AI Agency through the Lens of Data Feminism
YUSHIEN, 2024
Abstract
In "A Cyborg Manifesto," Donna Haraway envisioned a post-gender world where the boundaries between human and machine blur, potentially liberating us from traditional gender constraints. Haraway optimistically proposed that cyborgs would transcend gender, opening a new era of fluid identities. (Haraway 1991)
However, the reality has diverged significantly from this utopian vision. As AI technology advances, we are not witnessing the de-gendering of AI humanoid robots or virtual assistants. Instead, gender biases are becoming increasingly pronounced in the digital world. This phenomenon reflects cultural and social norms that are being encoded into the technology itself. The design and deployment of AI technologies often mirror the biases of their creators and the societies in which they are developed.
This paper explores the complex interplay between AI agencies and gender, using the framework of data feminism to provide a critical lens on these issues. Data feminism emphasizes the importance of considering power dynamics in data science and technology, advocating for a more inclusive approach that recognizes and addresses inequalities. By applying this framework, the paper aims to uncover how AI technologies perpetuate gender biases and explore potential pathways for creating more equitable digital futures.
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