In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and big data, questions of fairness, inclusivity, and ethical responsibility are more urgent than ever. Our new series, Designing Technology for All, seeks to explore these themes. We will kick off this series through a collaboration with FemData, with whom we aim to unpack the hidden biases in data, interrogate the power dynamics behind AI systems and explore policies that shape the future of technology.
FemData
FemData is an initiative founded by PhD researchers Myrthe Blösser and Paulina von Stackelberg from the University of Amsterdam. With a strong intersectional approach, FemData examines how (gender) biases influence data collection, labelling, and interpretation, leading to skewed outcomes that perpetuate societal inequalities. Their mission is to foster discussions, bridge disciplines, and connect stakeholders to ensure that data science benefits all. By collaborating with Pakhuis de Zwijger, FemData brings their expertise to this series, providing a much-needed critical lens on technology.
Overview of the Programmes
The Designing Technology for All series consists of three programmes, each tackling different aspects of data bias, AI power structures, and future policymaking:
1. Decoding Data Bias
In this session, experts will explore how data bias influences AI models and decision-making processes. What is data bias, and how do different disciplines view and define it? How does it shape the systems we rely on and what impact does it have on our society?
Monday, 17 February, 20.00
2. Power, Data, and Algorithms
As AI systems become more pervasive, questions of accountability arise. Who controls the data and algorithms driving these systems? How do these power dynamics shape society, and in what ways do they perpetuate patterns of colonization and inequality? In this programme, we will delve into the forces behind AI and the societal structures they influence.
Monday, 17 March, 20.00
3. Shaping the Future of AI
What policies and initiatives can ensure that AI serves the common good? This final event in the series will explore ideas for shaping AI through policymaking and advocacy. From the EU’s regulatory approaches to local and grassroots initiatives, we will examine the tools and strategies that can guide AI’s impact on our society.
Monday, 14 April, 20.00
Join the programme
This series is an invitation to rethink the role of technology in society. Whether you attend in person at Pakhuis de Zwijger or join via livecast, Designing Technology for All provides a platform for critical discussions on how we can build a fairer, more inclusive digital future.
