Diversity and Inclusion Activities Cochairs

Kalesha Bullard (Deep Mind London, UK)
Joydeep Biswas (University of Texas Austin, USA)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9

9:30AM-12:30PM

• Misidentification in AI: framing the face in-between machine-classified & self-perceived gender (Room 209ABC)
  The use of automatic face analysis is rapidly spreading in our society. This technology, like facial recognition, is primarily used for security and law enforcement purposes, but it is now becoming popular in other areas, like in recruitment, education and analysis of facial expression. However, facial recognition systems are consistently built on a gender binary construct and almost never take into account individuals who identify non-binary. As a consequence, these types of human-machine interfaces reinforce existing prejudices about these communities. By considering essential questions about the conditions under which digitalization creates knowledge and identities, our hypothesis is that in facial recognition systems non-binary databases are missing.In light of these issues, the goal of the activity is to provide a focused venue to discuss research challenges, concerns and solutions associated with building inclusive Facial Recognition systems, through a critical analysis on the relationships among gender,  identity and face recognition technologies. The aim is twofold: i) encourage an interdisciplinary discussion on non-binary identities and face recognition technologies, to foster the development of inclusive, diverse and trustworthy AI; ii) highlight the dichotomy between self-perceived gender vs machine-classified gender. https://sites.google.com/vu.nl/misidentification-in-ai/home
  Organizer: Elena Beretta (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), Cristina Voto (ERC FACETS, University of Turin) & Ayse Seda Yalcin-Muftugil (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

Full Day – 9:30 AM – 7PM

• Promoting Meaningful, Beneficial and Informed Participation of African Communities in the Development and Utilization of AI Solutions (Room 206)
  This workshop seeks to bring together stakeholders in the AI development space in Africa in order to discuss pertinent issues such as the potential of AI in addressing key societal, environmental and developmental issues in Africa; ethical, data protection and Intellectual Property; and the modalities of engaging African communities in the AI development process. https://sites.google.com/kabarak.ac.ke/diversity-and-inclusion/home
  Organizer: Moses Thiga and Pamela Kimeto

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10

10:00AM-12:00PM

• 2023 Mid-Career Diversity Tea and Cake—MIDCAR (Room 209ABC)
  Please join us for an invited talk with diversity expert Leslie Ashburn-Nardo who will share scientific facts and recommendations about diversity you need to know. The talk will be followed by discussion. This event is open to all. https://www.cs.drexel.edu/~rw37/midcar2023
  Organizer: Rosina O Weber (Drexel University) and Laura Hiatt (Naval Research Lab)

2:00PM-5:00PM

• Queer in AI Social Event (Room 209ABC)
  Queer in AI’s presence at AAAI 2023 aims to create a safe and inclusive casual networking and socializing space for LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies involved with AI. We aim to create a community space where attendees can connect with each other, bond over shared experiences, and learn from each individual’s unique insights into AI, queerness, and beyond!
  To bring the community together, speakers of diverse seniority will first reflect on the diversity and inclusion of the AI community, with a particular focus on journeys of and beyond undergraduate and junior graduate students. The speakers will then be followed and complemented by an informal discussion/networking session. https://www.queerinai.com/aaai-2023
  Organizer: Martin Mundt, Raj Korpan and Sarah Mathew

Full Day – 9:30 AM – 7PM

• Second International Workshop on Social Impact of AI for Africa (SIAIA-23) (Room 206)
  The lack of diversity and scarcity of data regarding artificial intelligence and its impact in developing countries, especially in Africa, has been receiving attention in recent years. The International Workshop on the Social Impact of AI for Africa (SIAIA-23) is a full-day event at AAAI-23 to provide an avenue for participants to engage in discussions regarding the social impact of AI in Africa. The event will bring together researchers, students, educators, and individuals or organizations working to advance AI in Africa. The participants will discuss efforts that have been made in research and development, education, or activities in AI to empower communities and create awareness about the future of Africa in the AI revolution. The workshop will engage participants in groundbreaking conversation and create new insights and directions that will provide guidance for future AI events for Africa. https://www.siai.co/
  Organizer: Yetunde Folajimi, Ergezer Memo and Salem Othman

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11

9:30AM-11:30AM

• Making Money While Doing Good! (Room 206)
  Technovation, a global education nonprofit, is leading a two-hour learning session discussing how industry and education practitioners as well as young people can work with under-resourced communities to use AI technology for social good in their apps while also generating revenue. Using the United Nations Sustainable Development goals as a Social Impact framework, this session will highlight exemplars of people using AI to tackle real world problems. In this session we will also hear from Technovation participants, a global tech nonprofit engaging young girls in STEM, on how they built an AI app to solve a community problem.https://technovation.org/news-events/aaai-2023/
  Organizer: Bryant Gomer and Tara Chklovski
  

Full Day – 9:30 AM – 7PM

• 4th AAAI Workshop on Artificial Intelligence – Diversity, Belonging, Equity, and Inclusion (AIDBEI) (Room 209ABC)
  Organizer: William Hsu

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12

12:30PM-2:00PM

• Women’s Mentoring Lunch (Room 204BC)
  This event’s mission is to empower early-career women and non-binary individuals in AI by providing them with the opportunity to learn from and connect with experienced female leaders in the field. Through this event, we aim to facilitate discussions on the challenges and opportunities faced by those pursuing a career in AI and create a space for attendees to network with their peers and establish long-lasting mentor-mentee relationships.https://aaai23.notion.site/AAAI23-Women-s-Mentoring-Session-3133fc47dc6641d897707f9b1c1a8921

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13

Full Day – 9:30 AM – 7PM

• Inclusive and Diverse K-12 AI Literacy – Stakeholder Workshop (Room 206)
  Organizer: Amy Eguchi and Christina Gardner-McCune

Additional Events

AAAI Onsite Childcare

Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Tuesday, February 7 – Tuesday, February 14

AAAI is pleased to announce that we have contracted with KiddieCorp to provide onsite childcare during the AAAI-23 conference. The program is designed for children ages 6 months through 12 years old and will be located at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Snacks and water will be provided; meals must be supplied by parents.

For complete details on the program and a registration form, visit: https://form.jotform.com/KiddieCorp/aaaikids

Space is limited, so early registration is recommended.

KiddieCorp is in its thirty-sixth year of providing high-quality children’s programs and youth services to conventions, trade shows and special events. Their goal is to provide your children with a comfortable, safe and happy experience. All KiddieCorp team members are carefully reviewed and screened to make sure they meet KiddieCorp’s high standard requirements for employment, and are selected according to their integrity, experience, education, and enthusiasm.