Shaping the intersection of technology and culture.
Better Worlds, in collaboration with Art Management Magazine, presents the 2024 CultureTech Honors. Following the resounding success of the inaugural CultureTech Awards in 2023, which marked the 20th anniversary of UNESCO’s Convention for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the 2024 Honors aim to celebrate the remarkable contributions of individuals and organizations shaping the intersection of technology and culture. These awards spotlight those who have utilized AI to significantly influence humanity's ability to foster a sustainable and equitable global society.
Inform and Educate
Over the last 18 months AI models have been advancing so rapidly that AI will soon have a significant impact on our daily lives. As AI technology continues its accelerated development,
we need to prepare for the oncoming change to the way we experience the world. CultureTech’s mission is to reflect on and help prepare for the impact of Web3, AI and related technologies on our various cultures. The coming mass adoption of AI will require concentrated effort to inform and educate the global public to its potential benefits and significant impact on everyone’s culture.
The impact of AI on Indigenous Cultures
Of special environmental concern is the impact of AI on indigenous cultures. Although only 5% of the world’s population, indigenous people protect 80% of the worlds remaining bio-diversity. It is vitally important to maintain that remaining bio-diversity which may well necessitate indigenous cultures, values and viewpoints being incorporated into AI training models to ensure the protection of those indispensable life-giving assets.
CultureTech ‘24 will give special consideration to potential honorees that are working to ensure that indigenous voices are being incorporated into the work on technological advancement.
Review Panel
A distinguished review panel has been convened from North America, Europe and Asia to evaluate the contributions of potential honorees.
Evaluation Criteria
The valuation criteria reflect their impact on utilizing AI and related technologies to foster a sustainable and equitable world.
Here are some criteria that will be considered:
Innovation and Creativity:
Evaluate the degree of innovation and creativity demonstrated by the nominee in leveraging technology to enhance cultural experiences, preserve heritage, or address sustainable challenges.
Impact and Influence:
Assess the tangible and measurable impact of the nominee' s work on society, culture, and the environment. This could include metrics such as reach, engagement, adoption, and positive change brought about by their initiatives.
Sustainability:
Consider the extent to which the nominee's contributions promote sustainability.
Ethical Considerations:
Evaluate the ethical implications of the nominee's work, including issues such as data privacy, cultural inclusion, and social responsibility.
Long-term Vision:
Assess the nominee's long-term vision for the intersection of technology and culture and their commitment to sustaining positive outcomes over time. Look for evidence of strategic planning, adaptability to changing circumstances, and a dedication to continuous improvement and learning.
Accessibility and Inclusivity:
Consider the extent to which the nominee's work promotes accessibility and inclusivity for all individuals.
Special Recognition Awards
CultureTech ‘24 will spotlight special recognition recipients who actively integrate indigenous perspectives into their work. The Special Recognition Awards will be presented to nominees that are working on or proposing projects to include indigenous culture into the training of AI models. Nominations can be based on any one of the following thematic topics.
Community Collaboration:
Plans on how indigenous communities can directly engage in the AI model training process including collaboration with community leaders, elders, and cultural experts to ensure that their perspectives, knowledge, and values are incorporated into the design and development of AI models.
Cultural Protocols and Ethics:
Demonstrate how cultural protocols, traditional knowledge, and ethical guidelines can be structured when working with indigenous communities to maintain cultural sensitivity, privacy, and consent throughout the AI
model training process.
Capacity Building and Empowerment:
Propose how to empower indigenous communities to participate actively in AI model training, development, and governance. Illustrate how to provide training, resources, and support to build local capacity in AI
technology and data science.