In an attempt to be more diverse and inclusive, Google released the Monk Skin Tone Scale. The technology is vital for developing Google’s new AI systems. Here is everything you need to know.
What is the Monk skin tone scale?
Firstly, a skin tone scale is a system for representing the wide range of skin colors seen among people from various ethnicities. Unlike the present outdated scales that have an inherent bias towards paler skin tones, this has 10 different levels. named after Harvard University professor Dr. Ellis Monk. This will help in improving products such as photos and search results. The Fitzpatrick scale is one of the most popular ones, put together in 1975, it was made for classifying responses of various skin types under ultraviolet light. Following this, it was divided into six types.
Nowadays, technology firms use this for categorizing people in images and facial recognition system software work. Additionally, this also helps in the working of heart sensors used in smartwatches. However, since four of the six categories are lighter, people believe the scale is not diverse. “If you’re saying, I tested my model for fairness to make sure it works well for darker skin tones, but you’re using a scale that doesn’t represent most people with those skin tones, you don’t know how well it actually works,” says Google AI expert Xango Eyeé.
More on the applications of the new technology
At the beginning of May, Google announced the Monk scale. The company is claiming that this will represent a broader range of people. The technology is already at work in Google’s filter results. Google’s ‘real tone’ filter is primarily made for working better in searches for darker skin shades. Eventually, the Monk scale will be in use across all Google products. Moreover, this has applications in other areas if developers can choose and incorporate it. Additionally, since it is open-source, it can help in replacing the existing range. Meaning that other companies can use it. In recent years, several things such as plasters, tights, and crayons are becoming more inclusive. The change is following frustration experienced by people.
