Outing and Outsmarting Discriminating Algorithms

For most people, Artificial Intelligence means talking computers, or robots taking human jobs. Despite its projected image of progress, the real workings of AI aren’t widely understood. TV shows like Black Mirror are easy to dismiss—we think “that couldn’t really happen” when characters are denied housing or parking spots based on computer-calculated scores. But in terms of healthcare, education, and online job searches, we are already navigating a digital maze of automated decision-making algorithms. From smile-activated office entrances to video “personality assessments” to vocal grading of “trustworthiness”, we are facing a wave of techno-solutionism, a frightening automated future whereby robots are programmed to determine who wins and loses via “identifying historically and socially held norms, conventions, and stereotypes.” How can we evade computer categorization of humans according to outdated societal structures? Can we reveal or obscure aspects of ourselves and our interests to navigate the digital world differently?

Nakeema Stefflbauer (she/her) holds PhD and MA degrees from Harvard University, a BA from Brown University, and an executive MBA from the disruptive Quantic School of Business and Technology. Her focus on strategies for impact of AI or algorithmic decision-making technology adds to her experience leading commercial IT product development teams in eLearning, eCommerce, ERP and insurtech. Named one of Female One Zero’s “Changemakers: 10 Women Who Make A Difference”, her technology career began after a lengthy period of research in North Africa and the Middle East on social and economic aspects of migration, informal labor and black-market trade.

This lecture is part of the Coding Resistance lecture series:

September 24, 2021 | 3 pm CEST
Outing and Outsmarting Discriminating Algorithms
with Nakeema Stefflbauer

October 01, 2021 | 3 pm CEST
Back to the Future of the African Village
with Minna Salami

October 08, 2021 | 3 pm CEST
Gender and Technology Beyond W.E.I.R.D.
with Maryam Mustafa

October 15, 2021 | 3 pm CEST
Glimmering Opacities: From Queering The Map to QT.bot
with Lucas LaRochelle

October 22, 2021 | 3 pm CEST
Emancipation Through the Virtual
with Iyo Bisseck

October 30, 2021 | 4 pm CEST
Make Time to Take Time
with Morehshin Allahyari

November 05, 2021 | 3 pm CEST
Interdependence as a Political Technology
with Aimi Hamraie

November 12, 2021 | 3 pm CEST
Digital Colonialism and Palestinian Resistance
with Marwa Fatafta

November 19, 2021 | 6 pm CEST
Towards Justice, Equity and Accountability in AI
with Timnit Gebru