Beep boop robots are coming for your Black Asses 🤖 Part 2: AI Boogaloo
Welcome to This Black-Ass Life! In our initial newsletter on AI, we wrote about the racism of AI, the data that fuels it, and its designers as a danger to us all. This week, we want to expand that discussion to an increasingly troubling trend: AI being used to see through the dream of Black culture without Black people.
I. The Facts
According to IBM, Artificial Intelligence (AI) “combines computer science and robust datasets to enable problem-solving. People (namely non-Black people) are using this technology to “create” music, models, and art featuring Black aesthetics or approximate Black culture, without the input or even presence of actual Black people.
Do y’all remember that Black model on Instagram who ended up being a fake AI-generated by a white man?
How about the AI rapper FN Meka who was so steeped in racist, violent stereotypes that the label dropped the robot? How you fire a robot? By unplugging it?
Also, the Black artist used to help shape his sound shared that “he was promised equity in the character but was eventually ghosted … It wasn’t until after he was cut off from the project that he learned of certain creative choices that have since been critiqued – he also hadn’t realized FN Meka had been signed to a record deal.”
Because of AI, we have to decipher if the art we are consuming is made by, for, or with Black people. We are entering a period where we are being sold on Black art being created without Black humans. We’re also experiencing this in music streaming, with the weird surge of remixes where Drake raps “Munch” or Rihanna sings “Cuff It.” People are even making original music with deep fakes of Black artists’ voices and are trying to get us hyped about it.
As if racist rappers and tacky remixes aren’t enough, companies are now using AI to stop hiring “diverse” candidates. For example, Levi’s actually thought we would celebrate their recent announcement that they were testing AI-generated clothing models to “increase diversity.” Y’all could literally just hire Black and Brown models.
Why does it matter?
It’s worth noting that the promise of AI is staggering. It touches everything from helping delivery companies optimize the use of traffic data to improve fuel efficiency and helping doctors use more advanced diagnostic imaging technology to helping us edit our emails and even fight fires.
HOWEVER, people are copying Black artists’ work and generating fake images of Black people without needing Black people in the room. They’re also building a skinnier, lighter, eurocentric ideal future. That shit is bleak and dystopian, and we should collectively be at least slightly freaked out.
Given the history of AI’s development is rooted in racism, given AI systems are racist, given its most visible creators are male, white, and very privileged, we need to be on guard.
What can my Black ass do?
Keep your third eye open.
We know that the allure of tools like AI chatbots like ChatGPT is strong. I (Jumoke) have loved experimenting with it, but please understand that you are actively taking part in feeding the beast.
II. Other Things
Black-ass happenings
Yay BG! According to people who know (me, Jumoke), Brittney Griner is playing some good basketball earning a double-double in her home-court return with the Phoenix Mercury.
Are y’all watching Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard? Lots of Black excellence discussions.
On redlining, climate change, and “heat islands” that are killing Black people.
We have fantastic news for the FAMILY: Famed African American actor Vin Diesel has shared Fast X is only part one of a three-part ending for the franchise.
Our Black-Ass song(s) of the week (Jumoke):
So much good music. Very rude of y’all not to tell me about Kompa, but I’m here and ready for a good time. Also, tiny Black women who yell a lot are my favorite genre of people, so Lola Brooke is IT. Also, Boy Bye is the talking stage ode we need and deserve.
Things we look forward to:
I (Mitu) look forward to Gabrielle Union and The Perfect Find.
I (Jumoke) look forward to Mitu not always copying my look forward to!
lll. Instructions from a Black-Ass Parent
This baby left clear guidance and pays well!
Stay Black, have a snack, and take a nap today. We'll hit your inbox next on June 6!