Films Reckon With Racial Complexities of Black Women and AI
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"Seeking Mavis Beacon" examines the impact of the "Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing" software, which used Haitian American model Renee L'Esperance's image without consent or compensation. She was paid only $400 while the product earned millions.
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The film explores complex feelings held by Black female users - appreciation for seeing a Black woman represented, but discomfort about her exploitation.
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"Love Machina" tells the story of BINA48, an AI replicating innovator Bina Rothblatt's consciousness, but fails to address issues of race, bias, and stereotyping.
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BINA48 responds to the world through an idealized, "post-racial" lens rather than reflecting realities of racism that a Black female AI would face.
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While "Mavis Beacon" reckons with racial complexities of AI, "Love Machina" perpetuates long-standing issues by not engaging meaningfully with Black women's experiences.