World Council of Churches 81d ago

“AI systems are inherently racist because they draw on a racially contaminated database where racialized communities are experiencing prejudice and discrimination at the hands of enforcers of systems.” – Dr Masiiwa Gunda AI must not become an engine of systemic racism: Dr Masiiwa Gunda, the Racial Justice, Equity and Inclusion Program Executive at the World Council of Churches highlights his concern over the nature of the data on which AI systems are trained. These systems do not generate new knowledge; instead, they reproduce and scale existing historical information — much of which reflects centuries of racial prejudice, discrimination, and exclusion embedded in social structures, policies, and institutions. Unlike where human actors in unjust systems may, on occasion, respond to an appeal to conscience, automated systems offer no such possibility. Prejudice encoded as data will be applied as fact, leaving marginalised communities to face what Dr. Gunda described as "automated injustice…across all critical societal infrastructures." He calls for a two-pronged response. First, those with technical expertise must invest in building anti-racism filters into AI systems from the outset. Second, media and information practitioners must take greater responsibility for what information is propagated and how, recognising the enduring harm caused when injustice is normalised through media and information platforms. ------- The WCC is a worldwide fellowship of churches seeking unity in common witness and Christian service. For more information go to https://www.oikoumene.org​ Follow WCC on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldcouncilofchurches Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldcouncilofchurches Twitter: https://twitter.com/oikoumene​