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The Generative Possibilities of Exploring Feminist Approaches to AI

  • by Candy Guinea

This past summer, the Feminist Research Institute facilitated a workshop titled, “What's New, What's Not: Feminist Approaches to AI.” The focus of the workshop was to understand that many current concerns related to AI are not actually new; feminist scholars, community organizers, and Indigenous people have been writing about and resisting these very issues, such as environmental degradation and labor exploitation, for decades, if not centuries. Our aim was for participants to leave feeling empowered to make informed decisions about how they can engage, disengage, and resist AI technologies during a time when many are made to feel powerless in the face of the inevitability of AI implementation. However, what resulted from the workshop was much more expansive than we had originally imagined.

During the workshop, participants, mainly university-level faculty, students, and staff, shared the myriad of issues and concerns they encounter due to AI: lack of institutional AI guidance, the inherent bias embedded in large language models, the widespread use of AI in university classrooms impeding the development of critical thinking skills, among many other systemic concerns. Because the workshop was designed to be interactive, many participants were able to share both their concerns and also brainstorm individual and collective interventions. Some participants suggested educators could create AI-resistant assignments that are art-based instead of standard essays and other participants questioned how they can demand accountability and AI guidance from their universities. Most of all, participants reported that they appreciated having a space to discuss their personal and professional concerns related to AI with others that had a critical understanding of these issues. They also shared that the framework provided during the workshop was a useful way to easily engage in a productive conversation about their concerns.

The result of the workshop was a collectively generated list of articles, books, scholars, and resources to continue to learn more about how to think critically about AI use and a commitment from the Feminist Research Institute to continue to cultivate spaces for these necessary conversations.

If you’re interested in learning more, here is a list of some of the articles and books that were suggested:

Articles:

Books:

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