Tech

Twitter competition finds that algorithm bias prefers white, slim, young faces

Published

4 years ago

August 12, 2021

A student researcher has found that Twitter’s image-cropping algorithm prefers faces that are slim, young and light-skinned

A graduate student at Switzerland’s EFPL university has discovered a bias in Twitter’s image-cropping ‘saliency’ algorithm.

Bogdan Kulynyc proved that the algorithm preferred faces that are light-skinned, slim and young. Twitter’s saliency algorithm decides the most interesting part of an image to crop for preview.

The researcher tested how the software responded to AI-generated faces

Kulynyc found that by he could manipulate the algorithm to be prefer faces by “making the person’s skin lighter or warmer and smoother; and quite often changing the appearance to that of a younger, more slim, and more stereotypically feminine person”.

He achieved this by using an AI face generator to create artificial people with varying features. He was then able to run the images through the algorithm to see which faces the software preferred.

“We should not forget that algorithmic bias is only a part of a bigger picture. Addressing bias in general and in competitions like this should not end the conversation about the tech being harmful in other ways, or by design, or by fact of existing,” said Kulynyc.

“A lot of harmful tech is harmful not because of accidents, unintended mistakes, but rather by design”
Bogdan Kulynyc

“This shows how algorithmic models amplify real-world biases and societal expectations of beauty”

Twitter’s director of software engineering and head of AI Ethics Rumman Chowdhury says the findings “showcased how applying beauty filters could game the algorithm’s internal scoring model.

“We create these filters because we think that’s what ‘beautiful’ is, and that ends up training our models and driving these unrealistic notions of what it means to be attractive.”

We should not forget that "algorithmic bias" is only a part of a bigger picture. Addressing bias in general and in competitions like this should not end the conversation about the tech being harmful in other ways, or by design, or by fact of existing.
— Bogdan Kulynych (@hiddenmarkov) August 9, 2021

Twitter’s “algorithmic bug bounty”

The findings mark the conclusion of Twitter’s first “algorithmic bug bounty”. The event was part of an in-house competition at the DEF CON security conference in LA.

Twitter rewarded the student $3500 for his efforts.

Last year, Twitter came under fire for cropping out Black faces

This comes after and incident last year, where the tech giant found that the preview crop was more likely to hide Black faces.

Twitter’s director of software engineering Rumman Chowdhury said the findings illustrated that “how to crop an image is a decision best made by people”.

Tech

AI spending in 2026: Why investment is compounding, not just cyclical

As 2026 begins, AI investment debates rise; real revenue growth signals pivotal changes for tech adoption and future trends.

Published

11 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Harvey Vargas

As 2026 begins, AI investment debates rise; real revenue growth signals pivotal changes for tech adoption and future trends.

As we kick off 2026, the debate around AI spending is heating up. Skeptics warn of cyclical hype, but new evidence suggests that AI investment is delivering real revenue and gaining traction across enterprises. Brad Gastwirth from Circular Technologies breaks down why this year could be pivotal for AI adoption.

We dive into how AI spending today compares to previous tech booms, the impact of circular funding models, and why enterprise and sovereign demand are driving durable growth. Brad explains the compounding effect of AI investment and what it means for future technological development.

Finally, we explore the race toward AGI and ASI and the broader implications for the tech landscape. From skeptics to believers, understanding these trends is key for investors, businesses, and tech enthusiasts alike.

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#AIInvestment #TechTrends2026 #ArtificialIntelligence #EnterpriseAI #FutureTech #AGI #TechBoom #CircularFunding

Tech

TSMC posts record profits on AI chip boom

TSMC posts record Q4 profit, driven by strong chip demand, exceeding predictions and signaling market dominance.

Published

5 days ago

January 16, 2026

Harvey Vargas

TSMC posts record Q4 profit, driven by strong chip demand, exceeding predictions and signaling market dominance.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has posted a record net profit for the fourth quarter, driven by strong demand for advanced chips.

Net profit surged 35% year-on-year, exceeding analyst expectations and signalling a dominant position in the semiconductor market.

Quarterly revenue also rose 20.5% compared to last year, supported by robust sales in AI and high-performance computing segments. The company’s success reflects the growing global appetite for cutting-edge semiconductor technology.

Looking ahead, TSMC plans to ramp up capital expenditure, projecting investments of up to $56 billion in 2026. The positive results have sparked an upbeat reaction across global markets, highlighting TSMC’s influence in the tech sector.

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#TSMC #Semiconductors #AIChips #TechNews #HighPerformanceComputing #StockMarket #QuarterlyEarnings #TechInvesting

Tech

X restricts Grok AI as global backlash grows

X restricts Grok AI from creating sexualized images amid global backlash and regulatory concerns, aligning with UK guidelines.

Published

6 days ago

January 15, 2026

Harvey Vargas

X restricts Grok AI from creating sexualized images amid global backlash and regulatory concerns, aligning with UK guidelines.

X has announced new restrictions on its Grok AI chatbot, preventing it from generating sexualized images of women amid mounting criticism and regulatory scrutiny worldwide.

The move comes after concerns over non-consensual image manipulation sparked widespread backlash from users, advocacy groups, and authorities.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that the platform’s latest changes align with British law, as Ofcom launches a formal investigation to determine whether X has violated the Online Safety Act.

Regulators are closely monitoring the situation, highlighting growing global concerns about the ethical use of AI in image generation. Critics have argued that X’s initial measures were insufficient and did not adequately address the risks associated with sexualized AI content.

The controversy has also prompted action in Southeast Asia. Malaysia and Indonesia have blocked access to Grok entirely, citing the platform’s potential to generate inappropriate content.

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#GrokAI #XPlatform #AIRegulation #OnlineSafety #KeirStarmer #AIControversy #TechNews #DigitalEthics