Artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are constantly in the headlines, from advancements in access to ethical concerns about the impact on human labor and specific groups. For computer science experts like Christelle Scharff, PhD, the focus lies less on what AI can and will do and more on its current limitations, especially when it comes to incomplete datasets that illustrate bias in these AI systems.

Scharff has been at Pace for 22 years as a professor of computer science, and she’s currently associate dean of the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems. When she began exploring AI as a PhD student, she described her work as mostly “theoretical”, working on theorem proving problems. She was fascinated with studying how a computer can understand mathematical and logical concepts like deduction rules, equality, commutativity, and associativity. As AI technology developed, so did her interest in machine and deep learning and also in mitigating potential biases in AI. Scharff’s research has been focusing on Africa since 2009 when she received a grant to work on entrepreneurship and mobile app development in Senegal. Since that time, more opportunities to study AI in Africa arose and now Scharff and her students are continuing to explore how to ensure AI keeps up with growing global inclusivity.

As AI technology developed, so did her interest in machine and deep learning and also in mitigating potential biases in AI.

Two of her most recent projects with PhD students, Kaleemunsia and Krishna Bathula, center on African fashion. The first sought to expand the scope of a popular fashion dataset called Fashion MNIST. Datasets are the pillars of the AI movement, and safeguards are required to create and use datasets.

While Fashion MNIST is able to identify certain garments, fashion items that fall outside its very limited descriptions (which mostly fall under Western terminology and trends) are easily misclassified. “If you ask this dataset to recognize a sari, it’ll probably tell you it’s a dress,” Scharff says as an example. She explains that like with the sari, this dataset doesn’t know how to identify specific African fashion items. “Because I worked in Africa as a Fulbright Scholar, I focused this project on African fashion and involved graduate students from Senegal.” The plan was to create a dataset to address African fashion and recognize two popular Senegalese garments: boubou and taille mame. To put the importance of incorporating a wider, more global language into these AI models, Scharff explains, “If you were to go to the tailor and say, ‘I want a dress’ the tailor wouldn’t know where to start.”

"The other step in any project related to AI is that you need to ask the subject matter experts."

—Scharff

The other African fashion project Scharff and her team worked on is likely more tangible to those outside of the AI community. They worked to recreate a popular pattern in Africa called wax—a colorful, geometrical pattern that is often shined with wax.

The team collected a dataset of around 5000 free wax patterns and created new, satisfying patterns that are AI-generated. From there, the team printed select patterns and partnered with local artisans in Senegal to create fashion items including bags. The dataset was built to generate a variety of patterns. To get a proper sample, one needs upwards of 10,000 different images, Scharff estimates. If a dataset had mostly blue patterns, the generative patterns would stick mostly to blue, or if there weren’t enough floral images, they would need to add those images to the dataset to get them. The very nature of exclusion changed what the AI could produce, demonstrating the need to expand these datasets to reflect the world as it is, not just what has been inputted thus far.

Her students are hard at work, building out that dataset and corresponding models to generate interesting wax patterns.

"My biggest concern is diversity biases. But I think right now the discussion is much more open, at least everybody is aware of the issue. So, then it's a question of having the policies, tools, processes, practices to make it completely happen."

—Scharff

And for those worried about the AI takeover of jobs? “The other step in any project related to AI is that you need to ask the subject matter experts,” Scharff says. She explains that once these patterns were created, they need to be reviewed by fashion experts to understand what was working and what wasn’t. A computer can create a pattern, but it can’t (as of yet) also categorize it as what is fashionable for everyday wear, artistic, or what kind of aesthetic category it belongs to.

Scharff is excited for where AI is going, and how ubiquitous it’s becoming. Her greatest concerns are exactly what her work is doing, balancing datasets to be representative and diverse. “My biggest concern is diversity biases. But I think right now the discussion is much more open, at least everybody is aware of the issue. So, then it's a question of having the policies, tools, processes, practices to make it completely happen.”

What makes a book worth publishing? Whose stories are being told? Over the past several years, diversity in publishing has become a national conversation, and Dyson College of Arts and Sciences alumni working in the industry are invested in moving the field forward.

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“That’s what excites me most about this industry: the new directions it’s going in and all the opportunities to make sure young readers see themselves in what they’re reading,” said Alma Gomez Martinez ’22, ’23, who completed a combined degree in English and Publishing from Pace and now works as an editorial assistant for Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

While at Pace, Gomez Martinez double minored in women’s and gender studies and critical race and ethnicity studies, underscoring her deep-rooted beliefs in representation and social justice. “I like to think that as I’m working toward being an editor, I’ll eventually play a significant role in steering my little corner of publishing in a diverse direction,” she said.

While the conversation of diversity in publishing has picked up steam in the national media recently, Mae Martinez ’20, ’21, notes that it’s not a new concept within the industry. “I think it’s important to acknowledge that this conversation has been around for a while, and largely championed by BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, and People of Color] authors, publishing professionals, and of course, readers,” she said.

If it’s the same group of college-educated, primarily white American, heterosexual, cisgendered people choosing what books ‘deserve’ publication, or ‘deserve’ the limelight, clearly the bookstores and libraries would be uninviting—and frankly boring—places to be.

Martinez, who also completed the English and Publishing combined degree program, is currently working as an editorial assistant for Ballantine Bantam Dell at Penguin Random House. “My job largely impacts what content is published out in the world, and I think all editors have a personal responsibility here,” she said. “My editorial practices are built with an intersectional foundation, meaning that inclusivity, mindfulness, and intention are always at the forefront.”

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“For my own part, I try to help those looking to break into publishing by sharing my own journey as a woman of color navigating this world,” said Sabeen Aziz '16, English, a senior editorial assistant at Wiley. “And at my work, we are very particular about finding diverse reviewers and making sure a book has diverse contributors.”

Asante Simons ’17, English, an editor at Harper Collins, noted that increased diversity in the publishing industry is crucial for representation—but also that diversity helps make reading, put simply, more interesting. “If it’s the same group of college-educated, primarily white American, heterosexual, cisgendered people choosing what books ‘deserve’ publication, or ‘deserve’ the limelight, clearly the bookstores and libraries would be uninviting—and frankly boring—places to be.”

At Pace, students enrolled in both the English and Publishing programs dive deep into themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their coursework and beyond. In the English program, students explore whose voices have been amplified throughout the history of literature and whose stories have mostly gone untold.

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Associate Professor of English Sarah Blackwood, PhD, chair of the English department, noted in articles for The New York Review of Books, Inside Higher Ed, and The Chronicle of Higher Education that, despite a systemic divestment in the humanities nationwide, enrollment in Pace’s English program continues to grow because of the department’s commitment to keeping students engaged—often through experiential lessons devoted to challenging traditional ways of thinking.

“Studying English teaches you how to critically analyze concepts and create persuasive arguments—skills useful in any position,” said Aziz, who noted that her English professors at Pace, who were passionate and engaging, challenged her to be a better thinker and writer.

In the publishing program, DEI is purposefully woven throughout the curriculum, including in courses such as Book Design and Production, taught by Adjunct Professor Peggy Samedi, senior production manager at Penguin Random House. She said, “DEI is not only for departments with editorial functions. A representative workforce that mirrors the needs and values of our changing customer base is essential for all parts of our industry. Non-editorial colleagues are sometimes the book's first readers and can become their biggest advocates.”

Adjunct Professor James Perry, who teaches the Financial Aspects of Publishing graduate course and works as vice president and director of finance at Random House Children’s Books Inc., added, “One of the goals of DEI is for everyone to have a seat at the decision-making table. An important part of being at the table is understanding the economics of the publishing world. The more informed we are on financial aspects, the better chance we have of making sound analytical choices that are both profitable and equitable for all. In the Financial Aspects of Publishing course, the students have resoundingly and organically achieved this in both theory and reality.”

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Through courses like Samedi’s and Perry’s, the professors in the MS in Publishing program ensure that students are well prepared for careers in a changing industry.

“We incorporate DEI in everything we do, ensuring that diverse books and authors are included in any discussions about the industry,” said Manuela Soares, MFA, director of the MS in Publishing program. “Our guest speakers and faculty are drawn from diverse publishing professionals, so all of our students can see themselves in those role models.”

In response to the 2022 Economic Impact Survey (PDF) on the publishing industry in New York City, the first survey of its kind, Soares emphasized Pace’s unique role in connecting future publishing professionals to the industry in the city. The survey underlined progress the industry has made regarding diversity, while underscoring areas for continued improvement and offering suggestions for actionable steps within the field. In alignment with the recommendations, Soares highlighted Pace’s commitment to educating publishing students on diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and on making quality education accessible to all.

Aziz applauded the notion that these important conversations are continuing to happen in the industry, but noted that “if you look at the current data, there is still a long way to go.”

Martinez added that it’s not just those working in the publishing industry who can help push the movement forward: “If anyone is interested in getting involved, a good starting point is to read widely from authors who have experiences that are not your own.”

Eden Alcufrom

Class of 2024

Currently Studying: MBA in General Business

Current Internship: Developmental and Production Intern for Marisa Vitali, Emergent Pictures

Pronouns: She/Her

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When Eden Alcufrom first stepped into the Lubin School of Business, she brought a unique set of skills from the film industry with her but was ready to master a new industry—business. Upon graduating in 2024, Eden will take on the film world with her passion for producing, a business degree from Lubin, and experience in both industries, all of which will set her apart.

How has the Lubin School of Business helped you prepare for your current internship?

I was able to gain confidence in my work thanks to group projects and encouragement from my professors, which has and will help me be successful in my current and future professional experiences and internships. I would specifically like to thank Professor Chris Ramos for proactively helping me in my internship search. He went through my resume and contacted people in his network who he thought would be a match with my skills and knowledge.

What attracted you to this internship?

After completing my undergraduate degree in film studies with a minor in entrepreneurship at The New School, I became even more passionate about film and the many different steps it takes to develop and produce a film. Additionally, upon graduating from the Lubin School of Business with my MBA, I will pursue a career in film production. The knowledge that I am accumulating during this internship will enable me to understand the business aspect of film production and how it can affect or benefit the creative aspect of a project. Becoming a film producer is my ultimate career goal, so having direct contact and access to someone currently in that role allows me to obtain real knowledge on this position.

Describe what a typical day looks like as an intern with Marisa Vitali at Emergent Pictures.

A typical day with producer Marisa Vitali and Emergent Pictures includes going through a collaborative board and completing the tasks that are required of me for that week. Every Monday, Marisa and I meet to go over the status of my tasks, any questions about what we have worked on together, and the different strategies that are required for specific aspects of the projects that we are working on together.

What has been the highlight or most enjoyable aspect of your internship so far?

While there have been many highlights during this experience so far, I am most enjoying having an ongoing dialogue with Marisa about my career goals and how she can best cater this internship to me to help me gain as much knowledge about this field and position as possible.

How has this experience shaped or impacted your career goals?

This experience has made me even more interested in this field. I cannot wait to start working on my own projects where I will be able to handle production.

How will this experience impact your next semester at Lubin?

This experience allows me to fully grasp the area of film I would like to work in after graduating in May 2024. Next semester, I will be taking an arts and entertainment management course that will reinforce the knowledge that I have gained during this internship and will prepare me for my job search.

Regardless of the industry you are looking to pursue an internship in, make sure to take advantage of every opportunity that arises... Having experience across many industries will help you better understand what interests you and what doesn't.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students who would like to pursue an internship in the future?

Regardless of the industry you are looking to pursue an internship in, make sure to take advantage of every opportunity that arises. This will help you form personal communication skills while also allowing you to develop an understanding of how to navigate your upcoming professional life. Having experience across many industries will help you better understand what interests you and what doesn't.

Connect with Eden:

• Connect with Eden Alcufrom on LinkedIn
• Follow Eden Alcufrom on Instagram