Biometric Mirror: Probing the Ethics of AI and Facial Analysis
Niels Wouters, Ph.D. About
innovating at the intersection of technology, design and human experience
I'm a Design Researcher based in Melbourne, Australia. I apply architectural design principles and approaches to enable ethical innovation. Primary areas of focus are artificial intelligence, facial recognition, and biometrics. My work reaches global audiences and highlights the importance of public participation in the quest to ensure that innovation creates tangible benefits for society. My commentary is featured regularly in print media and on television, where I discuss societal risks and opportunities of technology trends.
List of publications
Stories of Exile: Hyperlocal Media Architecture in Contested Spaces
Synchronized Wayfinding on Consecutively Situated Public Displays
Media architecture is becoming an increasingly affordable and ubiquitous element in our built environment. As a result, architecture gains dynamic and interactive opportunities to engage with its surroundings. However, the influence of media architecture on the experience of the built environment raises the need to avoid an architectural disconnect. In this paper, we describe which design qualities support the architectural relevance of media architecture. We report on a Q Methodology survey among 22 architects that aimed to reveal the perceived architectural quality of 24 existing media architecture projects. Our analysis of the specific terminology illustrates how perceived architectural quality of media architecture relates to its ability to 1) coexist with physical characteristics of architecture; 2) augment space; 3) respond to contextual changes; and 4) communicate content that is relevant for the architectural situation.
Honeypot Effect: Audience Engagement in Interactive Installations
Social Influence of Full-Body Interaction with Public Displays
Selected Interviews and Press
„TikTok: Data Mining on the World's Most Popular App”, in ABC Four Corners
„The TikTok Spiral”, in ABC News
„Glowing Entrance Revealed for Melbourne's Newest Museum”, in Sydney Morning Herald
„All Hail the Algorithm”, in Al Jazeera
„Reflecting the Imperfections of AI”, in BBC News
„Perfect Humans: Good or Bad”, in The Age
„Should We Believe this Algorithm?”, in Sydney Morning Herald
„This AI Judges You Based on Our Biases”, in World Economic Forum
„Facial Scanning Abuse Looms”, in The Washington Times
„AI Deciphers your Personality”, in ABC, Triple J
„Media Architecture Changes the City”, in ABC Newcastle, Australia
„Make Friends While Printing”, in De Standaard, Belgium
„What if Houses Could Talk?”, in Campuskrant KU Leuven, Belgium
„Our Neighbors have Something to Tell”, in Radio 1, Belgium
„If Houses Could Talk...”, in De Standaard Avond, Belgium