The next influential mind in technology that we will be featuring is a globally recognized researcher, author, and leading voice in the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and society: Kate Crawford. Over two decades, Crawford has dedicated her work to understanding the ethical, political, and social implications of AI technologies.
In a survey conducted on “Ethics in the Age of AI,” 55% of respondents believe AI companies are not considering ethics when developing AI, and 83% believe the government should create clearer AI regulations. In a world increasingly driven by data and automation, Kate Crawford’s research serves as a necessary critique of the blind spots in AI development, pushing for more transparency, accountability, and ethical governance.
Kate Crawford’s Journey in AI Research
Crawford has over 20 years of experience in AI research and is currently a Research Professor at USC Annenberg and a Senior Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research NYC. In addition, she is an Honorary Professor at the University of Sydney as well as the inaugural Visiting Chair for AI and Justice at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris.
Crawford’s scholarly work has been published widely, in journals such as Nature, New Media & Society, Science, Technology & Human Values and Information, Communication & Society, and her ability to translate complex ideas into accessible discussions makes her a key figure in public discourse about AI ethics. In fact, she has advised policy makers in the United Nations, the Federal Trade Commission, the European Parliament, the Australian Human Rights Commission, and the White House.
“AI is neither artificial nor intelligent. [There is an] enormous environmental footprint – the minerals, the energy, the water – that drives AI. This is the opposite of artificiality. It’s profound materiality.”
AI and Human Bias
One of the central themes of Crawford’s research is the way that bias in AI systems often reflects and amplifies existing social inequalities. Her work highlights how AI systems, particularly those relying on machine learning, can develop inherent biases from the data they are trained on. If that data is skewed by historical, racial, or gender inequalities, the AI systems may carry on or even worsen these issues.
An example that Crawford has brought to light is using AI within criminal justice, mentioning how “flawed AI can lead to racist and discriminatory outcomes in sentencing, interactions with police, and life post-incarceration.”
“As someone who has been focusing on questions around human rights, equity, and AI for a long time, I still think it’s important that we drive research and ask those hard questions. Now it’s about all of us working together, because we’re in this, and we’re at an extraordinary inflection point, and I think the implications will be very far-reaching.”
AI’s Environmental Impact
Kate Crawford has shed light on the often overlooked environmental impact of artificial intelligence. In her book, Atlas of AI: Power, Politics, and the Planetary Costs of Artificial Intelligence, she talks about her journey through the mining sites, factories, and vast data collections needed to make AI function. Using her research and experiences, she shows how the AI infrastructures used by big tech companies are negatively impacting the environment as well as exploiting low-wage workers. Her findings have shown that these companies have increased their water consumption by 40% with the use of generative AI. Atlas of AI was named one of the best books on technology in 2021 by the Financial Times.
“Many people think of AI as being the stuff of science fiction. But actually…AI has a really far-reaching impact on human beings and on the planet. So, what I wanted to do was go and figure out what AI is ‘made of,’ in the fullest sense.”
Impact and Vision for the Future of AI
Kate Crawford is a huge advocate for a future in which AI is developed with ethical, social, and environmental considerations at its core. She co-founded the AI Now Institute at NYU, a place for studying the social implications of AI and for policy research in the tech industry. This shows true dedication to shaping the future of AI.
Her extensive work has inspired many to think deeply about the ramifications of the AI systems that increasingly shape our world. In an era where AI is rapidly advancing, Crawford’s voice is essential in guiding us towards more thoughtful, just, and sustainable technological progress.
Sources:
Sohbet uygulamaları.https://www.gevezeyeri.com/
Mobil sohbet uygulamaları ücretsiz.https://www.gevezeyeri.com/mobil-sohbet.html
Gabile sohbet uygulamaları ücretsiz.https://www.gevezeyeri.com/gabilesohbet.html
Cinsel sohbet uygulamaları ücretsiz.https://www.gevezeyeri.com/cinselsohbet.html
Gabile chat uygulaması ücretsiz.https://www.gevezeyeri.com/gabile-chat