The University of Kansas on Wednesday will host filmmaker Shalini Kantayya, speaking on how human prejudice creates corrupt technology.
Kantayya’s 2020 documentary, “Coded Bias,” examines how human biases influence the process of developing emerging technologies, and how those technologies threaten people’s civil rights. Her 2022 “TikTok, Boom” looks at the popular app’s algorithmic, sociopolitical, economic and cultural influences and impact.
Her virtual talk is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 30 via Zoom. Registration is free and available at bit.ly/KantayyaKU.
“Technologies nearly always have indelible impacts on social norms and behaviors — from developing skills as writers to how we protect our privacy,” David Tamez, assistant research professor and research program director at KU’s Institute for Information Sciences, said in a KU news release. “Whether these impacts serve us well depends on being continuously aware and critical of how we relate to the technologies we use.”
The event is part of this year’s Common Cause initiative, the University Honors Program’s interdisciplinary symposium.
In partnership with the University Honors Program, this event will also extend the work of this year’s Common Cause initiative.
Mauricio Gómez Montoya, student experience designer for the program, said in the release that this year’s symposium is focused on human rights and technology, and “The chance for our students to continue those conversations with someone like Kantayya is invaluable.”
“Kantayya is a Sundance Fellow and a TED Fellow. She was also a finalist for the ABC/Disney Directing Program. A William D. Fulbright Scholar, she has lectured at Princeton, Yale and Stanford, among institutions,” according to the release. “She has received recognition from the Sundance Documentary Program, IFP Spotlight on Documentary, New York Women in Film and Television and the Jerome Hill Centennial.”
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