Gradient Has Begun Experimenting With Race Filters

Gradient, a photo-editing app perhaps best known for its hilariously off-the-rails Ethnicity Estimate feature, is trying its hand at race-based photo filters again by estimating what users would look like if they were various races.

You need to try this new feature in the gradient app, it’s crazy 😂 pic.twitter.com/KyogbJOw1P

— Brody Jenner (@BrodyJenner) September 22, 2020

The idea of a "race filter" was first experimented with by FaceApp in 2017 and was criticized for giving users access to digital blackface.

The feature, called "AI Face," is advertised by Gradient with the tagline "Find out how you would look like if you were born on a different continent!" Results have begun circulating on Twitter with little blowback at the moment.

Tried new filters in the Gradient app
Which one is better? 😂 pic.twitter.com/5SdXNZJk8S

— Scott Disick (@ScottDisick) September 22, 2020

It Has Returned pic.twitter.com/VMy0UjE1em

— TrueAnon Pod (@TrueAnonPod) September 22, 2020

pic.twitter.com/nUa0XI67Yj

— Liz Franczak (@liz_franczak) September 22, 2020

While the atmosphere around the feature is fairly tame for now, one can imagine public opinion could turn significantly more hostile if it gets popular. Under Scott Disick's post, which asked its followers, "Which one is better?", Twitter user @BeeBabs responded, "Are you asking which race is better Scottathy?"

Are you asking which race is better Scottathy

— Bolu Babalola (@BeeBabs) September 22, 2020

Buckle up.