Revolutionizing Online Safety: University of Michigan-Flint Professor Wins $567,968 Grant for Consent Technology
University of Michigan-Flint professor Douglas Zytko has recently been awarded a $567,968 grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop technology that promotes safe online interactions. This technology, known as “consent technology,” aims to prevent sexual harm that may occur during face-to-face interactions between individuals who have met online.
Zytko is concerned about the prevalence of sexual violence that occurs without conscious intent and believes that many cases involve misinterpreting signals received online before in-person meetings. He wants to create a visual guide for individuals to reduce misunderstandings and maintain consent during interactions, using Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the experience.
The grant will help protect young people and other vulnerable populations who are at risk of exploitation on social media and other online platforms. Zytko envisions AI companions that can detect non-consensual behavior based on biometric signals and convey that information to the other person through augmented reality glasses.
The NSF’s Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program supports Zytko’s research and grant, aiming to empower early-career faculty members to become leaders and innovators in education and research. Congressman Dan Kildee endorsed the grant on June 17, 2024.
