Assembling Certainty: Expert Knowledges and Machine Learning in Open-Source

Assembling Certainty is an inquiry into the ethical and epistemic implications of using Machine Learning.

Assembling Certainty is an inquiry into the ethical and epistemic implications of using Machine Learning (ML) in ‘open source investigations’ into civilian casualty allegations in war zones. Combining backgrounds in software studies, digital sociology, and investigative practices, the project is led by Dr David Young (Digital Humanities, King’s College London) with Dr Josh Bowsher (Law, Politics & Sociology, University of Sussex) and the casualty recording watchdog Airwars.

Over the past decade, open source intelligence (OSINT) has become an important investigative framework for civilian casualty recorders. This typically involves a deliberative process of assembling large quantities of diverse (and potentially contradictory) text and image content posted on online platforms.

However, the pace of commentary and challenges of verifying content pertaining to a particular allegation means that using OSINT effectively is a growing challenge, with some organisations and newsrooms experimenting with ML, particularly computer vision tools, to collect, analyse, and visualise greater quantities of data.The project therefore asks what kinds of data, sources, and practices are valorised by researchers and investigators aiming to assemble 'more certain' accounts of military violence amidst the informational fog of war.

In this research seminar, we will set out the key contours of the project and explore some of our developing research on the use of computer vision tools in Open-Source Investigations.

Note: by participating in this event you agree to uphold the Sussex Digital Humanities Lab Code of Conduct.