This edition of instock celebrates the one constant in life – change. Things are changing at pocstock and all around us. We’re currently tracking major changes in everything from AI to DEI to what’s going on with the world of politics. What hasn’t changed is our commitment to ensuring that all people of color everywhere are seen, heard, and valued across all forms of media.
Dive in to explore Ethical AI, discover the latest stock images and creators, and some exciting updates!
What’s instock?
Photo contest
An OpEd about AI by Steve Jones
New partnerships
Featured collections & content
And lots more!
Photo Contest: Capture images of Caregivers for a chance to win $1,000
It’s been a minute since we had a photo contest, so we’re excited to launch this new photo contest for World Photography Day.
Quick overview:
We’re looking for photographers to create a collection of authentic and natural images of the people who care for the people we love, both inside and outside of traditional medical settings.
Submission Deadline: Tuesday, August 13th 11:59PM EST
Winner Announcement: World Photography Day, Monday, August 19th!
Prize: $1,000 USD
More info at https://www.pocstock.com/contests
instock: Over 250,000 royalty-free images ready for your creative projects, blogs, books, websites, presentations, social media, and more!
Whether you need that one perfect image or hundreds of images each year, we have a plan for teams of all sizes, campaigns, and creative projects. Stop spending hours scrolling through site after site trying to find the right images. Let us know what you’re looking for, and we’ll do the searching for you!
Choose from a wide variety of hand-curated images that include everyone, save money with low-cost subscription plans, and enjoy full legal protection under our royalty-free licensing.
Sign up on pocstock.com
OpEd: We must not allow AI to amplify the biases in our society
If you have consumed any kind of media lately, then you’ve no doubt heard that the long-awaited and often-feared AI revolution has begun. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is actively being integrated into almost every tech platform we know, use, and love, and soon will be a part of many aspect of our lives.
AI has come a long way since its start in mid-1950’s but it’s still far from perfected. We hear the term AI so often, but what is it exactly?
Artificial intelligence, known as “AI”, is simply a term for computer programs that are developed to simulate human thinking. AI can be used to analyze large amounts of data in a fraction of the time as a human, and some can be trained to generate realistic images, videos, voices, music, and text.
I recently said in an interview with TechCrunch, “All AI platforms and tools should be trained from complete, racially inclusive, and culturally accurate data, or else we will [perpetuate] the bias issues that our larger society currently faces.” – Steve Jones
In order to do this, AI requires lots of data (ie text, labels, images, videos, sounds, etc.) when it’s model is being trained. The issue is, some of the major tech companies used publicly available information from across the internet for their AI models to learn from. What could possibly go wrong with that? How about everything!
For the past few years, we’ve seen AI and image recognition platforms get it wrong time and time again when it comes to people of color and women, whether it was Facebook’s AI categorizing Black people as primates, or police facial recognition tools misidentifying young Black people as criminals, or an Asian college student asking AI to make her headshot look more professional, and it made her look like a White person.
Exhibit A – the Facebook primate incident
Exhibit B – the Google gorilla incident
Exhibit C – The Asian college student incident
An Asian college student tried to use AI to create a professional LinkedIn photo. She asked the AI to make her headshot look more professional, and it made her look like this.
Notice the changes in eye shape and color, hair color and texture, skin tone and shape of face, and thinning of her lips.
Exhibit D – The international Barbie incident
“Last year, Buzzfeed published an article featuring AI-generated images of what “Barbie would look like in every country in the world.” People on Twitter have been pointing out the blatant racism and endless cultural inaccuracies seen on many of the “dolls.”
According to Represent Asian Project, “Buzzfeed published an article featuring AI-generated images of what Barbie would look like if she were from every country in the world. It quickly went viral for exactly the wrong reasons. Think, typical AI errors (Cuba and Italy both had three arms), weirdly Eurocentric beauty ideals (many Barbies were blonde, including the ones representing the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore) and a ton of problematic stereotypes (Lebanon’s Barbie is standing in front of a pile of rubble and South Sudan’s was originally shown holding a gun.”
Buzzfeed has since deleted the article due to the overwhelming backlash.
AI generating incorrect images is a big problem right now. We’re working on helping make AI models more ethical by supplying them with inclusive datasets.
The issues with Generative AI that we must address
Intellectual Property Rights: One of the most contentious issues is determining who owns the copyright to content generated by AI.
Privacy and Data Protection: AI systems often require vast amounts of data, raising concerns about user consent, data protection, and privacy.
Diversity: A lack of diverse data can result in models that fail to generalize well across different scenarios.
Bias: Training data may contain biases, leading to biased outputs from generative models.
Noise: Poor quality or noisy data can degrade the performance of AI models.
What scares me the most about AI
While incorrectly generated images is an important issue that pocstock is working to solve, it’s only the beginning. One day AI could be used in many other areas of our lives and could produce even more dangerous outcomes.
Sci-fi movies have long predicted that if AI became sentient, it would undoubtedly enslave, replace or wipe out humanity altogether. That also scares some of the top AI scientists, developers, and engineers. But what scares me most, it not AI wiping us out. It’s humans relying on AI to replace human intelligence and relying on historical data that is incorrect or incomplete data.
One day, AI may be used in the court system to help judges and juries determine if someone is guilty or innocent of a crime, and recommend sentencing based on other case files. Based on the data from the “War on Drugs” and “mass incarceration” of Black and Brown people, AI could conclude that people of color are inherently more violent than other races and continue the cycle.
It may become commonplace for AI to be used by doctors to evaluate and determine treatment plans for life altering health conditions for people of color. Historical data would show that the US healthcare system has not treated Black women the same levels as other women especially with pain management, chronic diseases, and maternal health.
Because of history of racism in these systems, the data would absolutely, undoubtedly, and predictably produce biased results that would negatively impact people of color.
The good news is that AI is still in its nascent stages and we still have time to fix these issues before they become unfixable. If you’re developing an AI product, avert disastrous results by diversifying your team from the start, and start working with engineers, consultants, and companies that are working to develop ethical and inclusive AI data solutions.
Support companies like pocstock, and many others like John Pasmore (Latimer AI), Yinka I. (CDIAL.AI), Tamar Huggins (Spark Plug), Timnit Gebru, The Good AI, Dr. Joy Buolamwini (the Algorithmic Justice League initiative), Yeshimabeit Milner and Erin R. (ChatBlackGPT) for leading the way in developing more inclusive AI platforms and pathways.
Thoughts from Steve Jones, AI Enthusiast
instock: New illustrations that show us as we are!
If you think finding photos of people of color is tough, imagine finding illustrations of Black and Brown people and the many intersections we live in.
Visit https://www.pocstock.com/search/illustrations to find them easier.
Steve Jones has been elected to the Executive Board of DMLA
We’re excited to share that our CEO Steve Jones has been elected to the executive board of Digital Media Licensing Association – DMLA, a 70 year old organization that develops business standards and best practices for the stock media production, distribution and licensing industry.
We will be working with DMLA and its board members to advocate for legal and ethical AI standards and best practices.
The Digital Media Licensing Association (DMLA) is thrilled to announce the appointment of our new Board of Directors. We are particularly excited to welcome Steve Jones, Founder and CEO of pocstock. Steve brings extensive experience to the organization, having come from the advertising industry and currently driving change in media licensing by focusing on content that reflects the world. His wealth of knowledge and expertise will be instrumental in supporting our mission to protect copyright and create standards for best practices in our industry. This appointment is especially significant as the industry adapts to the rapid acceptance of AI and the need to develop ethical standards that protect the rights of creators. Steve’s insights will be crucial in navigating these changes and ensuring the continued integrity and innovation in media production, distribution, and licensing.
By Leslie Hughes, DMLA’s Immediate Past President & Founder of iSPY Technologies
Congrats to all of the elected board members!
Vice President – Candice Murray, Shutterstock
Treasurer – Jonathan Wells, SIPA USA
Secretary – Thomas Smith, Gado Images
Officer-at-Large – Josiane Faubert, Picha Stock
Officer-at-Large – Mark Milstein, vAIsual
Officer-at-Large – Marine Bassy, Envato
Officer-at-Large – Steve Jones, pocstock
“As the newly elected President of the Digital Media Licensing Association (DMLA), I am excited to welcome Steve Jones to our executive board. pocstock’s leadership and dedication to representing diverse communities are invaluable assets to our organization. Their commitment to creating authentic and inclusive content aligns perfectly with DMLA’s mission to advocate for the rights of all creators. Having pocstock involved brings a crucial perspective that will help us drive meaningful change and ensure that all voices are seen and heard in the digital media landscape.”
Joe Naylor, President of DMLA and Founder, President & CEO of ImageRights International
Join DMLA’s annual Int’l Digital Media Licensing Conference from October 20-22, 2024 aboard the iconic Intrepid Museum in NYC – https://lnkd.in/eQ23Js6A
We can help you produce almost anything, almost anywhere in the world!
Whether you’re at a major corporation, ad agency needing authentic brand images, an event producer capturing live memories, or seeking professional headshots for your team, we have over 900 creators worldwide that can create almost anything, almost anywhere!
Share your project details with us: https://www.pocstock.com/production
pocstock partners with Transform The Hustle
Transform The Hustle, in collaboration with pocstock and Anansi Creative Studio, recently hosted a pioneering event: the Storytellers Portrait Series Black Creatives Exhibition. This multifaceted project was designed to celebrate the narratives of Black creatives, both behind and in front of the camera lens, a specialty of ours here at pocstock.
Central to the exhibition was the launch of BLCK@Work, a innovative digital art exhibit created in partnership with pocstock. This initiative seeks to redefine the portrayal of Black professionals in stock imagery, aiming for more authentic and culturally rich representations. By doing so, it not only empowers creators to tell their own stories but also enables brands to communicate narratives in a more inclusive and meaningful manner.
“BLCK@Work was born from a vision to transform the imagery we see in the world. Back in 2021, when we first started our business, we struggled to find stock images that truly represented us, our brand, our culture, and our community. In true “Transform the Hustle” fashion, we held onto this dream and pitched it at every opportunity. While brands loved the idea, there had been a significant divestment in Black and Brown spaces, making it challenging to secure funding.
Then we connected with pocstock, an organization already working to change the stock marketplace narrative by focusing on diversity. Our vision became a reality, showcasing our community by bringing them from behind the camera, desk, or wherever they work to highlight their contributions. It’s not simply about seeing ourselves; it’s about telling the whole story from the lens of those who live it.”
– Candice G. & Hilda Adeniji, Co-Founder of Transform the Hustle
The event was not just a showcase, but a platform for dialogue and empowerment. This initiative marks a significant step towards amplifying diverse voices and stories, ensuring they are seen and heard in the broader cultural landscape.
instock: Black@Work photo collection
Introducing BLCK@Work, the first collection between pocstock and Transform The Hustle created to showcase the multifaceted lives of Black Creatives.
instock: Yes, we camp! photo collection
See how our collection, Yes, We Camp, flips the script on who’s out there enjoying nature. Hint: it’s us!
instock: Summertime photo collection
Our Collection, Summertime, shows us how different summer can look for each of us.
We’re building a new photo studio for our creative community in Newark
We’re changing locations! This fall we’re moving to 550 Broad Street in Newark, NJ. We’re excited to move into our new office and photo studio!
With our partnership with Audible and the work of Newark Alliance and Fidelco Realty Group, we’re expanding our physical space and doubling down on our commitment to build and grow in the City of Newark. We’re planning to open up our doors to members of our creator community, who are welcome to stop by anytime to shoot their shot.
Our team is looking forward to working on and in our own space, rolling out internship and community programs, partnerships and activations, and of course being Downtown Newark is always a vibe!
instock: 4K video footage
For years, simple, everyday images of people of color have been difficult to find—until we changed that. Get access to stock videos for less with our monthly subscriptions!
Explore now at https://lnkd.in/eraWBYm3
Say my name, say my name 🎶
We’ve been in business for 4 years, and our loyal supporters still misspell and mispronounce our name .. so for the record beloved, it’s pocstock 🙂
It’s one word, stylized in all lowercase … NOT POCStock, PocStock, POC Stock, P.O.C.Stock, or our least favorite pockstock
We totally love that you want to help us spread the word, but it’s important for our brand that you get the name right.
You don’t have to be a professional photographer or videographer, just someone with a really cool view of the world around you. We want you to be a part of our global community of creators.
Sign up here, whether you’re a pro or just doing it for fun.
pocstock partnered with IAMNATIV to celebrate creatives across Africa
pocstock is thrilled to have partnered with IAMNATIV and CAROLINE KAMYA to empower creative filmmakers and continue fostering communities and relationships across Africa. Participants crafted 60-second videos and 25 photographs depicting “Their Africa” and “The African Content Creator in 2050” for a chance to win $3,500 USD. The competition focused on “Family, Food, Flavor” with finalists mentored by industry experts and judged by esteemed panels.
Twelve filmmakers showcased their visions, and IAMNATIV founder Caroline Kamya announced the winners:
First prize: Esther Kavuoa Sammy from Uganda, awarded $1500 (Sponsor: Delft Imaging)
Second prize: Ugochukwu Victory Chimcheta from Nigeria, awarded $1000 (Sponsor: pocstock)
Third prize (joint): Adekunle Blue and Bern Castle from Nigeria, each awarded $500 (Sponsor: pocstock)
Explore the winning films here: (https://iamnativ.com/bespoke-productions/)
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If you've made it this far it means you love us & we love you too!
Growing a business focused on diversity & inclusion in today’s climate isn’t easy, but we’re happy to do it with your support! If you’ve made it this far down, you’re truly an ally and supporter, and for that, we sincerely thank you! Please like, share, and comment to help us amplify our message and make pocstock a household name!
Thank you from our amazing team: Ailyn Robles, Nicole Richardson, Michael C. Carter, MJ Sansait-Benito, Derrick Larane, Nathalie Heywood Smith (she/her/us), Nyla Christian Rozio, Chad Comiteau, Kevin Noel, Sheilla Tendero, Jennifer Comiteau, Armando “OUTthere” Diaz, Jade Andal, Glenda De Chavez, Afotey Annum , Fred Sly, Justin T. Shockley , and Dominic Saraum
And from our board of directors and advisors: Dr. dt ogilvie, Fred Toney, Matthew Field, Justin Thomas-Copeland, Richard Ortega, Tara J. Agen, Walter T Geer III, Free Marie Wright, Gerard Marrone, Karen Q. Pisciotta, Rahsan-Rahsan Lindsay, Adrienne Fox, and Perri Richman, MSOP