Addressing Algorithm Materiality and Bias through Art: Exploring Social Media-Augmented Reality Features

This article intends to empower and equip art educators to artistically address the functioning of facial detection algorithms through critical race theory (CRT). By highlighting how biometric data, a specific form of data that measures the physical qualities of individuals, is used in common social media facial detection algorithms like Snapchat, art students are encouraged to use principles of value and facial proportions to interact with and explore these algorithms in a material way. Examples of algorithms systematically perpetuating racism are shared to highlight the real-world significance of data and algorithms. Artistic responses to biometrics and artificial intelligence (AI) are provided to inspire student artistic research, along with teacher examples. Finally, the conclusion urges art educators to address the functioning of algorithms and their potential issues through the arts.