaping my research trajectory towards advocating for more equitable and transparent AI technologies.

The US-based researcher who hailed from Africa , planned to consider collaborative research with US scholars as an integral strategy for addressing the issue of gender bias within AI algorithm and its impact on gender inequities and as well as on data accumulation.

 

"The multifaceted nature of my research topics necessitates interdisciplinary approaches, where insights from computer science, computer engineering, Feminist science, and technology studies (feminist STS), technology studies, ethics, gender studies, and policy analysis converge to provide holistic understandings and solutions".

While speaking on the project his currently working on , the scholar said his working with other scholars at UT Dallas to create ethical guidelines and best practices for the design and deployment of AI systems, emphasizing the protection of marginalized and vulnerable groups.

 "Specifically, we are working on Cortana, an artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant developed by Microsoft. Named after a character in the “Halo” video game series, Cortana was designed to assist users in performing a wide range of tasks through voice commands, typing, or pen input. However, like other AI virtual assistants, Cortana has faced scrutiny regarding issues of privacy, data collection, and the potential reinforcement of gender stereotypes, given its default female voice and persona".

"These aspects highlight the importance of ethical considerations in the development and deployment of AI technologies, making Cortana a pertinent example of a system that could benefit from interventions aimed at ensuring fairness, privacy protection, and the mitigation of bias".

He noted that such partnerships can foster innovative methodologies by integrating diverse theoretical frameworks and research techniques, thereby strengthening the overall research design and findings.

As a research scholar in the U.S. and ACLS Fellow, with African roots, he noted that the project holds profound relevance and potential impact in Africa, being at a crucial juncture, experiencing rapid digital transformation that promises to redefine socio-economic landscapes, enhance access to education, and improve public health outcomes.

" my work not only bridges continents and cultures but also seeks to influence the trajectory of digital evolution in Africa towards a more inclusive and equitable future.

"The intersection and divergence of AI systems and government policies between the United States and African contexts highlight both opportunities and challenges in the global digital landscape. In the United States, AI systems are extensively integrated into various sectors, supported by relatively well-established regulatory frameworks that aim to balance innovation with ethical considerations, privacy, and data protection. U.S. policies increasingly focus on ethical AI development, addressing issues of bias, transparency, and accountability within AI systems"

"In contrast, many African countries are at a different stage in their digital and technological development journey. While there is a burgeoning interest in leveraging AI and technical systems to drive socio-economic development, challenges such as limited technological infrastructure, lower levels of digital literacy, and nascent regulatory frameworks pose significant barriers".

 A recent instance highlighting the challenges African governments face in policy formulation is Nigeria's ban on Twitter, aimed at curbing youth activism. This situation underscores the complexities of technology adoption and innovation in African as well as the lack of protection of citizens' rights and the promotion of equitable access to technology.

However, this difference in stages of technology policy and system development offers African countries the unique advantage of learning from the successes and pitfalls of more advanced economies like the U.S. It presents an opportunity for African nations to develop tailored governance models that are aligned with their socio-cultural contexts and development goals. He stated.

Dr Ayodabo research contributions include published works, span an array of interdisciplinary fields such as masculinities, gender studies, and literary studies.