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
Honeypot Effect: Audience Engagement in Interactive Installations
Social Influence of Full-Body Interaction with Public Displays
In recent years, various digital media have been introduced in public space to facilitate communication with and among citizens. Typical examples include public displays, but extends to more abstract forms such as integrated media facades. While most media are introduced to serve commercial, cultural or economic interests, the social and societal values are often undervalued. This talk, held in conjunction with the Connecting Cities Urban Media Lab Symposium organized by iMal (Centre for Digital Cultures and Technology, Brussels, Belgium), discusses the qualities and challenges of involving citizens in the design of media interventions in the urban environment, and situates itself across research, design and practice.
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