At the third event of the Toward Public Interest Technology series, Professor Mona Sloane explored the deep connections between design, technology, and social inequality. She emphasized that while ethics is often the focal point of AI discussions, it can sometimes obscure the deeper structural inequities embedded in both technology and design. 

Sloane described how her background as a dancer shaped her approach to studying spatial atmospheres, urban inequality, and the ways in which design influences human behavior. She brought this perspective to her work in AI, highlighting the need to engage with architects and designers to better understand the social theories and practices that inform technological systems. She also discussed the challenges of translating the tangible aspects of design, such as space, structure, and physical interaction, into the largely immaterial realm of AI. Advocating for stronger institutional support, Sloane stressed the importance of recognizing disciplinary expertise in AI-related conversations and increasing resources for research that uncovers the social inequalities embedded in technological development.  

Watch the video to learn more about how engineering, public policy, and sustainability intersect to create a more equitable technological future.