Grant / January 2020

Probing the Ambivalence of Facial Recognition Technologies in China: An Ethnographic Study of Megvii

This researcher will undertake a residency and conduct an ethnography of Megvii, a startup company in Beijing that develops smart surveillance technologies, particularly facial recognition systems, using artificial intelligence techniques. Through interviews and ethnographic observations at this particular firm, the project will generate insights into how Chinese experts who currently develop these kinds of technologies perceive the value and significance of digital technologies and especially how their concerns about the security and privacy of users influence the development of their products.