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Media Project: Coded Bias
One of the films that have great lessons to an economics class in 2020 is Coded Bias. This film has a detailed plot that has been centered on racist bots. Coded Bias is a documentary that shows how advanced machines using algorithms can influence existing social classes, races, and gender. A lab researcher Joy Buolamwini discovers that facial recognition technology does not recognize black faces well. The algorithm could not detect her face until she wore a white mask. She discovers that most programs have been coded and trained to identify data based on light-skinned males and females. The MIT Media Lab researcher discovers that this technology is automated, and it has created problems when it comes to hiring, giving health care, and handling criminal justice. The researcher has found the algorithm to help advocate for the more humane use of technology but instead creates a biased machine. The documentary shows Buolamwini’s mission to advocate for changes in the U.S. Legislation on racial bias algorithms. The main actor tries to protect people who have been biased by the machine.
I chose this film because it addresses an issue most economists fear talking about; racism. The imbalance caused by the underrepresentation of minorities has been affecting the economy for a long time. Algorithms are currently used in almost every aspect of human life. Machine algorithms are now used in advertising, policing, financial services, traveling, and social media. Economists have a duty to expose how discrimination affects people’s livelihood and economies. If today, economists could free people from bias, they could address many economic challenges. It’s much difficult for a black child in the United States to reach higher income brackets compared to white children. Racism has been hurting the economic wellbeing of African Americans and minority groups. Most people do not care about the economy’s inner working unless it affects their jobs, wealth, and income. Most white people do not care about racism in the criminal justice system, police brutality, or police bias because they believe that such issues do not affect them.
In Coded Bias, the society chooses to allocate resources to a particular group while ignoring the other. Coded Bias shows that such algorithms can lead to the racial wealth gap. Racism affects GDP, and GDP affects everyone. In the film, Buolamwini explains how social media companies and big corporations surveil people and gather information to influence their lives and opportunities. Coded Bias film mainly focuses on people’s vulnerabilities, powers, and failings. When a group of people is discriminated against based on their gender, race, and classes, the entire nation is affected.
This documentary is a reality of what minority groups and African Americans face every day. Society should increase diversity in all aspects of society, whether in admissions, job placement, promotions, and hiring. Just like Buolamwini fights for legislation to change and black people to be recognized by A.I. machines, there should be awareness of how racism affects the economy. Economists believe that societies, organizations, and inclusive companies are more prosperous and resilient.
Works cited
Kantayya, Shalini, director. Coded Bias. 7th Empire Media. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZl55PsfZJQ
Racism is hurting the economic wellbeing of the US and its workforce – including white workers. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://kinder.rice.edu/urbanedge/2020/08/03/racism-economics-hurting-american-gdp-and-prosperity-white-people