AI technology is increasingly being employed for various purposes, but its applications aren’t always positive. Recent reports highlight how AI is being used for censorship, adding to concerns about its potential misuse. In Mason City, Iowa, the school board has adopted AI technology to compile lists of potentially ban-worthy books from school libraries in response to legislative changes in the state’s education curriculum.
In May, Senate File 496 (SF 496) was enacted in Iowa, introducing significant alterations to the state’s education curriculum. The legislation dictates that books available in school libraries and classrooms should be “age appropriate” and devoid of “descriptions or visual depictions of a sex act,” in accordance with Iowa Code 702.17. This new legal framework has posed challenges for educational institutions in ensuring their book collections align with these regulations.
Mason City Community School District is grappling with the task of evaluating an extensive range of titles to ensure compliance with the new guidelines. Recognizing the impracticality of reviewing each book manually, the district has turned to AI technology to identify potentially non-compliant texts. Bridgette Exman, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction at the district, acknowledged the overwhelming nature of the task, noting that the district’s libraries hold diverse collections acquired through various means, making comprehensive manual assessment infeasible.
The process involves the creation of a “master list” sourced from various references, which includes titles that may have faced complaints about sexual content in the past. The identified books are then subjected to scrutiny by AI software that assesses whether they contain explicit sexual content. This AI-driven approach helps the district navigate the challenge of screening numerous books while adhering to legal requirements.
Exman acknowledged the district’s commitment to a “defensible process” that adheres to legal obligations while also protecting students. The utilization of AI software in this scenario exemplifies how emerging technologies are being leveraged for complex tasks that are otherwise challenging to accomplish manually.
However, this example raises broader concerns about the use of AI for censorship. While AI can streamline processes, its role in censoring content, particularly in educational settings, raises questions about potential biases, inaccuracies, and over-restrictive interpretations of regulations. Striking a balance between compliance with legal mandates and preserving intellectual freedom remains a critical consideration in the application of AI-driven censorship.
In conclusion, the adoption of AI technology for censorship purposes, as seen in the case of Mason City, Iowa’s school district, highlights the challenges faced by educational institutions in aligning with new legal regulations. While AI aids in streamlining the assessment of book collections, it also brings to the forefront concerns about potential biases and the balance between complying with the law and preserving intellectual freedom. The application of AI in censorship underscores the complex ethical and practical considerations associated with emerging technologies in educational settings.
