More women AI developers needed to fight online hate speech
Greater diversity among designers of AI tools for detecting unwanted online content is crucial. Artificial intelligence and machine learning models provide some solutions to recognize hate speech online. But only 12% of machine learning researchers and 22% of all AI developers are women. Long term investments are needed to change this, UNESCO says in report “How to combat hate speech and gendered disinformation online”.
“AI and machine learning models are providing some solutions to recognize hate speech and toxic speech characteristic of online gendered disinformation campaigns. There are, however, shortcomings inherent in pure AI based models.”
“Human review alongside the use of algorithmic tools to detect violent content targeting women and girls in all their diversity will be necessary to reverse gender biases and stereotypes and take into account cultural and linguistic contexts and nuances.”
“Greater diversity among designers of AI based tools for detecting unwanted content is crucial. However, we know that women represent only 12% of machine learning researchers and 22% of all AI professional developers which means that their perspectives are likely to be overlooked in the design of the new AI generative software and programmes.”
“Furthermore, finding solutions to the structural barriers of entry for women and ensuring diversity in digital tech companies or among content moderators may not be enough to reach the desired level of impact.”
The UNESCO report states that long term investments are required to change narratives and innovative ways to tackle harmful social norms.
“This begins by addressing the root causes of gendered disinformation and gender-based violence online, working with men and boys within the family, at school and within the digital spheres.”
“It also means shifting the burden from the shoulders of the victims and focusing on the perpetrators and their enablers. Holding them accountable, without impunity, is urgent”, UNCO says.
“Women working in professions involving a public online presence such as politicians, artists, journalists and defenders of human rights and gender equality are particularly targeted by coordinated campaigns of online gendered disinformation, harassment, hate speech or even death and rape threats.”
UNESCO data shows that 73% of the women journalists experienced online violence and one out of five have been attacked or abused offline in connection with online violence.
The organisation says publisher and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Maria Ressa, received daily death threats, rape threats, doxing, racist, sexists and misogynistic abuse in text, image and memes since 2016, with more than 90 hate messages an hour on Facebook, in response to an investigative series she produced exposing state-linked disinformation.
30% of the women journalists surveyed by UNESCO answered that they self-censor on social media and 20% withdrew from all online interaction due to harassment and threats.
“Pushing women and girls out of the digital public space affects the whole democratic system. This is a complex problem for which all stakeholders must collectively assume their share of responsibility to protect women and girls in the digital environment”, the UNESCO report says.
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