“They are not something to correct”

Written by Jason Miller

"They are not something to correct"

Original sin has ancient roots. On the one hand, the algorithm was trained to generate normalized bodies, to the other it was fed by images from the web, most impregnated with stereotyped beauty. A further demonstration of a society that hides disability. That of AI is only the last side effect.

“I saw this app, Remini, who became viral on social media. Generate several images starting from a photo of you, I loaded it and then I pressed on gene. The result was chilling “. To speak is Valentina Tomirottijournalist and activist of the disability world, “I have evident physical and motor disability, I am in a wheelchair” yet artificial intelligence he deleted everythingnormalizing his body. Remini promises “to transform your old photos, shell, blurred or damaged into high quality images only with a tap!”, Reads the description on the App Store. Yet it went far beyond.

“In the photos he generated has completely eliminated my disability And my physical conformation, “explained Tomirotti to Fanpage.it.“ Not only, I am not filiform and yet artificial intelligence has me very lean“. The Tomirotti case is a starting point to think about an artificial intelligence that crushes the bodies inside dangerous beauty standards. An artificial intelligence that is not only not inclusive but that Delete the disability. “He” adjusted “me, he eliminated every sign of what they are, as if my reality It was an anomaly to correct“.”

The risks of an artificial intelligence that discriminates

“I have no problems with my image,” said Tomirotti, “but the artificial intelligence that erases or normalizes disability is extremely dangerous”. It is two levels: staff and social. “Let’s imagine a person who does not like himself, who struggles to accept himself who perhaps has a dysphoria, therefore a distorted perception of himself, and sees that the IA creates a normalized version. Think if this person has a disability, what damage he can do … “.

Now Europe wants to move 200 billion euros for the IA: will they be enough to find an algorithm?

As Tomirotti explains the artificial intelligence that “fixes”, removes, Delete wheelchairsor normalizes the proportions of the limbs goes to feed possible disorders, but also simple fears. Fears pumped by a company that is not inclusive, and here we arrive at the second level. “The disability is not told, on the contrary I would say that it is hidden on a social level, and we do not need an I who wants to erase the wheelchairs”.

The original sin of the algorithm

Original sin has ancient roots. On the one hand The algorithm was trained To generate normalized bodies, often sexualized (especially those of women) to the other has been fed by images from the web, most impregnated with stereotyped beauty. A further demonstration of a society that hides disability. That of the AI ​​is alone the last side effect.

“It is the demonstration of a collective imagination that still struggles to accept diversity. An algorithm only reflects the prejudices of those who created it. And if today the Ai relegates disability to invisibility, what does this tell us about the world we are building? “, Tomirotti denounces on social networks. “I don’t need to be retouched to exist. My real image is not a mistake. Perhaps, more than changing the faces in the photos, We should change the gaze with which we see the world“.”

Jason Miller

I'm Jason Miller, and I've been passionate about technology and storytelling for over a decade. As a lead writer at Herald Editorials, I strive to bring clarity and creativity to complex tech topics. When I'm not writing, you'll find me exploring the latest gadgets or hiking in the great outdoors.