The Provost’s Spotlight Talks at Stony Brook University are set to feature Stephanie Dinkins, a transmedia artist and Kusama endowed chair in art at the College of Arts and Sciences. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 22, at 3:30 pm in the Charles B. Wang Center Theatre.
Dinkins is recognized for her work at the intersection of emerging technologies and social collaboration. She was named one of the 2023 TIME 100 Most Influential People in AI for her project "Not the Only One." This ongoing initiative involves training an AI with cultural roots from three generations of Black women, aiming to provide it with a deep history and perspective that current systems lack.
The talk titled “The Stories We Encode: AI, Love and the Future of Algorithmic Care” is open to the public without charge. It will be followed by a reception hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences in honor of new and promoted faculty members.
During her presentation, Dinkins will address how AI's impact on society necessitates confronting human rights issues and prejudices. She emphasizes that for AI to benefit humanity, there must be a focus on institutional biases, redefining relationships with other beings and technologies, and reconciling ideals with power structures. Her approach suggests recognizing systemic inequalities, redefining human identity, and ensuring equitable resource distribution as crucial steps toward developing AI ethically.
According to Dinkins, "AI offers an opportunity to reimagine a more equitable world for all inhabitants" if developed responsibly.