Suffolk Reporter

The Provost’s Spotlight Talks at Stony Brook University highlight notable figures and faculty members recognized for their contributions. The upcoming talk will feature Stephanie Dinkins, a transmedia artist and Kusama endowed chair in art at the university's College of Arts and Sciences. Dinkins will present "The Stories We Encode: AI, Love and the Future of Algorithmic Care" on Tuesday, October 22, at 3:30 pm in the Charles B. Wang Center Theatre.

Dinkins is known for her work at the intersection of emerging technologies and social collaboration. She was named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People in AI in 2023 for her project "Not the Only One." This ongoing initiative involves training an AI with data from three generations of Black women to provide it with cultural roots and perspectives that are often missing from existing systems.

The event is free to attend and open to the public. Following the discussion, a reception hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences will take place in the Wang Theatre lobby to welcome new and promoted faculty.

In her talk, Dinkins will address how AI impacts society by highlighting longstanding human rights issues and prejudices. She emphasizes that confronting institutional biases is crucial for ensuring AI benefits humanity. This requires rethinking relationships with other beings and technologies while recognizing systemic inequalities, redefining human identity, and distributing resources equitably. If developed ethically, AI presents an opportunity to envision a more equitable world.