A “new order” was beginning to see the light of day. More and more people were hearing about the technological world, the breakthroughs that would help societies with daily tasks, and everything else that these new resources would spawn. From that moment on, figures emerged who saw different possibilities for the technological breakthroughs that were unfolding.

There are those who, as defenders of the light side of the Force, sought to give technology a positive spin, one that would help to unite societies and people, and to discover applications that would create a better world; one based on plurality, respect, and equality. But, as has happened since the dawn of time, the Force also has a dark side, one that seeks to divide and conquer, one whose agents are more interested in their own benefit, no matter how many rights are violated; and one that doesn’t hesitate for a moment to discriminate against certain social sectors in order to achieve their own goals. This internal struggle within the Force illustrates why the use of technology is debated, as we struggle to answer the key question of whether we’ll really use technology for good or, instead, rely on it for more nefarious purposes.

FROM ANAKIN TO DARTH VADER

One of these debates between the technological Jedi and Sith has taken place, especially in recent years, in relation to the processing and usage of the personal data that users provide when accepting terms and conditions that they often do not read. This technological data usage often results in illegal use of our information, leading to the creation of social, commercial, and/or psychological profiles of us.

A great example of the dark side’s misuse of technology’s resources is the scandal that happened with the up-and-coming padawan, Facebook, alongside Cambridge Analytica. With enormous potential to be tapped into and unique potential to become a leader for the light side of the Force in terms of personal data processing, Facebook was embroiled in a case of illegal personal data use. Like Anakin Skywalker, Facebook went from hero to villain in no time. The dark side tempted Mark Zuckerberg’s company, obtaining from it personal data about millions of the social network’s users. This data, in turn, helped Cambridge Analytica to create a series of profiles without the authorisation of the vast majority of the users who owned it.

This data, which was used to create psychological profiles, helped in the designing of electoral campaigns in the US. One of the most powerful Sith leaders, Donald Trump, took advantage of this technology-driven advantage, according to The New York Times, The Guardian, and ABC. Through Cambridge Analytica, which had obtained personal data thanks to the permissions granted on Facebook, and the misuse thereof, Trump managed to research the electorate favourable to him, as well as voters who were undecided. Based on this information, he devised a social media advertising strategy whose content depended on the profiles reaped from the data collected. Thus, just like in the Galactic Senate, Trump triumphed after a dubious electoral campaign, causing the promising Anakin – represented by Facebook – to become the evil Darth Vader of the plot: having had the chance to make its power available to the light side of the Force, Facebook ended up being on the dark side of technology.

Of course, one thing that the Star Wars story has taught us is that the light will never give way to darkness. This is why the struggle between the two sides of the Force is still alive in this regard. Personal data usage does have Jedi, too, who will do everything in their power to safeguard the proper use of technology to this end. Regulated, legal, and efficient use can make progress in this regard extraordinary, really helping to simplify onerous and non-intuitive tasks (like paperwork and bureaucratic processes), making people’s day-to-day lives easier.

A clear example of this good use of the Force and personal data to achieve more accessible governmental bodies, and really use technology to address social needs, is the concept of data governance. In words that can be understood both here on Earth and on Naboo (as well as everywhere in between), data governance refers to criteria that ensure the proper use of data; that is, so that it is used for the benefit of people, and not to take advantage of them. These processes will always aim to ensure privacy and to use all information provided responsibly.

One of the nuclei of the Rebellion that continues to fight for the light side, in terms of data use, is in Biscay. Here the Jedi fight to make data open and secure so that it works for citizens and not against them, aiming to make bureaucratic processes more useful, intuitive, and streamlined. This initiative arose in 2016, when the Government of Biscay approved Provincial Regulation 01/2016, through which it tried to promote the reuse of public data as a source of knowledge for citizens. Since then Biscay has become an example of the path to follow in order to properly use data; both its own and that of citizens.

ALLIES IN THE STRUGGLE TO PROTECT THE GALAXY

The cost of humanity’s activities on the Galaxy is too high for the planet. We constantly see how our world is threatened by non-stop emissions that put the future of our species, and of the others with which we live, at risk. Data usage by the light side of the Force can help to curb this environmental impact. In fact, there are several initiatives seeking to control and limit the volume of emissions, helping companies to have an exact count of the amounts of pollutants they emit into the environment, in order to limit and control them. An example of this is the initiative backed by Bill Gates: Breakthrough Energy aims to get companies to measure and then control their emissions, aiming for us to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

THE STORMTROOPER PATTERN

Docile, obedient, and without a thought of their own. That is how people who are part of the First Order are supposed to be, all governed by an immovable pattern under which they will be seen as traitors to the Dark Side if they stray from the established rules. Something like this is what happened to Finn, who, after being horrified by acts committed by the First Order, decided to desert and embark upon a path towards the light side of the Force.

This pattern governing the First Order is the same as the one that creates problems when it comes to the design of Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms, a magcon field in which the struggle between the two sides of the Force lays dormant. Having a unified, overarching, and unbiased concept of normalcy helps the light side see its place in AI, while fostering limited normalcy will cause algorithms to fail and create more barriers between people.

Often there is a tendency for the people in charge of creating algorithms – or, in layman’s terms, who teach machines to imitate the abilities of a human being – to end up only taking into account their personal concept of “normal”. This is why we can often see how machines perceive certain very limited characteristics as “normal” – characteristics that do nothing but polarise, discriminate against, and single out certain groups of people. This improper use of the Force means that technology, rather than helping and being at the service of people, divides them and creates a kind of focus on everything that comes from the “normalcy” imposed by the algorithm. This is something like what Finn experienced when he left the First Order, ceasing to be a stormtrooper and going on to find his place in the Rebellion: he was singled out for not belonging to the normalcy imposed by the Dark Side.

There are several examples of this “dehumanisation” of algorithms. Bikolabs carried out an image recognition experiment in which sexism was exposed as one of the biases most present in AI. In the experiment carried out, the researchers detected how many of the discriminatory stereotypes present in society were carried over into AI, because the data inherited was biased, in general.

Another clear example was presented by Virginia Eubanks, a professor at the University at Albany. In her book Automating inequality she showed how many US states use biased algorithms when granting public aid. The teaching of AI processes is based simply on public data, and this represents a huge source of inequality as, in the US, those who resort to the public system are those who cannot afford to pay for private benefits. This is why the algorithm is already based on a bias in terms of the social classes and resources of those who request aid.

LIFE BEYOND THE FIRST ORDER

Finn proved that there is life beyond the established “norm”, beyond the limiting guidelines that are set, too often, according to AI standards. He taught us that someone who was part of the First Order was also capable of finding the light of the Force.

Thus, in the face of the mobilisation of the dark side, we must be able to see how unfair algorithms are towards certain social sectors. This should make us reflect on how people can be “classified for life” simply because of a piece of information that algorithms interpret in a discriminatory way; algorithms that are responsible for deciding on such important aspects as the custody of someone’s children, access to public aid, and even the suitability of a person for a job.

This learning must be based on patterns that go beyond our biased normalcy and on data that is unbiased, non-discriminatory, and that does not single out parts of society. We must raise awareness in ourselves to raise awareness in others – in relation to the technology itself and those who create it.

We must learn to see the importance of having machines that work in an innovative way, one that is inclusive and proven to align with the people’s common reality. And it’s precisely in people where this light lies. As mentioned in an episode of the famous police series Castle, when there are important life aspects at stake, “We need a person who sees roses. We need the human... factor”. It’s people who have the ability to create patterns, data, intelligence, and algorithms based on ethics, equality, and morals. They’re the ones who must understand that a piece of data cannot shape an entire life, that a single trait cannot limit people simply because it’s interpreted in a close-minded way.

Life beyond the First Order will be achieved by having a comprehensive outlook, creating teams that see beyond technology; that can see roses, that are based on morals, ethics, and pluralism. We need teams that stand out for their respect for diversity, as well as for their human and social outlook.

The light of technology is in people, not only because of what we teach machines, but also because of how we use them. It’s not technology that divides us, just as it’s not the Force that divides the Galaxy. What really provides light or darkness are people and how they use their power, putting technology at the service of everyone, or building barriers between individuals. The dark or light side of the Force lies in our awareness and our intentions. Therefore, it’s in our power to make technology progress and not go backwards in time. As the great Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn said: “Always remember. Your focus determines your reality”.