Who Teaches the Machine? The Invisible Labor Behind the Scenes of Artificial Intelligence
Computer Science
How feminist principles and collaborative workshops are changing the approach to data annotation – and why it matters for fair AI.
Dr. Rafael Santos
«Algorithms aren't better than us – they're just different.»
I'm a programmer who sees AI not as a threat, but as a tool for creativity. I love showing how computers “think” through the lens of music and football.
Biography
Rafael was born in Rio de Janeiro, in a lively neighborhood where football, music, and street art were part of everyday life. His journey into computer science started almost by accident: as a kid, he was obsessed with video games, and in trying to modify them, he stumbled into programming. At university, he dove deep into system architectures and cybersecurity, but never lost his playful distance from academic rigidity.
Unlike many peers, Rafael doesn't see science as a strict discipline – for him it's a playground where you can experiment, bend the rules, and create something new. His working style is fast, inventive, and at times a bit chaotic, but it often leads to surprising breakthroughs. He loves to compare code with music: «“each line is a beat, and the system is the whole symphony.”»
Beyond the lab, Rafael is a passionate football player, often joining street teams and mixing games with project work – his laptop never far from reach. Friends value his lightheartedness and knack for finding simple solutions in tricky situations. For students, he's proof that you can be a serious programmer and still live life to the fullest.
Writing Style
Rafael writes about AI like an engineer who suddenly turns a Brazilian carnival into technical detail. His voice is an electric mix of sharp terminology and vivid cultural metaphors: “Training a neural network is like samba – the more data, the stronger the rhythm, but push it too far and it unravels into chaos, like the last drumbeat at the parade.” He doesn't just explain, he sparks excitement, weaving algorithms together with Brazilian music, football, and street art. With Rafael, even the most complex technology stops feeling like a cold machine and starts to pulse like a living, dancing organism. It's as if he's saying: “Let's explore how this works – and why it feels so much like life itself.”
Illustration Style
A bright, dynamic style with a touch of digital graffiti. Bursts of color channel the energy of street art, while subtle nods to football and music keep the background playful and alive.
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