We seldom discuss the early builders of this AI landscape, however, there is much we can learn and understand from the grandfathers of AI to help us understand how we got to what we know as AI today, and to understand where we might be going with AI in the future.

This talk examines the pioneering work of anthropologist Diana Forsythe, who immersed herself in the world of AI research during the 1980s and 1990s. Forsythe's groundbreaking research revealed AI as a deeply sociocultural product, shaped by the values, biases, and power structures of its creators.

This talk is a tribute to the impactful and still pertinent work of Forsythe who tragically died in 1997 during an accident. As a modern anthropologist, I will share my journey through the evolving landscape of AI, examining how Forsythe's insights resonate with contemporary challenges and opportunities. Together, we will explore her key findings, including the power dynamics within AI research, the underrepresentation of women, and the critical role of social and cultural factors in shaping AI development.

By revisiting Forsythe's work, we will uncover enduring lessons about the human element in AI creation. Ultimately, I argue that understanding the past is essential for building a more responsible and equitable AI future.

Together we will explore

Never Neutral: Forsythe challenged the notion that technology is neutral and how neglecting the social and the cultural leads to shelfware

Power in the Lab: We explore her analysis of the power researchers and technology developers have when their attitudes and perspectives profoundly influence technological design

The disappearing women in the social world of computing (a problem that doesn’t seem to age well!)

What can we learn from the builders of AI in the 1980s and 1990s, through our understanding of contemporary AI technologists?