IGF 2021 WS #176
Incubating Feminist AI: A global snapshot

Speaker 1: Anita Gurumurthy, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 2: 'Gbenga Sesan, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 3: Paola Ricaurte , Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Moderator

Burcu Kilic, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Online Moderator

Renata Avila, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Rapporteur

Burcu Kilic, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Format

Round Table - U-shape - 60 Min

Policy Question(s)

Economic and social inclusion and sustainable development: What is the relationship between digital policy and development and the established international frameworks for social and economic inclusion set out in the Sustainable Development Goals and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and in treaties such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Conventions on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, on the Rights of the Child, and on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities? How do policy makers and other stakeholders effectively connect these global instruments and interpretations to national contexts?
Inclusion, rights and stakeholder roles and responsibilities: What are/should be the responsibilities of governments, businesses, the technical community, civil society, the academic and research sector and community-based actors with regard to digital inclusion and respect for human rights, and what is needed for them to fulfil these in an efficient and effective manner?

Systemic gender, racial and intersectional bias sit at the core of current Artificial Intelligence & Algorithmic Decision-Making processes born in the North, replicated in the South. Combatting and correcting this wired bias and discrimination is urgent in order that pro-social capabilities of AI & ADM can be activated.That is fundamental for social and economic inclusion and its discussion is urgent among the Internet Rights Community.

The Feminist AI approach (Algorithmic Decision-Making Systems (ADM) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) harnessed to deliver equality outcomes, designed with inclusion at the core, that create new opportunities & innovative correction of inequities) is proactive:
1. springboarding from ‘why’ and ‘what’ to research on ‘how’ new AI & ADM data, algorithms, models, networks, policies or systems could concretely and positively impact social problems, improve Quality of Life, and correct for historic exclusion;
2. prototyping most promising fr research hypotheses for proof of concept using design justice principles, widening boundary partnerships to include communities, academics, activists, technologists;
3. piloting the most effective prototypes with new public and private sector partnerships to actively innovate and correct for historic inequities.
Through this approach with the f
r network rooted in LAC, MENA, and SEAsia, (and strong liaison to AI4D Africa Gender Innovation Lab), we,
4. uniquely strengthen capacity of regional actors, build a field of inter-and intra-regional multi-disciplinary teams, deepen understanding of each region’s distinctive needs, leverage learnings on collective solutions, and nurture the roots of Feminist AI in the global south

SDGs

1. No Poverty
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure


Targets: Feminist AI‘s goal is ADM and AI that are harnessed to deliver equality outcomes; designed with inclusion at the core; that create new opportunities & provide proactive, innovative correction of inequities. That will advance all the aforementioned goals.

Description:

The focus of the event will be economic and social inclusion and human rights. The event will be focused on sharing the current state of feminist AI in Africa, Asia, Latin America & the Caribbean and the MENA region and how investing in research, policy and technology intervention could open an era of unprecedented gender inclusion using the tools of our time. It will share the early findings and plans of a series of initiatives around the globe, including the fr Feminist AI Research Network, Open for Good and Artificial Intelligence for Development in Africa AI4D, unveiling plans of targeted research, prototypes and pilots all over the World.

Expected Outcomes

- All regions informed of ongoing multistakeholder efforts to achieve gender equality and feminist AI.
- Launch a publication.
- Share early findings.

Slido for online.

Online Participation



Usage of IGF Official Tool. Additional Tools proposed: Slido, an interactive tool for questions.