Revealing Pros and Cons of Facial Recognition: Pizza & Prof with Erik Learned-Miller

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Professor Erik Learned-Miller

Erik Learned-Miller, a leading expert in facial recognition technology and professor in the College of Information and Computer Sciences will be hosting the spring 2024 edition of Pizza and Prof. With decades of research under his belt, Learned-Miller is set to offer an insightful look into the complexities of facial recognition technology, discussing its vast potential and the ethical concerns it raises. This is a unique chance for Honors students to engage directly with a pioneer in the field over some delicious pizza.

Convenience vs. Surveillance

As we navigate our daily lives, facial recognition technology is becoming increasingly integral, from unlocking our phones to enhancing security systems. Yet, despite its growing presence, many of us remain unaware of the intricacies and implications of this technology. The upcoming Pizza & Prof event promises to shed light on these aspects, offering a deep dive into the world of digital identification and surveillance. This discussion is not only timely but critical, as we stand on the brink of a technological revolution that poses significant questions for our future.

“There are many possible applications of face recognition technology,” explains Professor Erik Learned-Miller. “Take, for instance, unlocking your phone or organizing photos. These are everyday uses we’re all familiar with. And in these contexts, accuracy is important, but it’s not critical. So, if your photo app misses a few pictures of grandma or mistakenly includes her sister who bears a resemblance, it’s not the end of the world.”

However, the risks climb dramatically when facial recognition is used in higher-stakes scenarios, like law enforcement. As Learned-Miller points out, "If the police are using face recognition and they stop somebody for a traffic stop and the system misrecognizes them as a criminal when they're not a criminal, then that can be a disaster because those situations, we all know, can escalate very rapidly, even with two well-meaning people."

This is just one of the real-world examples Learned-Miller will unpack during his Pizza & Prof talk, "Face Recognition: The Pros and the Cons and How We Can Manage Them." Through engaging stories and thought-provoking analysis, he'll shine a light on the complex social, ethical, and practical considerations surrounding this pervasive technology.

A Lifelong Career Applying Science to Facial Recognition

Interestingly, Learned-Miller's path to becoming a leading expert in facial recognition technology began with a fascination about a uniquely human cognitive ability — our brain's remarkable capacity to recognize thousands of distinct faces after just a single encounter. This insight into the brain's face-recognition prowess ultimately inspired Learned-Miller to focus his research on developing machine learning algorithms that could replicate and even enhance this innate human skill.

However, he soon encountered a major obstacle: the field of facial recognition was plagued by sloppy, non-rigorous work – with researchers often cherry-picking their best results instead of transparently reporting their systems' flaws and limitations. Determined to bring more scientific discipline to this critical area of study, Learned-Miller spearheaded the creation of the "Labeled Faces in the Wild" database, which imposed strict testing protocols for technology researchers to follow. This was just the first step in his career-long mission to shape the responsible development of facial recognition technology.

Today, as a professor at UMass, Learned-Miller remains at the forefront of delving into both the remarkable opportunities and significant challenges presented by this widely used — yet often misunderstood — technology. 

During our conversation, Learned-Miller emphasized that this topic isn't just for tech insiders, it demands input from a wide range of disciplines and perspectives. "Sometimes people want to be 100% on one side or another. They're like, 'Oh, this is a bad technology. We should eliminate it!' And I'll say, 'Oh, well, did you know we can use this technology to find people with undiagnosed hyperthyroid disease? Do you still want to eliminate all of it?'"

In other words, the reality is much more complex than a simple "good vs. bad" dichotomy. Facial recognition has genuine, beneficial applications, but it also carries serious risks around privacy, bias, and civil liberties. Striking the right balance is the key challenge — one that requires diverse perspectives, from engineering to public health policy to psychology, law, and regulatory affairs.

Whether you're a tech-savvy student, an aspiring policymaker, or simply someone who's curious about the digital forces shaping our world, Learned-Miller believes this Pizza & Prof event has something valuable to offer. He highlights the value of approaching facial recognition with an open mind, recognizing its potential alongside its challenges. This event is set to be a thought-provoking gathering, offering invaluable insights for everyone interested in the interplay between technology and society.

So join us on April 11 at 4 p.m. in the Honors Hub for an enlightening conversation, pizza, and the unique opportunity to learn from one of the leading experts in the field of facial recognition. This is an event you won't want to miss.