These days, most digital cameras include face detection software. A quick scan of the selection on Best Buy’s website reveals that almost all digital cameras include this feature. Designed to optimize exposure and focus on the subjects in a photograph, the software is now being criticized for not being racially neutral. While the software works as planned on light-skinned faces with Anglo features, it doesn’t work so well on anyone with a more diverse look. But is it racist?
No. I’m pretty sure software, being an inanimate thing and all, doesn’t possess the necessary physical attributes (i.e. a functioning brain) it requires to produce racists thoughts. I’m pretty sure racism is a uniquely human flaw. But, even so, the designers behind the face detection software were likely not creating it to favor white faces. A lack of thorough testing is likely to blame for the problem. But you can be sure a newer version of the software will debut in cameras in the near future and there will be a new glitch to bitch about.
I guess face detection is not as “intelligent” a technology as it is proclaimed to be. But that doesn’t mean it’s racist. And hindsight is always 20/20. So now that developers are aware of the problem, it will likely be fixed. Naturally, a flawless product cannot be released into the market. Otherwise, the companies that make these techie gadgets couldn’t reap the financial rewards of the rapid technological turnover that rules the 21st century.
Photo via Dailymail
