An Exploration of Ethics in AI and Its Impact on Black Children

Purpose & objective

Purpose:
The purpose of our panel is to address the pressing issue of how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the educational experiences of Black children. We aim to foster a deeper understanding of the ethical implications of AI in education and provide actionable insights to ensure that AI technologies are used in ways that promote equity, inclusion, and positive outcomes for Black students.

Objectives and Participant Outcomes:

Understanding Ethical Considerations: Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the ethical considerations related to AI in education, particularly concerning its impact on Black children. They will learn about the potential risks and benefits of AI and how ethical choices can shape these outcomes.

Recognizing Historical Context: Attendees will recognize the historical context of systemic discrimination and bias in education. They will understand how these historical factors continue to influence the experiences of Black students, especially in the context of AI.

Identifying Bias in AI: Participants will develop the ability to identify bias in AI, both in datasets and algorithmic decision-making. They will learn how biased AI systems can perpetuate disparities and discrimination in education.

Promoting Inclusive AI: Attendees will learn strategies for promoting inclusive and diverse AI development. They will understand the importance of representation in AI systems and how to advocate for diverse perspectives in AI technology.

Empowering Black Students: Participants will discover strategies for using AI to empower Black students in their educational journeys. They will learn about personalized learning, mentorship, and resources that can help bridge educational gaps.

Cultural Sensitivity: Attendees will develop cultural sensitivity in AI use. They will learn how AI can respect and celebrate the cultural identities of Black children and avoid erasure or misrepresentation.

Advocating for Representation: Participants will understand the psychological impact of AI-driven media and entertainment on Black children. They will learn how to advocate for positive representation and diverse narratives in AI-related content.

Digital Equity: Attendees will gain insights into the digital divide and its implications for Black students. They will learn about strategies to ensure that all Black children have equitable access to AI-driven educational resources.

Empowering Future AI Creators: Participants will leave with a commitment to empowering Black students to become creators, innovators, and leaders in the AI field. They will understand the importance of diverse voices in AI development and how to support Black students in pursuing AI-related careers.

By the end of our presentation, participants will have a clear understanding of the ethical challenges and opportunities presented by AI in education and will be equipped with practical skills and knowledge to advocate for ethical AI implementation, promote equity, and empower Black children in the digital age.

Outline

The panel will discuss the following topics through thoughtful questions and lively dialogue. Each topic will be discussed for around 5 minutes to ensure there is enough room for audience Q&A.

Historical Context: Black communities have historically faced systemic discrimination, from biased laws to unequal educational opportunities. In a world increasingly driven by data and algorithms, there is a genuine fear that AI systems, if not ethically designed, will perpetuate these long-standing disparities. Black children who grow up and are educated in such a world stand to be profoundly affected by these biases.

Bias in Data: AI is only as good as the data it is trained on. If datasets used to train AI models are skewed or lack representation, the resulting algorithms can propagate or exacerbate biases. For Black children, this could mean facial recognition technologies that fail to accurately recognize them or educational AI tools that do not cater to their specific needs or cultural backgrounds.

Bias in AI Development: AI is informed and built by people and reflects and learns from its users. AI development should include an oversampling of groups' who have been historically ignored, marginalized and oppressed in effort to properly represent their experiences and perspectives.

Access and Opportunities: AI stands to revolutionize education, with the potential for personalized learning experiences and vast digital resources. However, without careful ethical considerations, there is a risk that Black children, particularly those in under-resourced communities, could be left behind. The “digital divide” could further widen the gap between the privileged and the underprivileged.

Education and Learning Tools: Modern school districts, administrators and educators increasingly rely on AI-driven tools for personalized learning and assessment. If these tools do not account for diverse cultural backgrounds and learning styles, they run the risk of sidelining Black children, stifling their potential and undermining their confidence.

Mental Health and Wellbeing: AI-driven mental health apps and platforms should be equipped to understand the unique challenges faced by Black children, shaped by societal structures and history. A one-size-fits-all approach could overlook their specific needs.

Psychological Impact: Representation matters. As AI-driven media and entertainment become more prevalent, it is essential that Black children see themselves represented in positive, diverse and multifaceted roles. Ethical AI should ensure that technology paints an inclusive picture of the future, promoting self-worth and ambition among Black children.

Cultural Identity and Expression: AI tools related to voice, language translation and image recognition must recognize and value the rich tapestry of Black culture. Disregarding the diversity within Black communities can lead to the erasure of cultural identities.

Empowerment and Agency: AI works best for all when Black children are taught to be creators, innovators and decision-makers in the AI space. We need more Black voices in AI development to ensure tools and systems reflect diverse perspectives.

Towards the end of the panel, attendees will be able to ask panelists questions directly. We will allot 15 minutes for Q&A.

Supporting research

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/04/arts/design/black-artists-bias-ai.html

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/ai-is-coming-to-schools-and-if-were-not-careful-so-will-its-biases/

https://bridgingbarriers.utexas.edu/projects/how-african-american-and-latinx-youth-evaluate-their-experiences-digital-assistants

https://csteachers.org/blackgpt-five-reasons-that-black-students-should-learn-about-and-use-artificial-intelligence-models/

https://hechingerreport.org/ai-can-disrupt-racial-inequity-in-schools-or-make-it-much-worse/

https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/3531146.3533138