Join us for a special NLP-CoP members-only event with: Mirca Madianou, author of Technocolonialism

Join the NLP-CoP’s Humanitarian AI+MERL Working Group for a Members-Only event on February 11th at 3-4pm GMT/ 10-11am ET. 

We are delighted to announce that Mirca Madianou will be joining us to speak about her new book “Technocolonialism: When Technology for Good is Harmful.” 

Understanding the historical use of technology in the humanitarian sector 

Nowadays discussion of AI seems to be everywhere humanitarians turn. But before AI other technologies such as blockchain, biometrics and even more seemingly mundane forms of automated communication stirred up similar conversations around power, privacy and experimentation in the humanitarian sector. In her new book Mirca Madianou offers us an analytical lens through which to understand how the unfolding of digital innovation within the humanitarian sector amplifies long standing colonial legacies of both technology and humanitarian assistance itself. 

We’ll hear from Mirca about her extensive research on how the acceleration of digitisation and datification in the humanitarian sector narrows the lens of accountability and upends promises of transparency and participation. The event will include a short author presentation, and a moderated Q+A followed by audience Q+A. 

More about our speaker

Mirca Madianou is Professor in the Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies and co-Director of the Migrant Futures Institute at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her research focuses on the social consequences of communication technologies, infrastructures and artificial intelligence (AI) in a global south context especially in relation to migration and humanitarian emergencies. She is currently Principal Investigator on a British Academy grant on digital identity programmes in refugee camps in Thailand. Her latest book is “Technocolonialism: when technology for good is harmful”. 

Register now!

Register here to join us on February 11th at 3-4pm GMT/ 10-11am ET. (You will receive a link for the call upon registration).

Please note that this is an event for members of the NLP-CoP. If you are not a member but would like to join, make sure to sign up here before you register for the event. 

We look forward to seeing you then!