Technology is advancing at the speed of thought. We're seeing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) being used in automobiles, healthcare and medicine, marketing, agriculture and biometrics and many other industries. Some applications of these technologies are socially responsible and greatly improving everyday lives. However, other implementations result in exclusion or even tragedy.
Here are 5 of my favorite documentaries about user experiences with AI and ML.
1. The Social Dilemma
The documentary-drama, The Social Dilemma, exposes how social media companies use algorithms to manipulate human behavior. It reveals how the "vortex" we slip into as we keep scrolling, clicking, tapping, and checking our apps is cunningly designed. By tracking and measuring every action we take, they can use persuasive algorithmic design patterns such as spammy notifications, false scarcity messaging, and presenting confirmation-biased-content to effectively prime, poke and prod us. As you'll see in this film, digital addiction is a growing problem and keeps us constantly yearning for more and never satisfied.
2. Coded Bias
Directed by Shalini Kantayyamit, Coded Bias follows MIT researcher Joy Buolamwini’s journey after discovering racial and gender bias in facial recognition algorithms. Joy's investigates biased algorithms that do not accurately detect darker-skinned faces or misclassifies the faces of women. She proceeds to raise awareness, and push for legislation in the U.S. to govern against algorithmic biases. Joy is now the founder of Algorithmic Justice League (AJL), to petition researchers, policy makers, and industry practitioners to take action that mitigates the harms and biases of AI.
3. Do You Trust This Computer?
With commentary from experts, including Andrew Ng, Hiroshi Ishiguro, Elon Musk, Do You Trust This Computer discusses the evolution of AI. From super-human benefits to potential dangers and risks, the film explores past and current applications of AI to include AI-driven fake-news feeds, robot companions, drones, and robot-assisted surgeries. This one is a little doom and gloom, but it's definitely insightful and raises many valid concerns about the outcomes of negligent design and use of AI.
We can use AI to cure diseases, deal with climate change, lift everybody out of poverty... but, we can use exactly the same technology to create a brutal global dictatorship with unprecedented surveillance, inequality and suffering. - Max Tegmark
4. The Age of A.I.
Narrated by Robert Downey, Jr, The Age of A.I. showcases many amazing benefits of AI and machine learning. In contrast to fears invoked by the films that warn of AI negligence and misuse, this series gave me so much hope. This film showcased numerous stories about the benefits of AI in healthcare and medicine, where there is some truly groundbreaking research and innovations transforming people's lives for the better.
5. iHUMAN
iHuman is a documentary that is truly a political thriller. It focuses on ways in which AI technology has the potential to adversely impact our society. It discusses ways in which unethical and irresponsible AI engineering can compound existing systemic inequities and injustices due to lack of policies regarding data collection, surveillance and use of biometrics.
Final Thoughts
Artificial intelligence has the potential to improve the human experience or destroy it. Some applications of AI result in exclusion or even tragedy. Such is the case with algorithmic bias in face recognition and overconfidence in Tesla's driver-assistance feature. However, some applications are socially responsible and create life-enhancing technology such as brain-controlled robotic prosthetics.
To minimize negligent use of AI, it's important for businesses that engineer AI to do their due diligence. Organization must employ humanity-centered design processes, implement self-regulation measures such as third-party audits, have open conversations about unconscious biases than get in the way of inclusive design, invest in inclusive training datasets, and commit to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in hiring practices.
Diverse engineering teams better represent the diversity of the consumers their products serve. And, if decision-making power is collective vs top-down, diverse teams can be empowered to raise concerns about latent hazards, better equipped to engage communities that are often marginalized, and have greater potential to identify innovative solutions that are respectful of human diversity.
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