The way AI sees (queer) people undermines progress | Daniella Gati | TEDxUniversityofSalford

Gati, Daniella

Abstract

Is AI going to take over the world? Artificial Intelligence raises the old spectre of machine rebellion against humankind, but in this TED talk, Daniella Gáti, a researcher of the impact of AI on society, argues that this doomsday fear is not the real problem. Instead, worries about AI striving for world domination mask a larger problem that is already taking place—that AI is reshaping the way we imagine and understand the world, essentially remodeling our concept of humanity in its own image.

When people interact with AI chatbots and image generators, those algorithms use their wealth of existing data to answer our queries—to make statements about historical facts, or to represent people and places. AI, then, does not invent or create anything new, but simply extrapolates from the status quo and the past, and offers us a scrambled version of the same old images. This is where the problem lies: by continuously reasserting old ideas about what people are like and presenting them as new, AI prevents us from imaging new, better ways of life. This is especially a problem for marginalized communities, such as those of queer people and racial minorities, who struggle against received, oppressive understandings of their identities.

This talk examines how AI cements old, harmful stereotypes and how it shapes our understanding of what it means to be human. It also offers some ways to fight back, for a queerer, more equitable future with AI.

• Presentation Conference Type: Presentation / Talk
• Conference Name: TEDx University of Salford
• Start Date: Feb 8, 2025
• Acceptance Date: Feb 8, 2025
• Online Publication Date: May 8, 2025
• Publication Date: May 8, 2025
• Deposit Date: May 8, 2025
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: queer studies, artificial intelligence, knowledge, ideology
• Publisher URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oTta5t7bcI