Former solid members of Protecting Up with the Kardashians have been slated for selling an app that makes use of AI to change profile pictures in order that they seem like totally different races.
Brody Jenner and Scott Disick — in addition to influencer Danielle Cohn — lately posted profile pictures that had been fed by the Gradient’s “AI Face” function.
Disick’s preliminary tweet confirmed his face modified to seem that he’s from Europe, Asia, and India.“Tried new filters in the Gradient app,” he wrote. “Which one is better?”
A raft of critics on social media accused them of dehumanizing Black people and stereotyping complete continents, whereas others puzzled whether or not the app’s builders know that India is in Asia.
The <3 of EU tech
The most recent rumblings from the EU tech scene, a narrative from our smart ol’ founder Boris, and a few questionable AI artwork. It is free, each week, in your inbox. Enroll now!
[Read: Are EVs too expensive? Here are 5 common myths, debunked]
Disick and Jenner have now deleted their original tweets and changed them with new posts hashtagged #advert however with feedback turned off, whereas Cohn has stored her video on TikTok.
Tried new filters within the Gradient app. #ad pic.twitter.com/d4dVAMjiWa
— Scott Disick (@ScottDisick) September 24, 2020
The duo aren’t the primary members of the Kardashian-Jenner clan to advertise apps accused of propagating racism.facial recognition
In 2016, Kylie Jenner used Snapchat’s “Bob Marley” filter to make her seem like a Black man with dreadlocks, whereas in April, Kim and Khloe Kardashian advertised Gradient’s “Ethnicity Estimate.” The function’s been criticized for equating nationality with ethnicity and utilizing flags of nations to signify complete continents or religions. Within the case of the Caribbean, the area will get a Jolly Roger flag.
The @gradient_app has me fuming
Equating ethnicity with nationality? The flag of South Africa for the continent? The flag of Israel for Jews? The Jolly Roger for Caribbean? Utilizing facial options to “ESTIMATE” ancestry?
THIS IS A NAZI PHRENOLOGY APP! pic.twitter.com/dnl5dLBjuB
— Nick Azpiroz (@nickazpiroz) April 19, 2020
Gradient isn’t the primary AI-powered app accused of selling digital blackface. FaceApp beforehand had an identical function, however correctly ditched the filter hours after its launch.
Hopefully, Gradient does the identical and sticks to its extra innocent options similar to discovering superstar lookalikes and turning pictures into Fifteenth-century pictures. However customers needs to be suggested that the app has additionally sparked earlier issues.
So that you’re all in favour of AI? Then be a part of our on-line occasion, TNW2020, the place you’ll hear how synthetic intelligence is reworking industries and companies.
“Well bless their hearts.”
