Can Queer Approaches Illuminate Ethical Dilemmas in AI-Mediated Governance, Policy Making, and Societal Decision Making?
The notion of "queer" has been used to challenge traditional gender roles and binaries, promoting fluidity in sexuality and identity.
Its application to artificial intelligence (AI) remains limited despite its potential benefits. This article explores how queer approaches can illuminate ethical dilemmas in AI-mediated governance, policy making, and societal decision-making.
Queer theory examines power structures and normative assumptions underlying social institutions. It is based on challenging dominant narratives of heteronormativity and cisgenderism. Applying queer perspectives to AI would highlight biases in decision-making processes and question whether they reflect society's interests accurately.
If algorithms rely on data that skews towards certain demographics or privileges cisgendered individuals, it could create unjust outcomes for others. By analyzing AI systems through a queer lens, one can identify and address these inequities.
A queer approach to AI might also shed light on privacy concerns related to AI-based decision-making. Privacy issues are particularly relevant when it comes to healthcare, where medical decisions may be influenced by personal data collected from patients who do not identify as straight or cisgendered. In addition, the use of AI in criminal justice raises questions about discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals due to their perceived threat to cultural norms.
Queer theories can help evaluate the impact of AI-driven policies on marginalized communities. Queer researchers have emphasized the importance of centering intersectionality when studying oppressive systems. Similarly, in AI-driven decision-making, we must consider how algorithms affect multiple identities simultaneously to avoid perpetuating existing power imbalances.
Incorporating queer approaches into AI governance can improve equity and inclusion by providing new insights into ethical dilemmas. It can ensure that all voices are heard equally and that decision-makers account for diverse perspectives.
This requires collaboration between experts across disciplines - including queer studies scholars, computer scientists, policy makers, and activists - to develop innovative solutions that promote justice and equality.
Can queer approaches illuminate ethical dilemmas in AI-mediated governance, policy-making, and societal decision-making?
Queer approaches have been applied to various fields such as education, art, literature, politics, social sciences, and technology. These approaches consider identities beyond heteronormative and cisgender binaries by challenging gender norms, sexuality stereotypes, and conventional expectations of behavior. The question whether queer approaches can shed light on ethical dilemmas in artificial intelligence (AI)-mediated governance, policy-making, and societal decision-making is worth exploring.