Meta, formerly known as Facebook, recently announced the creation of an AI advisory council comprised entirely of white men. This lack of diversity is not surprising, as women and people of color have long been ignored and excluded from the field of artificial intelligence, despite their qualifications and contributions. When asked about the lack of diversity on the advisory board, Meta did not respond.
It is important to note that this advisory board is separate from Meta’s board of directors and its Oversight Board, both of which have more diverse gender and racial representation. The AI advisory council, however, consists solely of businesspeople and entrepreneurs, lacking the expertise of ethicists or academics with deep research backgrounds. While these individuals may have experience in bringing products to market, AI is a unique and risky field with far-reaching consequences, particularly for marginalized groups.
Sarah Myers West, managing director at the AI Now Institute, emphasized the need to critically examine the institutions producing AI to ensure that the public’s needs are being served. She highlighted the fact that AI is prone to errors that disproportionately harm communities that have long faced discrimination. A higher standard should be set to address these issues.
One significant concern regarding AI is its impact on women. Sensity AI found that 96% of AI deepfake videos online in 2019 were nonconsensual and sexually explicit, primarily targeting women. Even powerful figures like Taylor Swift have fallen victim to deepfake videos. While platforms like X intervened in her case, lesser-known individuals may not receive the same protection. There have been reports of middle and high school students creating explicit deepfakes of their classmates, and the accessibility of this technology has only increased.
Meta has also faced criticism for allowing the advertisement of apps like Perky AI on Facebook and Instagram. These apps enable explicit image manipulation and have used images of underage celebrities. Meta’s Oversight Board has opened investigations into the company’s handling of sexually explicit, AI-generated content.
The lack of diversity in the development of AI products is concerning. Historically, women and people of color have been excluded from the research and innovation of world-changing technologies, leading to disastrous results. For example, women were excluded from clinical trials until the 1970s, resulting in a lack of understanding of how certain treatments and medications would impact them. Similarly, self-driving cars have a harder time detecting Black skin, potentially leading to higher collision rates. Algorithms trained on biased data perpetuate and amplify racial discrimination in various sectors.
The current development of AI reflects existing power structures related to class, race, gender, and Eurocentrism. Despite the potential for AI to exacerbate problems, rather than solve them, many leaders in the tech industry are focused on speed and disruption. McKinsey’s report suggests that AI could automate a significant number of jobs held by minority workers. This raises concerns about how an advisory board composed entirely of white men at a prominent tech company like Meta can adequately advise on products for a diverse population.
Building safe and inclusive AI requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses research and understanding on an intersectional societal level. Given the lack of diversity in Meta’s advisory board, it seems unlikely that they will be able to achieve this goal. However, this presents an opportunity for other startups to address these issues and fill the gaps left by larger companies.
In conclusion, the lack of diversity in Meta’s AI advisory council highlights the ongoing problem of exclusion in the field of artificial intelligence. It is crucial to involve women and people of color in the development of AI products to ensure that they serve the needs of all individuals. Failure to do so can result in harmful consequences for marginalized groups. It is time for leaders in the tech industry to recognize the importance of diversity and actively work towards creating inclusive and ethical AI technologies.
