European Schoolnet Podcast Episode 3 - The role of AI in Gender-Based Violence.

Summary

The European School Net podcast episode discusses the critical role of AI in addressing online gender-based violence. Postdoctoral researcher Sylvia Simine, an expert in tech-facilitated gender violence, highlights the risks of AI misuse, such as deep fakes and algorithmic bias, and their impact on women. She emphasizes the importance of ethical AI development, inclusive of marginalized communities, and stresses the need for societal and cultural change alongside legal measures to combat this digital violence.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The podcast episode discusses the role of AI in addressing and potentially facilitating gender-based violence online, highlighting the transformative potential and risks of AI, such as data privacy, ethical implications, and bias.
• 🔍 AI systems can be misused to create and distribute deep fakes and manipulated content, which often targets women, leading to significant psychological and social impacts.
• 🧐 The intersection of AI and gender-based violence is nuanced and ever-changing, with risks including online harassment, defamation campaigns, and the reinforcement of harmful gender stereotypes.
• 💻 The misuse of AI tools often stems from a desire to target and harm women, reflecting broader societal issues of misogyny and the need for more inclusive and ethical technology development.
• 📈 The growth of online misogyny and the accessibility of AI tools contribute to the rise in gender-based violence, with young people potentially using these tools out of curiosity or a lack of understanding of the harm they cause.
• 📚 The importance of sexual and digital education is emphasized to equip young people with the knowledge to navigate the digital world safely and understand the implications of technology on gender relations.
• 🌐 The campaign for the criminalization of non-consensual image sharing in Italy demonstrates the power of collective action and political engagement in driving legal and societal change.
• 🔑 The role of intersectional feminism in guiding technological development is highlighted, emphasizing the need for diverse and inclusive perspectives to prevent the perpetuation of harmful biases.
• 🔒 The discussion underscores the non-neutrality of data and algorithms, and the necessity of transparency and ethical considerations in AI development to avoid reinforcing societal biases.
• 🛡️ The need for a cultural and ethical shift alongside technological advancements is stressed, rather than relying solely on technical solutions to combat gender-based violence.
• 🌟 The episode concludes with a call to action for continued efforts in education, political will, and cultural change to create a safer digital environment and address gender-based violence effectively.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the European School Net podcast series episode featuring Sylvia Simine?

The episode focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence and gender-based violence online, discussing the role of AI in facilitating or addressing such violence.

What are some examples of how AI can be misused to facilitate gender-based violence online?

Examples include deep fake technology for creating manipulated explicit content, AI algorithms used for online harassment or doxing, and AI chatbots programmed with biases that reinforce gender stereotypes.

What percentage of deep fake content online is sexually explicit, and who is the majority of this content targeting?

96% of deep fake content online is sexually explicit, and 99% of this content targets women.

How can generative AI algorithms contribute to gender-based violence?

Generative AI algorithms can be used for defamation campaigns, automating online harassment, or escalating violence through the spread of hateful or threatening messages.

What is the potential issue with AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistance?

They can be programmed with biases that contribute to reinforcing harmful gender stereotypes.

What is the term used to describe the immersive reality experiences where online violence can be more vividly experienced, and what is an example of such violence?

The term is 'metaverse', and an example of violence in this context is 'Meta rape'.

What is the role of algorithmic bias in AI systems?

Algorithmic bias can unintentionally perpetuate and amplify societal biases present in the training data, leading to discriminatory outcomes.

What was the main finding from Sylvia Simine's research on non-consensual dissemination of intimate images on Telegram?

The research found that these channels were used by men to construct masculinity by using women's bodies as trade currencies, normalizing non-consensual sharing of intimate images.

How do AI systems reinforce gender stereotypes, according to Sylvia Simine's discussion on social media platforms?

AI systems on social media platforms can reinforce gender stereotypes through biased algorithms that decide what content is seen, often encoding discriminatory social norms into their operations.

What are some of the issues with AI systems in terms of data collection and privacy?

AI systems often scrape data from the internet non-consensually, use it to train models, and can lead to ethical discussions regarding the use of personal data without consent.

What is the importance of including marginalized communities in the development of AI technology?

Including marginalized communities ensures a more inclusive and diverse development of technology, leading to better results and innovations that avoid perpetuating existing biases and discrimination.

What was the outcome of Sylvia Simine's campaign against non-consensual image sharing in Italy?

The campaign led to the criminalization of non-consensual image sharing in Italy, although it did not initially include digital platforms as part of the responsibility.

What is the role of education in addressing the issues discussed in the podcast?

Education plays a crucial role in raising awareness about the risks and ethical implications of AI, promoting a better understanding of consent, privacy, and the impact of technology on society.

How can young people be empowered to navigate the digital world safely?

By providing them with digital and sexual education, fostering an understanding of technology's impact, and promoting critical thinking to avoid falling into traps set by AI systems or malicious online behaviors.