Exploring AI Through Tribal Lenses: 'Humans in the Loop'

Aranya Sahay's acclaimed film, 'Humans in the Loop', delves into the intersection of AI and indigenous communities. Set in Jharkhand, it highlights the experiences of an Oraon woman engaging with AI, raising questions about whether AI truly is a blank slate or carries creator biases.

Mumbai-based writer-director Aranya Sahay's latest feature, 'Humans in the Loop', premiered this Friday, offering a narrative on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and tribal communities.

The film, set in Jharkhand, explores the journey of an Oraon tribal woman who engages with AI while working at a remote data-labelling center. This job reflects a real trend where tech companies utilize rural labor for data tagging—a crucial step in machine learning.

Beyond its narrative, the film questions if AI systems inherit biases from their creators, portraying data labellers as parental figures to AI's child-like role. Acclaimed globally, 'Humans in the Loop' has won numerous awards, solidifying Sahay's reputation in the film industry.