How to create tech-driven diversity | Rezza Moieni | TEDxKorea University

Key Concepts

Cultural Identity, Diversity (Variety, Disparity, Balance), Technology & Culture, AI Bias, Data-Driven Culture Analysis, Identity Priorities, Intercultural Understanding, Diversity of Thought.

Introduction: The Uniqueness of Cultural Identity

The speaker begins by stating that no two individuals share the exact same cultural identity, a realization that stemmed from their experience working in intercultural understanding after moving to Australia in 2014. They contrast the data-driven approach of tech environments with the more abstract discussions around belonging, inclusion, and equity, highlighting the initial lack of measurable data in the latter. This led to a 10-year research project involving various experts to develop a methodology for analyzing cultural identity.

Measuring Cultural Diversity: Variety, Disparity, and Balance

The speaker introduces three key metrics for defining cultural diversity:

• Variety: Simple difference (e.g., Persian vs. Italian).
• Disparity: The distance between ethno-linguistic elements (e.g., Japanese & Swahili vs. Portuguese, Italian & Spanish). A team with Japanese, Swahili, and Spanish speakers has greater linguistic diversity than a team with Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish speakers because the linguistic distance between Japanese and Swahili is greater.
• Balance: Even distribution across groups (e.g., not all men in IT and all women in marketing).

These metrics provide a framework for quantifying and understanding diversity beyond simple categorization.

Deconstructing Cultural Identity: The Four Pillars

The research identified four pillars of cultural identity:

1. Ethnic/Ancestral Background: With subcategories like marrying into another culture.
2. Language(s): Including variations and dialects (e.g., Singlish).
3. Country of Birth: And alignment with other countries.
4. Religions/World Views: Including branches and denominations.

These pillars, combined with demographic diversity (sex at birth, age, gender identity, disabilities, sexual orientation, etc.), form a high-resolution data set for understanding individual cultural identities. The speaker emphasizes the importance of avoiding broad categories like "Asian" which encompasses over 1,500 ethnic groups in Myanmar alone there are over 330 ethnic groups.

Identity Priorities: What Matters Most

The speaker discusses how individuals prioritize different aspects of their identity. A study revealed:

• Women rank gender as their 3rd highest identity priority, while men rank it 18th.
• White Americans prioritize country of birth, while African Americans prioritize ancestral heritage.
• Heterosexual individuals rank sexuality as 19th, while non-heterosexual individuals rank it 2nd.
• People with disabilities often prioritize disability higher than religion or country of birth.

The speaker concludes that "what marginalizes us tends to become our identity priority."

The Analytically Neglected Space of Culture

Drawing a parallel to the evolution of medicine, the speaker argues that culture has been "analytically neglected." Just as technology (microscopes, imaging systems, AI) revolutionized medical diagnosis and treatment, a data-driven approach is needed to understand culture. UNESCO data indicates that 75% of world conflicts have roots in cultural differences (ethnicity, religion, values, etc.). In 2023, $19.1 trillion was spent on violent conflicts, with $14.3 trillion attributed to cultural roots.

The Danger of AI Bias and the Importance of Diversity of Thought

The speaker warns about the potential for AI to diminish diversity of thought. While search engines provide multiple answers, AI often provides a single, filtered response, potentially reinforcing biases. AI is only as good as the data it's trained on. If the data sets are not diverse, the technology will not be reflective of the population. The speaker urges developers to use inclusive and wide data sets and to demand diversity of thought when using AI. AI should expand the way we think, not limit it.

Conclusion: Marrying Culture and Technology for an Inclusive Future

The speaker concludes by emphasizing that culture is dynamic and shapes societies and businesses. Every setting is intercultural. A better understanding of cultural identities is crucial to avoid building societies based on assumptions. Technology can be used to understand culture better, and culture should be central to the development and design of technology. By marrying culture and technology, we can build a future that is inclusive, just, and reflective of us. Diversity is foundational to society.