This Week in Tech, Race, and Gender - DINT 138

Microsoft remains consistent in its support for diversity and inclusion. Apple, as well, showed backbone. But, Amazon and Meta have both reversed support for diversity within their ranks.

Jan 25, 2025

Tech Race and Gender by the Numbers

2 out of 5 of the Big Tech firms rejected diversity practices this week: Meta and Amazon. Note: Microsoft and Apple re-affirmed their stances on diversity.

Petty media-geek take on this issue: It’s the height of irony that a media organization owned by Amazon would report on Amazon’s anti-DEI practices. It’s hard to read The Posts’s coverage with any sense of depth or seriousness.

99% - That’s how accurate facial recognition technology is for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) according to its recently released implementation report.

An excerpt from then-CIO and Chief AI Officer at DHS inluded a note of support for facial recognition in law enforcement.

"We’re not perfect, but this report highlights how FR is delivering real value for the public and supporting critical law enforcement missions—while maintaining our commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible AI use,” wrote Eric Hysen in a LinkedIn post last week.

We’re sure you don’t need reminding that facial recognition has misidentified at least eight Black people, leading to false arrests in each case. Re-sharing this insightful video on the topic.

52 - The percentage of TikTok users who get their news from the site.

TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a company based in China. China can compel companies in its country to provide data about customers. Hence the calls for a TikTok shutdown in the U.S.

33% or One Third - The amount of U.S. adults who use TikTok.