2024.Mar.21

REPORTS

Report on the 25th B’AI Book Club
Articles Exploring the Intersections of Performance, Culture, and Critical AI from a Multidisciplinary Perspective

On Dec 19, 2023, the 25th meeting of the B’AI Book Club took place. This book club is a book review session organized by project members of the B’AI Global Forum.

This book review session led by Prof. Karen Shimakawa focused on an article from the inaugural issue of Duke University Press’s online journal, Critical AI, titled “Thick Description for Critical AI.” The additional readings discussed in the book review session, including the Indigenous AI protocols and Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Kimmerer, were used to broaden the scope of the discussion around AI and technology, introducing alternative perspectives and methodologies that challenge the dominant paradigms in the field. They underscore the importance of integrating diverse worldviews and ethical considerations into technology development and critique.

The article, authored by the Schusters, begins by examining the transformation of market analysis under late capitalism. It emphasizes the need to rethink how economic analysis objects are traditionally considered, suggesting a shift away from a purely quantitative focus to a more nuanced, culturally aware approach in AI analysis. This perspective is crucial in understanding technology’s role in shaping identities and power structures.

One of the core concepts discussed was the application of “thick description” in AI studies. Originally articulated by Clifford Geertz and further developed by Gilbert Ryle, thick description emphasizes the importance of detailed, context-rich analysis in understanding social phenomena. This approach contrasts simple descriptions, like a twitch, with more nuanced interpretations, like a wink. The Schusters propose applying this to AI, which they term “anthropological AI.” This encompasses studying the cultures that produce and are shaped by AI technologies. They argue that this method can reveal the complexities and cultural impacts of AI, challenging its perception as an error-free, objective tool.

The Schusters use Sarah Taber’s critique of an Economist report on predicted global food shortages due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a case study to demonstrate their approach. Taber, a crop scientist and consultant, questioned the validity of the alarming statistics, which originated from Gro Intelligence, a company that had notably excluded China’s agricultural output from its calculations. Taber’s investigation, hindered by a $10,000 paywall, revealed the commercial motivations behind Gro Intelligence’s forecast, illustrating the blurred lines between humanitarian concern and profit-driven marketing.

Additionally, the article presents two case studies. The first describes a fintech networking event in Asunción in 2017, speculating on cultural dynamics and historical influences affecting participants’ engagement. The second case study involves a classroom exercise on Christopher Columbus’s diary, highlighting the potential of different markup strategies to uncover deeper meanings and perspectives in the context of colonial history.

The session also delved into the Indigenous AI protocols, advocating for technology development grounded in indigenous values and ethical considerations. These protocols challenge traditional market-centric approaches and emphasize long-term ethical implications and cultural sensitivities.

Overall, the book review session highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue and diverse perspectives in understanding and shaping technology. It emphasized the need to challenge existing frameworks and methodologies in AI and technology, underscoring the value of creating more ethical, inclusive, and responsive technological systems. The session concluded with an acknowledgment of the challenges and possibilities of integrating alternative logics and perspectives into technology development, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive, culturally sensitive approaches.