By Naomi Alexander Naidoo and Fanny Hidvégi (AI Collaborative)
As AI reshapes society, it is exacerbating inequalities. From algorithmic bias to economic exclusion, marginalised communities are disproportionately affected by its negative effects.
It will take a collective of different people, organisations, and movements to change this status quo, and hold those in power to account. Policy change based on evidence and research is key to this effort, and the groundbreaking AI Accountability Lab, housed at Trinity College Dublin, further evens the playing field.
AI Collaborative and Luminate are thrilled to have partnered, along with the MacArthur Foundation, to support Dr. Abeba Birhane to build this lab, which will serve as crucial infrastructure in the European AI landscape and beyond.
The Lab will approach AI with a strong social justice lens and power analysis, and play a crucial role in holding tech companies accountable, by:
- Centring the voices of those impacted – marginalised communities disproportionately affected by the negative effects of the deployment of AI.
- Taking a cross-continental approach and dual focus of both Europe and Africa. Despite a vibrant and growing ecosystem of civil society organisations and researchers across Africa working towards a better future for AI and technology, perspectives from Africa and the Global South are too often missing in technology conversations on the global stage. This Lab will help to redress this imbalance.
- Translating this research into evidence-based insights to inform policy in Europe and Africa, to influence global governance discussions. In this way, the Lab will equip policymakers, activists, and communities with tools to advocate for equitable AI.
As we shared at the launch of the lab in Dublin in December, Dr. Birhane has a remarkable ability to cut through the AI noise with hard facts and excellent analysis and genuinely shift perspectives, which is crucial in the current technology environment. Dr. Birhane’s inclusive approach is key to ensuring that everyone’s rights in society are protected in the development of AI technologies, and we’re so excited to be supporting her and her team on this journey. We can’t wait to see what she’ll be able to do with resources, a team, and an institution behind her.