In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of how a facial recognition system works by using Python in Google Colaboratory. Participants will learn how to build, then manipulate the different parts of a face recognition system using pre-prepared Python code templates as a base. Participants will develop literacy around the digital surveillance of biometric data and engage in discussions about what might constitute a toolkit for public awareness and citizen resistance to facial recognition technologies.

This workshop is part of Vector Festival 2021.

About the Instructors

Aaron Tucker is a novelist and poet who is currently a PhD Candidate in the Cinema and Media Arts Program at York University (Toronto). His graduate research creation work explores the construction and image making of facial recognition datasets alongside the mechanics of articifical intelligence, deep fakes, and machine learning. In addition he is a member of the X University Library Collaboratory, focusing on humanities uses of artifical intelligence and computer vision.

Jae Seo is a multidisciplinary researcher, and a musician. He is very passionate about self-expression, and believes AI will enable democratization of self-expression, anyone will be able express themselves in any form of media in any language.