Gradient "AI Face" photo editing app slammed as "racist"

Occurred: September 2020

Photo editing app Gradient's "AI Face" feature sparked outrage, with users accusing it of fueling racist stereotyping. 

AI Face allows users to alter their ethnicity in images so that they can check how they would look if they were born on a different continent.

Reality TV personalities Scott Disick and Brody Jenner posted altered images of themselves on social media that were supposed to showcase how they would appear if they were from "Europe," "Asia," "India," and "Africa".

However, many users expressed strong disapproval of their posts, ccusing them od perpetuating racial stereotypes and oversimplifying complex issues of identity and heritage.

Disick and Jenner deleted their posts following the backlash.

System 🤖

Operator:
Developer: Gradient
Country: Global
Sector: Media/entertainment/sports/arts
Purpose: Change image/identity
Technology: Machine learning
Issue: Bias/discrimination; Ethics/values
Transparency: Governance