Latest news with #AfricanAmericanVernacularEnglish
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Protecting the vulnerable, or automating harm? AI's double-edged role in spotting abuse
Artificial intelligence is rapidly being adopted to help prevent abuse and protect vulnerable people – including children in foster care, adults in nursing homes and students in schools. These tools promise to detect danger in real time and alert authorities before serious harm occurs. Developers are using natural language processing, for example — a form of AI that interprets written or spoken language – to try to detect patterns of threats, manipulation and control in text messages. This information could help detect domestic abuse and potentially assist courts or law enforcement in early intervention. Some child welfare agencies use predictive modeling, another common AI technique, to calculate which families or individuals are most 'at risk' for abuse. When thoughtfully implemented, AI tools have the potential to enhance safety and efficiency. For instance, predictive models have assisted social workers to prioritize high-risk cases and intervene earlier. But as a social worker with 15 years of experience researching family violence – and five years on the front lines as a foster-care case manager, child abuse investigator and early childhood coordinator – I've seen how well-intentioned systems often fail the very people they are meant to protect. Now, I am helping to develop iCare, an AI-powered surveillance camera that analyzes limb movements – not faces or voices – to detect physical violence. I'm grappling with a critical question: Can AI truly help safeguard vulnerable people, or is it just automating the same systems that have long caused them harm? Many AI tools are trained to 'learn' by analyzing historical data. But history is full of inequality, bias and flawed assumptions. So are people, who design, test and fund AI. That means AI algorithms can wind up replicating systemic forms of discrimination, like racism or classism. A 2022 study in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, found that a predictive risk model to score families' risk levels – scores given to hotline staff to help them screen calls – would have flagged Black children for investigation 20% more often than white children, if used without human oversight. When social workers were included in decision-making, that disparity dropped to 9%. Language-based AI can also reinforce bias. For instance, one study showed that natural language processing systems misclassified African American Vernacular English as 'aggressive' at a significantly higher rate than Standard American English — up to 62% more often, in certain contexts. Meanwhile, a 2023 study found that AI models often struggle with context clues, meaning sarcastic or joking messages can be misclassified as serious threats or signs of distress. These flaws can replicate larger problems in protective systems. People of color have long been over-surveilled in child welfare systems — sometimes due to cultural misunderstandings, sometimes due to prejudice. Studies have shown that Black and Indigenous families face disproportionately higher rates of reporting, investigation and family separation compared with white families, even after accounting for income and other socioeconomic factors. Many of these disparities stem from structural racism embedded in decades of discriminatory policy decisions, as well as implicit biases and discretionary decision-making by overburdened caseworkers. Even when AI systems do reduce harm toward vulnerable groups, they often do so at a disturbing cost. In hospitals and elder-care facilities, for example, AI-enabled cameras have been used to detect physical aggression between staff, visitors and residents. While commercial vendors promote these tools as safety innovations, their use raises serious ethical concerns about the balance between protection and privacy. In a 2022 pilot program in Australia, AI camera systems deployed in two care homes generated more than 12,000 false alerts over 12 months – overwhelming staff and missing at least one real incident. The program's accuracy did 'not achieve a level that would be considered acceptable to staff and management,' according to the independent report. Children are affected, too. In U.S. schools, AI surveillance like Gaggle, GoGuardian and Securly are marketed as tools to keep students safe. Such programs can be installed on students' devices to monitor online activity and flag anything concerning. But they've also been shown to flag harmless behaviors – like writing short stories with mild violence, or researching topics related to mental health. As an Associated Press investigation revealed, these systems have also outed LGBTQ+ students to parents or school administrators by monitoring searches or conversations about gender and sexuality. Other systems use classroom cameras and microphones to detect 'aggression.' But they frequently misidentify normal behavior like laughing, coughing or roughhousing — sometimes prompting intervention or discipline. These are not isolated technical glitches; they reflect deep flaws in how AI is trained and deployed. AI systems learn from past data that has been selected and labeled by humans — data that often reflects social inequalities and biases. As sociologist Virginia Eubanks wrote in 'Automating Inequality,' AI systems risk scaling up these long-standing harms. I believe AI can still be a force for good, but only if its developers prioritize the dignity of the people these tools are meant to protect. I've developed a framework of four key principles for what I call 'trauma-responsive AI.' Survivor control: People should have a say in how, when and if they're monitored. Providing users with greater control over their data can enhance trust in AI systems and increase their engagement with support services, such as creating personalized plans to stay safe or access help. Human oversight: Studies show that combining social workers' expertise with AI support improves fairness and reduces child maltreatment – as in Allegheny County, where caseworkers used algorithmic risk scores as one factor, alongside their professional judgment, to decide which child abuse reports to investigate. Bias auditing: Governments and developers are increasingly encouraged to test AI systems for racial and economic bias. Open-source tools like IBM's AI Fairness 360, Google's What-If Tool, and Fairlearn assist in detecting and reducing such biases in machine learning models. Privacy by design: Technology should be built to protect people's dignity. Open-source tools like Amnesia, Google's differential privacy library and Microsoft's SmartNoise help anonymize sensitive data by removing or obscuring identifiable information. Additionally, AI-powered techniques, such as facial blurring, can anonymize people's identities in video or photo data. Honoring these principles means building systems that respond with care, not punishment. Some promising models are already emerging. The Coalition Against Stalkerware and its partners advocate to include survivors in all stages of tech development – from needs assessments to user testing and ethical oversight. Legislation is important, too. On May 5, 2025, for example, Montana's governor signed a law restricting state and local government from using AI to make automated decisions about individuals without meaningful human oversight. It requires transparency about how AI is used in government systems and prohibits discriminatory profiling. As I tell my students, innovative interventions should disrupt cycles of harm, not perpetuate them. AI will never replace the human capacity for context and compassion. But with the right values at the center, it might help us deliver more of it. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Aislinn Conrad, University of Iowa Read more: Weaponized storytelling: How AI is helping researchers sniff out disinformation campaigns Is using AI tools innovation or exploitation? 3 ways to think about the ethics Healing from child sexual abuse is often difficult but not impossible Aislinn Conrad is developing iCare, an AI-powered, real-time violence detection system.
USA Today
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Justin Bieber is 'crashing out' according to fans. What does that mean?
Justin Bieber is 'crashing out' according to fans. What does that mean? Show Caption Hide Caption Justin Bieber's dancers recreate 'Children' nearly 10 years later Former children back up dancers recreate Justin Bieber routine they did for his song 'Children' during his Purpose World Tour. Justin Bieber has been making headlines — from cryptic Instagram posts on imposter syndrome in March, to a confrontation with paparazzi on Wednesday. The pop star, who is currently in Palm Springs, California, to attend Coachella 2025, was filmed on a coffee run with friends. He shielded his face from the cameras before being greeted with a 'good morning,' which prompted his response. 'No. Not good morning,' he said, approaching the photographers. 'Get out of here,' he continued. 'You just want money... You don't care about people.' The photographers didn't respond but continued filming until Bieber entered the store with his friends. While some headlines call the interaction a 'heated exchange' and Bieber's behavior 'unprovoked,' fans have come to his defense — even if the singer is, as they put it, 'crashing out.' 'He is well in his rights to speak like that towards the paparazzi, they invade his personal space and life way too much,' wrote one X user. 'His crash out is valid, these ppl have been following him since his teenage years and will prbably follow him til he gets old,' another user echoed. 'He ain't crashing out. He's being real, & all people do is use him,' a third user argued. Fans can only speculate what is going on with Bieber's behavior, and it's not a celebrity's responsibility to disclose private details. But for those confused, here's what "crashing out" is actually all about. What does 'crashing out' mean? You ran into your ex on the street with his new girlfriend. He looks happier than ever. You lost your job on a random Wednesday. You were already on the brink of a breakdown, and then you got hit with the most devastating news. It's enough to make you lose your mind — or rather, 'crash out.' When you feel almost overwhelmed, but you're not quite there yet, you might use the expression, 'The crash out is imminent.' So what does 'crashing out' look like? You're so mad or upset that you start a fight unprovoked, break no-contact with your ex, or engage in other self-destructive behaviors. This use of the expression was popularized among Gen Z in 2024, but slang like 'crash out,' such as 'it's giving,' 'tea' and 'period,' often derive from African American Vernacular English (AAVE), a dialect of English commonly spoken by Black Americans. 'Crash out' is likely no different, and some argue that it originates in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Urban Dictionary posts with this use of the expression date back to 2016, but several online sources, including The Independent and Know Your Meme, trace "crash out" back to Baton Rouge-based rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, who released the song, "Stepped On" in 2017, featuring the lyric, "Crash out if I'm nervous." We owe celebrities their privacy We've likely all experienced a "crash out," even if we don't label it as such. But most of us don't have our most stressful moments filmed for millions to judge. Bieber is not the first celebrity to ask for privacy. Gigi Hadid asked paparazzi, media and fan social media accounts not to share any photos of her and Zayn Malik's daughter. Chappell Roan snapped back at a photographer on the MTV red carpet and has continuously asked fans to respect her boundaries. When 'Good Morning America' host Michael Strahan's daughter Isabella was diagnosed with a brain tumor, fans on social media gossiped about his 'mysterious' absence. It's easy to ignore others' boundaries. "In the age of social media, the general public has become trained to share not only their most private moments, but to also expect others to do the same," psychologist Reneé Carr previously told USA TODAY. Whatever Bieber is going through, it's not our business to speculate. "Public figures need privacy to cope, heal, and develop a strategy to move forward just like everyone else," Amy Morin, psychotherapist, author of "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do" and the host of a podcast, previously told USA TODAY. "Working through issues privately can give them space to manage their emotions and strategize how to move forward without the distraction of outside opinions." Contributing: David Oliver
Korea Herald
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Kiss of Life's troubles with 'cultural insensitivity' nothing new in K-pop
Kiss of Life, a K-pop girl group managed by S2 Entertainment, has come under fire for a livestreamed birthday party for one of its members that many viewers found culturally and racially insensitive. The agency issued an official apology the following day and the group later shared a handwritten letter on social media addressing the criticisms. While K-pop agencies have increasingly made efforts to educate their artists on cultural sensitivities, historical context and even regional taboos, such controversies continue to resurface. Kiss of Life livestreamed Julie's birthday party themed around old-school hip-hop on April 2. The content quickly drew fire, as the bandmates appeared dressed in styles associated with Black rappers, mimicked African American Vernacular English and exaggerated gestures, which many of those watching deemed as racially insensitive. Following the backlash, the agency deleted the video and issued an apology, saying, 'We will take a more respectful and careful approach when incorporating cultural elements in the future.' However, the issue continued to grow — particularly among international fans, and the girl group posted another apology via its official social media. 'Our intention was to show how much we loved the genre of old-school hip-hop because it greatly influences our music. … We realize now that our content was culturally insensitive and take full responsibility for our actions and can only promise to do better,' the group wrote. A 33-year-old Black American entertainer based in Seoul pointed out that the biggest issue of Kiss of Life's case isn't necessarily the outfit, but rather the mannerism and acting the girl group exhibited. 'During the clip, they are seen adopting a 'blaccent' and imitating mannerisms they perceive to be stereotypical of Black American women," the entertainer said on condition of anonymity, Monday. "Throughout this, they're often giggling — as if mocking the way Black women interact. As a result, it feels like they see Black American culture as comical rather than inspirational.' Grace Kao, a sociology professor at Yale University, also criticized the video clip. 'Cultural appropriation has to do with members of the majority group taking cultural aspects from a minority group and using it in a disrespectful manner. I think this is a simple example of mocking or a parody of a stereotype. Not a good look for anyone," Kao said. "To many Americans, this would seem like mocking Black hip-hop artists. It does seem disrespectful.' In 2019, Twice was criticized for mosque-like imagery used as a backdrop during a televised performance. Although the concept was said to have been inspired by Disney's 'Aladdin,' the inclusion of Islamic motifs, such as a crescent moon, prompted backlash from Muslim fans who called it culturally insensitive. Mamamoo apoliogized in 2017 after using dark brown makeup to imitate Bruno Mars for a cover of "Uptown Funk," a year after its member Hwasa faced criticism for singing a version of Beyonce's "Irreplaceable" that included a racial slur. Another girl group, Oh My Girl, has also faced repeated criticism for cultural missteps. In 2016, one of its music videos featured a Native American tipi, leading to accusations of cultural appropriation and boycott threats from Indigenous communities in the US. 'K-pop has been going global since the early 2010s, and these controversies have occurred regularly since then — often at least once a year,' said music critic Lee Hee-yun on Monday. 'Given the history, most agencies have become more cautious, so for something like this to happen again points to a clear lack of attention.' An entertainment industry official agreed, calling the agency's oversight 'careless.' 'These days, artists receive detailed cultural training before going on tour — including gender issues, regional sensitivities and even specific gestures to avoid,' the official said. 'It's not just about touring anymore. Platforms like Weverse have increased direct communication between idols and global fans, so agencies have to be much more mindful,' the official added. 'This Kiss of Life incident is clearly a misstep by the company. There have been many similar cases before — Hwasa comes to mind. The group may have had good intentions, but race-related issues are something agencies now educate artists on very thoroughly.' jaaykim@
Korea Herald
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Kiss of Life's troubles with 'cultural insensitivity' nothing new in K-pop
Kiss of Life, a K-pop girl group managed by S2 Entertainment, has come under fire for a livestreamed birthday party for one of its members that many viewers found culturally and racially insensitive. The agency issued an official apology the following day and the group later shared a handwritten letter on social media addressing the criticisms. While K-pop agencies have increasingly made efforts to educate their artists on cultural sensitivities, historical context and even regional taboos, such controversies continue to resurface. Kiss of Life livestreamed Julie's birthday party themed around old-school hip-hop on April 2. The content quickly drew fire, as the bandmates appeared dressed in styles associated with Black rappers, mimicked African American Vernacular English and exaggerated gestures, which many of those watching deemed as racially insensitive. Following the backlash, the agency deleted the video and issued an apology, saying, 'We will take a more respectful and careful approach when incorporating cultural elements in the future.' However, the issue continued to grow — particularly among international fans, and the girl group posted another apology via its official social media. 'Our intention was to show how much we loved the genre of old-school hip-hop because it greatly influences our music. … We realize now that our content was culturally insensitive and take full responsibility for our actions and can only promise to do better,' the group wrote. A 33-year-old Black American entertainer based in Seoul pointed out that the biggest issue of Kiss of Life's case isn't necessarily the outfit, but rather the mannerism and acting the girl group exhibited. 'During the clip, they are seen adopting a 'blaccent' and imitating mannerisms they perceive to be stereotypical of Black American women," the entertainer said on condition of anonymity, Monday. "Throughout this, they're often giggling — as if mocking the way Black women interact. As a result, it feels like they see Black American culture as comical rather than inspirational.' Grace Kao, a sociology professor at Yale University, also criticized the video clip. 'Cultural appropriation has to do with members of the majority group taking cultural aspects from a minority group and using it in a disrespectful manner. I think this is a simple example of mocking or a parody of a stereotype. Not a good look for anyone," Kao said. "To many Americans, this would seem like mocking Black hip-hop artists. It does seem disrespectful.' In 2019, Twice was criticized for mosque-like imagery used as a backdrop during a televised performance. Although the concept was said to have been inspired by Disney's 'Aladdin,' the inclusion of Islamic motifs, such as a crescent moon, prompted backlash from Muslim fans who called it culturally insensitive. Mamamoo apoliogized in 2017 after using dark brown makeup to imitate Bruno Mars for a cover of "Uptown Funk," a year after its member Hwasa faced criticism for singing a version of Beyonce's "Irreplaceable" that included a racial slur. Another girl group, Oh My Girl, has also faced repeated criticism for cultural missteps. In 2016, one of its music videos featured a Native American tipi, leading to accusations of cultural appropriation and boycott threats from Indigenous communities in the US. 'K-pop has been going global since the early 2010s, and these controversies have occurred regularly since then — often at least once a year,' said music critic Lee Hee-yun on Monday. 'Given the history, most agencies have become more cautious, so for something like this to happen again points to a clear lack of attention.' An entertainment industry official agreed, calling the agency's oversight 'careless.' 'These days, artists receive detailed cultural training before going on tour — including gender issues, regional sensitivities and even specific gestures to avoid,' the official said. 'It's not just about touring anymore. Platforms like Weverse have increased direct communication between idols and global fans, so agencies have to be much more mindful,' the official added. 'This Kiss of Life incident is clearly a misstep by the company. There have been many similar cases before — Hwasa comes to mind. The group may have had good intentions, but race-related issues are something agencies now educate artists on very thoroughly.'
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A Black Patient Almost Got Their Foot Amputated Because Of Their Non-Black Doctor's SUPER Wrong Diagnosis
Going to the doctor can be a terrifying experience when you genuinely have no idea why a part of your body is aching, itchy, numb, or you just know something is off, but you can't explain it. But one doctor told a story on TikTok that perfectly explains why Black people — who are 20-30% more likely to get misdiagnosed by a medical professional than white men — have yet another layer of concern when they enter a doctor's office. Dr. Nichole Mgboji, known as @naturallynonny on TikTok, is a 28-year-old podiatry surgical resident from Maryland. And a repost of a video she shared about an experience with a patient recently went viral with 3.5 million views. "Do you know why it's important to have a Black doctor if you're Black?" she asked. TikTok: @joelbervell / Via "There was a patient I saw today. I got a consult [from a colleague]. He's like, 'Hey, we think this is frostbite.' I was like, 'Oh man.'" "Thinking that it was going to be 'dry gangrene.' And if you don't know what that is, that means your toes are basically going to fall off, and you need to put betadine and everything to make sure it stays dry until you can amputate it," she explained. "I said, 'Do they have, you know, what's going on?' Like – they're like, 'Oh, it looks necrotic, it looks blackened, it looks...'" Necrotic means dead or dying tissue. *long, disappointed pause* "I went to the patient, and the patient had hyperpigmentation. They [the colleague] told me it was necrotic. That patient had cap refill," she said. Cap refill pertains to blood circulation in your arms and legs. "Their toes were alive, they're just Black — ya," she concluded. In the comments of the video, an alarming number of doctors and patients shared similar experiences. "My doctor thought I had cancer because of my arm having hyperpigmentation, which was just the natural deodorant having a bad reaction to my armpits," this person shared. "I'm in peds psych, I've heard providers refer to AAVE (African American Vernacular English) as 'psychosis' 'disorganized speech,'" this person said. "had a doctor ask me, 'what are those scars on your stomach what happened???' he meant my stretch marks..." this person shared. Other people expressed how grateful they were for Dr. Mgboji. "If nobody told you in a while.. thank you and I'm proud of you," this person expressed. "Oh lord have mercy. Thank god you were there," this person said. And one commenter needed to know how doctors end up in this situation in the first place. "I have a question. As a black girl going into healthcare do you learn about it in the curriculum? I heard how things look on us isn't even taught," they said. In an interview with BuzzFeed, Dr. Mgboji addressed that question, acknowledging, "At my institution, I don't believe there was an overwhelming amount of literature or pictures about different melanated skin tones, but we were instructed to recognize that things will, in fact, look different on various complexions." She shared how Black people can advocate for themselves if they're ever in this predicament. "Understand medical terminology at least, and in some circumstances, get a second opinion." "The best way is having a trusted family member or friend in the medical field. The medical field is very complex, and it's good to have someone close to you who can explain things to you in a way that you understand," she said. What do you think? Did the patient's actual diagnosis surprise you? Let us know in the comments.
