Topic: Non-human humanitarianism: When 'AI for good' can be harmful

Speaker: Mirca Madianou, Professor at the Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies, Goldsmith's University (UK).

When: 26 April at 12.00-13.15

Where: Online (Zoom) - link by registration

Spoken language: English

Description

Mirca Madianou is Professor in the Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her current research focuses on the social consequences of communication technologies, data and automation in the global south especially in relation to migration and humanitarian emergencies. Her books include Mediating the Nation: news, audiences and the politics of identity and Migration and New Media: transnational families and polymedia. Her book Technocolonialism: when technology for good is harmful will be published by Polity in early 2024.  

At this lunch seminar, Mirca Madianou will present her work on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in humanitarian operations. Focusing on chatbots, which have been proposed as an efficient method to improve communication with, and accountability to affected communities in the wake of humanitarian disasters, Mirca will question the optimism surrounding these technologies through a decolonial critique of humanitarian AI which focuses on the power asymmetries underpinning both humanitarianism and the use of AI. Drawing on a mixed methods study that includes interviews with seven groups of stakeholders, Mirca reminds us that ‘AI for good’ can also be harmful - not least for the vulnerable populations that aid agencies claim to champion and serve. 

Registration

Participation is free of charge

Sign up at ai.lu.se to gain access to Zoom.