R&D WITH D&D
Although we interact with technology seemingly endlessly, we don’t often consider what kinds of biases technology both reflects back to humans, but also exacerbates by its very nature as dumb code. On this episode of R&D with D&D, Dave and Denise chat with Prof. Mar Hicks of the University of Virginia’s School of Data Science. Mar’s work focuses on, as they describe it, “the history of computing, labor, technology, and queer science and technology studies” and “how gender and sexuality bring hidden technological dynamics to light.” In this far-ranging discussion, we discuss the use of female voices by a variety of apps, ethical AI, how technology can eliminate certain jobs, and how we can influence technology to act in socially beneficial, or socially harmful, ways. We end our discussion, as always, with our (common law) trademarked speed round questions!
“What happens when automated systems come in, is that very often, the idea is not to displace workers entirely, but to displace workers who are either high paid, or unionized. And one of the tricks has always been, let’s bring in women and/or children to do that work, and now one of the tricks is, let’s bring in automated women to do that work.” — Mar Hicks
“In the past the man has been first; in the future the system must be first.” — The Principles of Scientific Management (1911)
Photo by Google DeepMind on Unsplash
