Join us for the WASP-HS Community Reference Meeting (CRM) Queering AI as we delve into a transdisciplinary dialogue focusing on queer perspectives on AI developments, implementations, and discourse. Queer theory offers valuable insights by shedding light on often overlooked perspectives, particularly those at the margins, and exposing the various power imbalances inherent in AI systems. Moreover, it presents an opportunity to critically examine and challenge the fundamental principles underlying contemporary epistemologies of datafication and automation. By engaging with queer theory, we can foster necessary discussions surrounding the potentials and limitations of data-driven technologies across diverse domains such as health, well-being, nature, culture, law, media, and communication.
We look forward to welcoming researchers and representatives from both private and public sectors to this online event taking place on October 2 over Zoom. Save the date in your calendar already now.
Please note that the whole event takes place online via Zoom and is held in English.
13.00 – 13.05 – Introduction
Christofer Edling, Professor of Sociology and WASP-HS Program Director
13.05 – 13.10 – Keynote Introduction
Matilda Tudor, Researcher at the Department of Informatics and Media, Uppsala University
Karin Danielsson, Associate Professor at Department of Informatics and Director of Humlab at Umeå University
13.10-13.50 – Keynote and Q&A
Keynote title: AI’s Anti-Queer Turn in the Philosophy of Knowledge
Keynote: Daniella Gati, Lecturer in Games & Interactive Media, University of Salford, Manchester, UK.
Keynote abstract: This keynote addresses the epistemology of AI, that is, the shift that AI is causing in how knowledge is understood and created. I discuss the underlying statistical notions of how AI constructs and transmits knowledge, and assess these notions from a queer theoretical point of view.
13.50-14.35 – Roundtable discussions
AI, Data, and Knowledge
Chair: Daniella Gati, Lecturer in Games & Interactive Media, University of Salford, Manchester, UK.
This roundtable invites participants to discuss the different roles of data and algorithm in how AI creates knowledge and shapes our worldview. We ask how queer perspectives, both theoretical and lived, can be used to push AI knowledge production in more equitable and just directions.
Power and Theory
Chair: Ericka Johnson, Professor of Gender Studies at Linköping University
Queer theory encourages us to think of identity as performative and power as constitutive, ideas which challenge a paradigm that imagines data as representative of a person as stable and separate from structural power dynamics. What would queer guardrails to allow for performative identities look like? How can we use reflections on power rather than identity to shape these guardrails.
LLMs, Gender, and Us
Chair: Hannah Devinney, Postoc at the Department of Thematic Studies at Linköping University
Large Language Models (LLMs) such as generative pretrained models (GPTs) have experienced a sharp rise in the past year, opening conversations about – among other concerns – bias, representation, stereotyping, and toxicity. LLMs are now being applied in a wide variety of context including chatbots, internet search, virtual assistants, predictive text, and wholesale text generation. How will these technologies impact the way we experience, talk about, and perform gender? What stereotypes do we risk (re)entrenching through the use of LLMs? Are there ways to leverage these tools to instead mitigate or counter patriarchy and cisnormativity? Who might benefit, and at whose expense? The purpose of this roundtable is to discuss and explore the ways gender, language, and power meet within the context of LLMs.
14.35-14.55 – Joint wrap up for discussions
Matilda Tudor PhD student at the Department of Informatics and Media, Uppsala University.
Karin Danielsson, Associate Professor at Department of Informatics and Director of Humlab at Umeå University
14.35 -14.55 – Closing remarks
Christofer Edling, Professor of Sociology and WASP-HS Program Director
Register to attend the event over Zoom. The Zoom-link will be sent out to all registered the day before the event.
WASP-HS Community Reference Meetings serves as meeting places for the WASP-HS researchers and representatives from private and public organisations. Each meeting has a specially selected theme with the aim of bringing business and research together to expand knowledge and strengthen collaboration. After each Community Reference Meeting a report is published on the WASP-HS website based on the discussions held, including suggestions for future steps on the topics. See previously published CRM reports.
