HP's problem with face-tracking software

HP now offers a laptop with a built-in camera that features face tracking software. If you're using the camera, it will maintain a center and focus on you, even if you move as you talk. The problem with this innovation is that it seems to not recognize and follow folks with dark skin. Watch this 2-minute demonstration:



This incident is yet another illustration of my intent/effect concept. I am certain that HP did not intend to build software that discriminates on the basis of skin color. But the effect of the software is just that.

Just because HP doesn't intend to discriminate on the basis of skin color does not mean that they are not responsible making changes to eliminate the disparate effect.


Related: The abc comedy Better off Ted aired an episode last season with a very similar problem (Ep 1.4 "Racial Sensitivity"). The corporation installed sensors automatically turn on and off lights and equipment. The sensors didn't recognize dark-skinned people, though. The problem:



The solution: the corporation hires white people to follow around the dark-skinned people (so the lights will come on when they enter rooms). Then the company is forced to hire more dark skinned people to follow around the white followers (because discrimination based on skin color is illegal).

It's a funny treatment of the issue. I wish I could find the full episode online.


Originally posted at intent/effect