Raesetje Sefala, a South African activist, is using computer vision and satellite imagery to address the effects of spatial apartheid. She aims to map out and analyze racial segregation in housing, hoping to prompt systemic change and equitable resource allocation. Her work is providing valuable data to policymakers and organizations advocating for social justice and urban planning.
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Raesetje Sefala: Using AI to Fight Spatial Apartheid in South Africa
Raesetje Sefala, along with her team at the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR), is utilizing computer vision tools and satellite images to analyze the impacts of racial segregation in housing in South Africa. Their aim is to reverse the inequalities inherited from the apartheid era.
Mapping Spatial Apartheid
Sefala and her team have collected millions of satellite images and geospatial data to map out townships and study how neighborhoods are changing in terms of population and size. Through the use of machine-learning models and AI systems, they have labeled specific areas to identify disparities in resource allocation.
Impact and Data Sharing
Their data set is being shared with researchers and public service institutions to aid in identifying land for public services and housing. This work aligns with the goal of putting AI and data into the hands of marginalized groups, as emphasized by Gebru.
Practical Applications
By providing information on spatial apartheid, Sefala’s work is helping to advise the government on budget allocations for programs such as HIV treatment. Additionally, it is supporting organizations advocating for urban justice and addressing the housing crisis in cities like Cape Town.
Support for Change
The data set is expected to support the work of organizations like Ndifuna Ukwazi, which aims to demonstrate the availability of public land for affordable housing and public services. The hope is that the data will shape policy and drive evidence-based decision-making.
Utilizing AI for Business Transformation
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