IMAGES

IMAGES - Inclusive Machine learning system using Art and culture for tackling Gender and Ethnicity Stereotypes

The IMAGES project (Inclusive Machine learning system using Art and culture for tackling Gender and Physicalty Stereotypes) stands at the intersection of three fields of study: gender studies, artificial intelligence studies and arts and culture studies. The project has a twofold objective: to address the inclusiveness and accessibility of Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, in order to mitigate gender and ethnic biases, and to use databases of artworks, interrogated by machine learning systems, as a tool to promote sensitivity and awareness of gender equality and cultural diversity and social inclusion.

The project will promote inclusion and diversity (in terms of attitudes, behaviours and perceptions) in cultural institutions and in society at large, contributing through art and culture to reduce harmful stereotypes, fight systemic discrimination and encourage the values ​​and representations necessary for inclusive and equal societies [European Commission, 2020]. The project aims to address the diversity, inclusiveness and accessibility of ML and AI systems using art and culture as a means to promote gender equality, cultural diversity and social inclusion. Considering ML/AI systems from the perspective of gender studies and ethnicity studies, the project aims to investigate all three levels that constitute a truly inclusive ML/AI system: the data used for training, the practitioners working on the algorithms and the users of the applications or services being designed. Furthermore, considering the inseparability of these aspects, the project adopts a pluralistic, interdisciplinary and trans-sectoral approach, consisting of software development, capacity-building workshops, in-depth interviews, focus groups and qualitative content analysis.

ISTC Contact Person:  Angelo Oddi

Coordinator:  Paola Panarese, Sapienza Universiy of Rome

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