Prof. Emily M. Bender(she/her)Feb 3, 2023

It's 2023. "Gosh, we didn't realize how people would misuse this" just isn't believable anymore.

Bare minimum, with any new tech:
1) How would a stalker use this?
2) What will 4chan do with this?

And don't release, not even as alpha or beta, before mitigating those risks.

https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/31/23579289/ai-voice-clone-deepfake-abuse-4chan-elevenlabs

#AIethics #ethNLP

4chan users embrace AI voice clone tool to generate celebrity hatespeech

AI voice cloning software is improving rapidly — as is its accessibility. 4chan users recently discovered free software that lets them clone the voices of celebrities like Joe Rogan and Emma Watson, generating audio samples ranging from hatespeech to erotica.

The Verge
Show threadQueer Sci FiFeb 3, 2023
@emilymbender On a slightly related note - can my grandmother figure out how to use this?
Show threadProf. Emily M. Bender(she/her)Feb 3, 2023
@queerscifi ah, some casual ageism and misogyny. Just what I needed this morning! *sigh*
Show threadQueer Sci Fi

@emilymbender Sorry - not my intent at all. It actually came from my aunt, who is in her seventies, and who suggested that all software be beta tested in nursing homes. Her point being that software engineers often make software needlessly complicated, and should be considering all users.

My grandmother was a very capeable person - she was on Facebook and active there in her late eighties, and had her own blog.

Feb 3, 2023 at 4:12pmWeb
Show threadProf. Emily M. Bender(she/her)Feb 3, 2023
@queerscifi Right -- so there are ways to express that idea that don't involve "your grandmother".
Show threadQueer Sci FiFeb 3, 2023

@emilymbender That's fair. I was just trying to personalize it, and having a fond memory of her at the same time.

My aunt said it should be "beta tested in nursing homes."

I still miss my Grandma Joyce after ten years, and so that's how it came out.

Sorry for causing you distress.

Show threadPCFeb 4, 2023

@emilymbender
@queerscifi

Not grandma!

#RespectYourElders
#BeKind