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TECNO’s New AI-Powered Camera Software Artificially Lightens Black Skin Tones

Billboards advertising TECNO's new skin lightening software. Image via Chihying.

A fascinating discussion is underway within China’s art community about whether new AI-powered software used in TECNO mobile phones is contributing to a form of colorism in Africa, by favoring lighter skin tones over darker complexions.

Taipei/Berlin-based filmmaker and visual artist journalist Chi Ying (致颖) was joined by wireless algorithm expert Zhang Tingting (张婷婷) for a lively discussion on the Times Museum podcast (the Times Museum is a privately-funded museum of avant-garde art located in Guangzhou).

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