Nonprofit Black Girl Code and the Doux recently launched a new AI-based challenge created for Black girls and young women.
First announced earlier this month, the challenge, known as the “Black Beauty AI Challenge,” will have contestants use AI as a form of self-expression. Using the new technology, they will have to create 60-90 second videos that represent how they view beauty, style and culture. Programs used in the competition include Kaiber. ai, Luma Labs, Pika, CapCut, Canva and Runway ML.
Participants as young as 13 can sign up for the competition, as there are two tracks; alongside the Youth Track, which includes participants aged 13 to 17, there will be a Young Adult Track, which will include participants aged 18 to 25.
Cash prizes up to $1,500 will be included as part of the reward. Alongside a feature on Instagram and TikTok, the winner will be showcased at a pop-up gallery held on the next MLK Day.
“At Black Girls Code, we show girls and young women that technology is theirs to shape and to connect to their lived experiences because the future of AI is being written right now,” said the CEO of Black Girls Code, Cristina Mancini, per a statement. “This challenge is about nurturing confidence and sparking creativity to empower women to lead in this new tech era.”
Along with inspiring creativity amongst young Black girls, the competition is also dedicated to shaping the way AI views Black identity. Previous research has highlighted issues of racial bias in AI in the form of recognizing vernacular and generating images.
The Stanford University Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence program has emphasized the need for the Congressional Black Caucus’ help to regulate racial bias in AI.
Per their report, AI views race in “restrictive, oversimplified ways,” providing support for racial stereotypes and consistently mis-categorizing individuals. The system reportedly draws from “five specific racial types” used by the U.S. Census Bureau, which often has been affected by “political and ideological needs and interests.”
With this latest competition, Black Girls Code and The Doux are looking to address existing racial bias in AI by having Black creators help develop the way AI views race.
“If Black creators don’t guide what AI learns from us, we risk being overlooked—or worse, misrepresented by others,” says Maya Smith, CEO and Creative Director of The Doux. “The Black Beauty AI challenge is about taking control of that narrative by challenging these young women to run the code.”
