Many people of East and Southeast Asian descent naturally have what are called “epicanthic folds” or “monolid eyes.” This just means that their eyes look a bit different to people from other parts of the world — and often, a bit narrower.

Usually, this isn’t a problem unless you’re racist and/or deeply stupid. Unfortunately, A.I. *is* racist and deeply stupid, and so, it’s causing issues.

For context, some cars in China and elsewhere now have monitoring to detect when a driver is sleepy and encourage them to stop driving. Why is this a problem? Because the technology keeps mistaking Chinese people’s narrow eyes for sleepiness and telling them to stop driving.

Drivers have reported endless beeps and warnings on long drives, with videos going viral of very normal Chinese people being told by their car that they look too tired to drive — and before you ask, simply opening their eyes more didn’t appear to help.

At least all the A.I. does there is annoy you. Over here, it’ll roll right over you!

@mustsharenews His car mistook alertness for drowsiness, all because of his eye shape. ️️#mustsharenews#sgfyp#china#ontheroad♬ original sound - MustShareNews