Dr. Marina Gavrilova, a professor at U of C, is advancing biometric technologies with a focus on privacy. Her lab seeks to balance public safety needs with ethical concerns surrounding biometric data collection, while also tackling misinformation and bias in AI systems. New initiatives at U of C aim to educate students about trustworthy AI and enhance interdisciplinary research in this vital area.
In a landscape increasingly impacted by deep learning technology, the protection of individual data is more crucial than ever. Biometrics—biological and behavioral traits such as fingerprints, iris scans, facial recognition, and voice patterns—are vital for identifying individuals. However, existing biometric systems often neglect privacy concerns, a gap that Dr. Marina Gavrilova, a University of Calgary (U of C) professor, strives to address through her research. Dr. Gavrilova, a leading figure in the Department of Computer Science and co-director of the Biometric Technologies lab, emphasizes the significance of developing privacy-centric biometric systems. “The main goal of the biometric system is to ensure public safety by identifying potential intruders or other adversarial elements… But with this technology, the privacy of individuals from whom biometric data is being collected can be severely compromised.” Her lab is dedicated to striking a balance between enhancing public security and safeguarding individual privacy. This approach includes creating systems that can de-identify individuals or that selectively process data such as video feeds or recorded voices. Additionally, Gavrilova’s team utilizes social communication analysis to recognize individual communication styles on platforms like social media, integrating factors like gender and demographic biases into their assessments. Through this, the lab is pioneering the field of social behavior biometrics, which opens pathways for applications such as fake news detection and psychological profiling based on online interactions. “Essentially, in our lab, we pioneer the notion of social behaviour biometrics,” said Gavrilova. The rise of AI and deep learning systems presents societal challenges in maintaining individual identity against a backdrop of quickly evolving technology. Dr. Gavrilova underscores the urgency of addressing these issues, pointing to the ability of current AI systems to produce convincing misinformation and deepfakes that could undermine trust in information. “This is simply dangerous for society because it spreads misinformation, fear, and can affect both corporations, political campaigns, and specific individuals targeted,” she stated. To tackle these systemic risks, Gavrilova highlights several United Nations initiatives aimed at establishing trustworthy and ethical AI frameworks. Significant conferences, including the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator and the Digital Technology and Healthy City Conference, feature workshops on developing bias-mitigation strategies within AI systems. She notes, “There is work that has started on [developing trustworthy and ethical AI],” emphasizing a collaborative approach across disciplines. U of C is also launching new graduate programs focusing on social challenges related to AI, as well as events through the Graduate College aimed at fostering discussions around trustworthy AI. The Information Security club, also part of U of C, facilitates events to raise awareness on personal rights and ethical data collection practices. Marina Gavrilova concludes with a cautionary note on navigating the digital landscape: “We should also be very aware of always using our own judgment when we receive any media news… because it becomes so easy to create fake content online.” With a concentration on differentiating genuine content from deceptive media, her lab is pivotal in this research area.
Biometric systems use unique physical and behavioral traits for identification, yet they often present privacy risks. Dr. Gavrilova’s research focuses on developing privacy-conscious biometric technologies, combining various modalities (like social communication analysis) to enhance both security and ethical compliance. The emergence of advanced AI and deep learning technology exacerbates these concerns, requiring interdisciplinary approaches to solve associated challenges, which are increasingly recognized at academic and international conferences.
Dr. Marina Gavrilova’s research at U of C demonstrates a crucial intersection of biometric technology and privacy. By addressing the ethical implications of biometric data collection and AI’s rapid advancements, her lab aims to create systems that prioritize individual rights while contributing to public safety. The multidisciplinary collaborations fostered through new educational initiatives and forums highlight the growing recognition of trustworthy AI development.
Original Source: thegauntlet.ca
