Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Critics accuse self-driving cars of 'racist and sexist' behaviour

Critics accuse self-driving cars of 'racist and sexist' behaviour

AN official body has warned that the new generation of self-driving cars will exhibit 'racist and sexist behaviour' as they may not recognise ‘non-white or non-male’ faces.

The Law Commission, the body responsible to form the legal framework for autonomous vehicles, has said that they may 'struggle to recognise dark-skinned faces in the dark' because facial recognition software may be less accurate at detecting 'non-white and non-male faces', reported The Sunday Times.


It added that those with disabilities are also at risk as the systems may not have been trained to deal with the full variety of wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

“When we consulted on these issues, several developers argued that it would be impossible to ensure that autonomous vehicles always treated everyone equally," stated a public consultation paper published before legislation expected in 2022.

According to the report, the major reason behind the 'behaviour' is that these systems are designed by young men who do not put themselves in others’ shoes and thus overlook the diverse needs of those affected by their work.

The Department for Transport recently issued bullish forecasts that the UK will be a leader of the driverless car revolution.

It predicts that by 2035 a quarter of new cars sold will either require no human interaction at all, defined as level 5 automation, or will be capable of handling most situations on their own, with the driver able to sleep but to remain on standby to take over if needed, defined as level 4 automation.

Many cars on the road now have level 2 automation, with lane-control assistance and remote-controlled parking.

“People are less prepared to accept risks if their distribution is seen as unfair. An overall reduction in risk may not be persuasive if the reduction is enjoyed by one group (such as car occupants) while the additional risks are experienced by another group (such as vulnerable road users)," the Law Commission consultation stated.

It added that though air bags save many lives, but the first generation ... posed risks to smaller passengers, such as women of small stature, the elderly, and children, because they were developed with adult males in mind.

The feminist Caroline Criado Perez, author of Invisible Women, has highlighted the fact that crash tests are largely conducted with male mannequins, based on the body weight of an average American male from the mid-1970s.

Women are 47 per cent more likely than a man to be seriously injured, and 17 per cent more likely to die in a comparable accident.

“The last thing we need is the next generation of Mondeo Man being a racist, misogynist self-driving automobile. These technological hurdles need to be overcome before drivers can take their hands off the wheel," Edmund King, AA president, told The Times.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission, observed that any advancement that puts certain groups of people at a disadvantage is not an advancement, but a setback for equality and human rights.

More For You

11th UK Gatka Championship

All winners received medals and trophies

UK Parliament

11th UK Gatka Championship ends with Welsh debut and £1,000 support for Gatka Akharas

Highlights:

  • The 11th UK National Gatka Championship was hosted near Cardiff, marking the first time in Wales.
  • Winners included Roop Kaur (girls), Navjot Singh (boys), and Gurdeep Singh (men’s).
  • Gatka Federation UK awarded £1,000 to each participating Akhara to support martial arts promotion.
  • Chief guests included MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation.

Gatka Championship marks Welsh debut

The 11th UK National Gatka Championship concluded on a high note near Cardiff, Wales, showcasing the traditional Sikh martial art with flair. Seven leading Gatka Akharas participated, thrilling spectators with their lightning-fast strikes, precision moves and elegant techniques.

Inauguration by global leaders

The tournament was inaugurated by Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation (WGF) and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI). He was joined by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP, President of Gatka Federation UK, alongside other dignitaries including Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakar, President of Wales Kabaddi Club, and community leaders from the Haveli Hotel Pontyclun.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vantara

The site, located in Gujarat, houses hundreds of elephants, as well as 50 bears, 160 tigers, 200 lions, 250 leopards, and 900 crocodiles. (Photo: Instagram/Vantara)

India court probe clears Ambani family’s animal centre

AN INDIAN Supreme Court-ordered investigation has cleared a large private animal facility run by the son of Asia’s richest man, rejecting allegations of wildlife violations.

Vantara, described as the “world’s biggest wild animal rescue centre,” is operated by Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer

Starmer, who has faced negative coverage since taking office in July 2024, defended the appointment process.

Reuters

Starmer: I would not have appointed Mandelson if aware of Epstein ties

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer said on Monday he would not have appointed Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington had he known the extent of his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

This was Starmer’s first public statement since dismissing Mandelson last week. The prime minister is facing questions over his judgement, including from Labour MPs, after initially standing by Mandelson before removing him from the post.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump

Trump said the suspect had been arrested earlier for 'terrible crimes,' including child sex abuse, grand theft auto and false imprisonment, but was released under the Biden administration because Cuba refused to take him back.

Getty Images

Trump says accused in Dallas motel beheading will face first-degree murder charge

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has described Chandra Mouli “Bob” Nagamallaiah, the Indian-origin motel manager killed in Dallas, as a “well-respected person” and said the accused will face a first-degree murder charge.

Nagamallaiah, 50, was killed last week at the Downtown Suites motel by co-worker Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, a 37-year-old undocumented Cuban immigrant with a criminal history.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer Mandelson

Starmer talks with Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador's residence on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Getty

Starmer under pressure from party MPs after Mandelson dismissal

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer is facing questions within the Labour party after the sacking of US ambassador Peter Mandelson.

Mandelson was removed last week after Bloomberg published emails showing messages of support he sent following Jeffrey Epstein’s conviction for sex offences. The dismissal comes just ahead of US president Donald Trump’s state visit.

Keep ReadingShow less