What Does It Mean to be Black? Social and Identity Considerations for AI Literacy

• In Event: 20461 - Teaching and Learning Symposium Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table1: AI, Identity, and Ethics

Abstract

What does it mean to be Black? This question may be difficult to clearly articulate for many, yet generative AI provides an immediate response. Artificial Intelligence has many positive uses in the classroom. However, one of its potential disadvantages is how it responds to race. Artificial Intelligence programs are only able to work with what they are given. Race is often considered a risk factor in predictive analytics and can be treated as an indicator of success or failure. This AI classroom assignment takes aim at this shortcoming. Instead of having AI use race as a factor in how it predicts an outcome, I ask students to discuss race with AI directly. Students ask a generative AI program (Chat GPT) a series of questions related to course information on race and ethnicity. Then students compare their own racial or ethnic identity with what artificial intelligence defines as racial or ethnic identity. Understanding that on topics of racial or ethnic identity no correct answer exists, highlights the limits of artificial intelligence. In turn, discussing race with generative AI allows students to broaden how they view the concept of race, ethnicity, and identity. The pedagogical strategy of exposing the limits of AI to expand the boundaries of classroom learning objectives is useful for sparking creativity and critical thinking in students.

Author

• Edward Watson, California State University-Fullerton