Exploring the Impact of AI on Culture: Ewa Luger’s Insights on the Interplay between Technology and Society

TechCrunch is shining a spotlight on remarkable women in the AI field with a new series of interviews, and Ewa Luger is one of the first to be featured. Luger, co-director at the Institute of Design Informatics and co-director of the BRAID program, is making significant contributions to the AI revolution.

Her research focuses on social, ethical, and interactional issues in data-driven systems, particularly AI systems. Luger’s work explores design, power distribution, spheres of exclusion, and user consent in the AI landscape. She has a strong background, having worked at Microsoft, the Alan Turing Institute, and the University of Cambridge.

Luger is most proud of her ongoing work with the BRAID program, which aims to develop a responsible AI ecosystem in the U.K. The program, funded by the AHRC, connects arts and humanities knowledge to policy, regulation, industry, and the voluntary sector. Luger emphasizes the importance of including diverse voices in the AI field, especially from the arts and humanities.

In navigating the male-dominated tech industry, Luger emphasizes the need to set boundaries, push beyond comfort zones, and actively address structural and cultural challenges. She encourages women entering the AI field to go for opportunities that allow them to level up, even if they feel they are not the perfect fit.

Looking ahead, Luger highlights pressing issues in AI, such as environmental impact, regulatory challenges, and the democratization of AI. She stresses the importance of trust, veracity, and authenticity in AI systems, as well as the need for responsible design, governance, and user awareness.

To build AI responsibly, Luger advocates for diverse representation in design teams, ethical training for systems architects, stakeholder involvement in governance, and thorough stress-testing of systems. She also calls on investors to prioritize responsible AI by aligning values and incentives.

Overall, Luger’s insights shed light on the complexities and challenges of the AI landscape, while offering valuable advice for women and stakeholders seeking to navigate and shape the future of AI responsibly.