Collin Bjork, a Senior Lecturer at Massey University and a specialist in generative AI, discusses the multifaceted implications of "extractive AI." He contrasts AI tools like Otter.ai with the community-centric approach of Te Hiku Media, emphasizing the importance of stewardship in technology. Collin also explores how rhetoric fosters togetherness rather than mere persuasion. Additionally, he shares insights on linguistic equity in AI and the exciting potential of indigenous perspectives in shaping technology.
The discussion contrasts extractive AI practices exemplified by Otter.ai with community-driven initiatives like Te Hiku Media, emphasizing the importance of stewardship over ownership.
Rhetoric is framed as a crucial tool to navigate and critique AI technologies, fostering community understanding amidst oversimplified narratives of AI hype.
The podcast highlights the ethical implications of AI, advocating for meaningful representation and diverse voices to shape technology's future and counteract biases.
Deep dives
The Significance of Data in Contemporary Society
The discussion highlights the increasing role of data in our daily lives and how technology, especially in the form of digital humans, is becoming more prevalent. Various forms of digital humans, including chatbots and deepfakes, raise critical questions about authenticity and representation. The project examines the societal implications of living in a data-driven world, encouraging a dialogue about how these technologies affect human interactions and identity. The conversations aim to create an archive of collective thoughts that can help navigate the complexities surrounding data and technology.
Extractive AI and its Implications on Language
The podcast delves into the concept of Extractive AI, particularly how it impacts language and voice, borrowing from the ideas presented in Kate Crawford's *Atlas of AI*. This examination illustrates how the technology often prioritizes efficiency, sidelining the unique nuances of individual voices and linguistic diversity. By using Otter AI as a case study, the discussion underscores the automation of transcription and the resulting loss of careful human engagement in the process. This framework encourages a reevaluation of how voice technology extracts rather than represents authentic human experiences.
The Problematic Nature of Inclusivity in AI
The conversation challenges the notion that merely including marginalized voices in AI training data suffices to rectify existing biases within the technology. It cautions that such inclusivity may inadvertently exacerbate harm to those very communities by embedding them into an extractive system. The speakers argue for a more profound understanding of voice and representation rather than surface-level adjustments. This critical perspective calls for a reevaluation of the ethics surrounding how AI systems are designed, trained, and utilized, emphasizing the importance of stewardship over ownership.
Indigenous Approaches to AI Development
In contrast to conventional AI tools like Otter AI, the podcast showcases an alternative approach taken by Tehiku Media, a Maori-owned organization developing speech recognition tools for the Maori language. This initiative emphasizes community engagement, where native speakers contribute their voices to create a tool that works for and benefits their culture. By prioritizing stewardship and collective ownership, this case illustrates a fundamentally different approach to AI development that contrasts sharply with dominant Silicon Valley paradigms. This example serves as a model for how language technology can be developed ethically, reframing extractive practices into inclusive, community-driven initiatives.
The Critical Role of Rhetoric in AI Discourse
Rhetoric plays a vital role in understanding and critiquing AI technologies, as emphasized throughout the discussions. It is posited that rhetoric can navigate the complexities of technological discourse and act as a tool for fostering community and understanding. The speakers highlight concerns about the oversimplified narratives that often accompany AI hype, calling for critical literacy in examining these technologies. Ultimately, the conversation advocates for a concerted effort to bridge rhetoric and technical expertise, ensuring that diverse voices can participate meaningfully in shaping the future of AI.
Collin Bjork and I discuss the double (triple?) meaning of "extractive AI". Collin explains Otter.ai -- an AI powered voice-to-text transcription software, and the capitalist logics that enable it -- vs. Maori-led Te Hiku Media, based on principles of stewardship, community and collaboration. Collin also explains how rhetoric is about togetherness more than persuasion. Recorded Feb 12, 2025. Released March 24, 2025.
