Foucault, Artificial Intelligence, and Women’s Rights: A Qualitative Analysis of Deepfake Technology and Its Impact (Poster 3)

• In Event: Artificial Intelligence, Gender, Race, Culture, and Environmental Justice in Education: An Intersectional Analysis of Bias, Equity, and Sustainability Globally

Abstract

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought both opportunities and challenges across various fields, offering conveniences like personalized learning while posing significant risks, including ethical dilemmas and the proliferation of exploitative practices. While AI holds immense potential, it can also exacerbate vulnerabilities, particularly for marginalized groups. In August 2024, South Korea witnessed a surge in AI-generated deep fake content targeting women, including teenagers, whose likenesses were manipulated into non-consensual nude images shared online for profit. This violation sparked widespread protests across universities, online platforms, and public spaces, as women sought to protect their rights and bodies.
This study employs qualitative methods to explore the intersection of AI, gender, and power dynamics, drawing on Michel Foucault’s theoretical framework. Using MAXQDA 24.4, over100 comments from October 2024 on Twitter and Weibo, a Chinese social media platform, were collected and analyzed. This research examines how AI technologies perpetuate gender-based exploitation and scrutinize the ways women resist and reclaim agency in the face of digital violations. By situating this issue within Foucault’s lens of power, surveillance, and resistance, the study sheds light on the profound implications of AI on women’s rights and digital autonomy.

Author

• Jialin Yan, University of Rochester