Adaptive Psychological Profiling from Nonverbal Behavior – Why Are Ethics Just Not Enough to Build Trust?

Abstract

The ethical, social and legal landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) driven systems is rapidly changing. Since the GDPR (GDPR Portal, [Online], 2018. Available at: https://gdpr-info.eu/. Accessed 27/02/2020), stakeholders in developing AI systems have had to interpret and implement Article 22 concerning an individual’s rights in the context of automated decision making, the ability of AI to explain decisions and the logic involved, and to develop models using only “correct” data. This has caused major challenges due to the lack of legal guidance, case law and ethical principles about the use of AI in different contexts. This chapter describes two case studies which use AI within adaptive and automated psychological profiling in the fields of deception and comprehension detection from analysis of nonverbal behavior. The first study considers an automated deception detection system, which is used to contribute toward a risk score of a traveler within a traveler pre-registration system based upon an interview with an avatar border guard. The second study describes a system designed to detect comprehension levels of learners whilst they engage in a learning activity which can then automatically intervene to support their learning. These two application areas are at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of the media interest and public perceptions of ethical AI, within a climate of continually emerging AI technologies and illustrate why ethics are not enough to build acceptance and trust. Numerous public surveys have been conducted on public perceptions of AI on populations with a certain level of educational attainment. In order to dispel the myths of AI, it is necessary to empower the general public, regardless of social class, through educational awareness of AI applications.

Appendices

Biography

When Keeley Crockett was in school, she wanted to be an astronaut – but she was not the greatest at physics, demonstrating a stronger ability in computer science and control technology. Keeley first learnt to program using the BBC BASIC programming language at the age of 14 in school. During this time, she also studied control technology using simple circuits to build simple traffic lights and small robots. Keeley was inquisitive, liked a challenge, and studied artificial intelligence as part of her first degree. Following a practical Higher National Diploma in Software Engineering, she spent 2 years at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology studying computation, graduating in 1993. Here she gained an appreciation of artificial intelligence and was introduced to fuzzy logic. Whilet studying, Keeley found herself to be in a very small minority of women on the course.

Following graduation, Keeley applied and received a good job offer; however, she choose to carry on in education and pursue a PhD, which involved a teaching role within the University. As well as research, Keeley really enjoyed working with and helping students to understand key computer science concepts and loved seeing them have a Eureka moment when they finally managed to solve a problem. Over the years, she has had the opportunity to work in hospitals with medical professionals on using ICT, through to teaching the more elderly community to use email, and working with young people who have left school with no qualifications on computer science projects to allow them to believe in themselves.

Toward the end of her PhD, Keeley joined the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society and was inspired by other women professors in the field. She attended her first IEEE conference on Fuzzy systems (IEEE-FUZZ) in San Antonio, Texas in 2000 and was inspired and motivated by the quality of the speakers. In 2001, she attended IEEE-FUZZ in Melbourne and was privileged that the founder of fuzzy logic, Professor Lofti Zadeh, attended her paper session and spoke to her briefly afterward about her work – providing motivation. At this conference, she met the most amazing woman – Professor Bernadette Bouchon-Meunier from the Université Pierre et Marie Curie, who had started a group within the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society known as IEEE Women in Computational Intelligence (WCI). Bernadette went on to become her unofficial mentor.

Keeley is an active volunteer within the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society, chairing many sub-committees on travel grants. In 2014, she also became the Chair for Women in Engineering (WIE) in the UK and Ireland until 2019, when she served a year on the IEEE Women in Engineering Leadership Committee. If it was not for the incredible women mentors and role models who provided advice and support throughout her career, she is convinced her path would have been different. Now as a qualified mentor, she has had the privilege to see students grow and follow their goals to achieve their own successful careers (kind of like a proud parent!).

Keeley also has a passion and drive to bring computer science opportunities to rural schools in the UK and can be regularly found in primary schools delivering programming and robotics sessions with children aged between 4 and 10 years old. Running computer science events at National Science festivals and IEEE WIE and WCI events allows young people to have hands on experiences, inspires, and encourages them within their education. Seeing female academics engage in these many activities sends a clear action message, that yes you can be female and work in this field. Despite incredible efforts over the years to encourage females into taking STEM careers from many organizations and people, there is still much work to be done form the grassroots level. Keeley became a national STEM Ambassador in 2018.

Currently, Keeley is Professor in Computational Intelligence at Manchester Metropolitan University. She has supervised 25 successfully completed PhD students to date, 50% whom were women. She believes that the key to successful PhDs is a team partnership where supervisors and students are on a research journey together to try and solve a societal challenge that will have some positive impact on people’s lives.

Message

I was honored to take part in the writing of this book which showcases some of the amazing research undertaken by women in the field of computational intelligence. I will openly admit I suffer from imposter syndrome, I am not very confident, and I end up questioning everything that I do. It took me longer than most to become a full professor in my academic career journey, but I never gave up and instead relished working with some amazing students and people along the way. My advice is to never lose sight of who you are, always be kind, and have the courage to follow your dreams.