Indigenous knowledge informs ‘machine learning’ that could prevent stolen art and other culturally unsafe AI practices

Artificial intelligence (AI) relies on its creator for training, also known as “machine learning.” Machine learning is the process by which a machine generates its intelligence through external input.

But its behavior is determined by the information it is provided. And right now, AI is a field dominated by white men.

How can we ensure the development of AI does not further infringe on Indigenous rights and data sovereignty?

AI risks for indigenous art

AI has the ability to create art and anyone can “create” indigenous art with this machine. Even before AI, Aboriginal art was widely appropriated and copied without attribution or acknowledgment, especially for the tourism industry.

And this could get worse as humans can now create art through AI. This is a problem not only for indigenous people but many artists are affected by their artistic style being appropriated.

Indigenous art is steeped in history and connected to culture and Country. Indigenous art created by AI will lack this. There are also financial implications of bypassing Indigenous artists and going to tech manufacturers.

Including Indigenous people in creating AI or deciding what AI can learn can help reduce the exploitation of Indigenous artists and their artwork.

Read more: AI can reinforce discrimination – but if used right, it can make recruitment more inclusive

What is Indigenous data sovereignty?

In Australia there is a long history of data collection About Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. But very little data is collected because or with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Indigenous scholars Maggie Walter and Jacon Prehn write about this in the context of the growing Indigenous Data Sovereignty movement.

Indigenous data sovereignty concerns the rights of Indigenous peoples to own, control, access and own their own data and decide who makes that data available to whom. Globally, indigenous peoples are pushing for formal agreements on indigenous data sovereignty.

Many Indigenous people are concerned about how data related to our cultural knowledge and practices are being used. This has led some Indigenous lawyers to seek ways to integrate intellectual property rights with cultural rights.

Māori scholar Karaitiana Taiuru says:

If indigenous peoples do not have sovereignty over their own data, they will simply become re-colonized in this information society.

How Crowds Are Already Using AI

Indigenous people have collaborated on research based on Indigenous knowledge and related to AI.

At Kakadu Wetlands, rangers are using AI and Indigenous knowledge to care for Country.

A weed called paragrass is having a negative impact on starling geese, whose numbers are in decline. While Kakadu rangers are trying their best to control this problem, the sheer size of the area (2 million hectares) makes this difficult.

Collecting and analyzing information about goose flocks and the impact of paragrass using drones is having a positive impact on goose numbers.

Projects like these are important because global biodiversity loss is causing species extinction and ecosystem loss at alarming rates. As a result of this partnership, thousands of starling geese are returning to the Country to nest.

This project involves traditional land owners (collectively known as Bininj in the north of Kakadu National Park and Mungguy in the south) working with rangers and researchers to help protect the environment and biodiversity conservation.

By working with Traditional Owners, monitoring systems can be programmed with unrecorded, geographically specific knowledge that reflects Indigenous people’s connection to the land. This collaboration highlights the need to ensure Indigenous-led approaches.

In another example, in Sanikiluaq, an Inuit community in Nunavut, Canada, a project called PolArtic uses scientific data with indigenous knowledge to assess location and manage fisheries.

Changing climate patterns are affecting fish availability and this is another example of how indigenous knowledge is providing solutions to biodiversity problems caused by the climate crisis globally caused.

Indigital is an Indigenous-owned for-profit company founded by Dharug, Cabrogal innovator Mikaela Jade. Jade has worked with the traditional owners of Kakadu to use augmented reality to tell their story on the Country.

Indigital is also providing pathways for the crowd who want to learn more about digital technologies and incorporate them into their knowledge.

Read more: How should Australia leverage AI while minimizing risks? It’s time for you to speak up

Future challenges and opportunities for Indigenous inclusion

While AI is a powerful tool, it is limited by the data that informs it. The success of the above projects is due to AI informed by Indigenous knowledge, powered by Indigenous knowledge holders who have long-standing ancestral ties to the land, animals and the environment.

Research shows that AI is an industry dominated by white men. A global study found that 12% of professionals at all levels are female, with only 4% being people of color. Indigenous participation was not recorded.

In early June, the Australian government’s Safe and Responsible AI in Australia discussion paper found clear racial and gender bias in AI. The article found that racial bias has occurred in situations such as AI being used to predict criminal behavior.

The purpose of the study is to seek feedback on how to mitigate the potential risk of harm from AI. Advisory groups and consultation processes have been raised as possibilities to address this problem, but have not been explored in any real depth.

Indigenous knowledge has many benefits in developing new technologies including AI. Art is part of our culture, rituals and identity. AI-generated art risks mass reproduction without Indigenous participation or ownership as well as cultural distortion.

The federal government needs to consider Indigenous Knowledge to inform machine learning AI, supporting data sovereignty. There is an opportunity for Australia to become a global leader in the ethical pursuit of technological advancement.