In recent years, the rise of artificial intelligence has given birth to generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, capable of making automated predictions based on vast datasets. However, experts caution that this technology’s increasing adoption might exacerbate racial bias and discriminatory practices.
According to Olga Akselrod, a senior staff attorney in the Racial Justice Program at the American Civil Liberties Union, these AI tools are trained on historical data, meaning their predictions can amplify existing discrimination in the contexts where they are used.
A 2020 study by Cambridge University confirmed that AI can lead to unequal opportunities for marginalized groups. Despite this, the use of AI continues to grow rapidly, with 35% of companies already leveraging AI and 42% exploring its future adoption, as reported by Tech Jury.
Predictive technologies powered by AI are now integrated into various facets of our daily lives, influencing significant decisions, such as hiring, loans, and even criminal justice. The immense scale and speed at which these predictive tools are employed pose significant threats to civil rights protections.
Darrell West and John Allen, in a report published by the Brookings Institution, highlight the potential for AI systems to facilitate redlining of mortgage applications, enable discrimination against specific individuals, and build rosters based on unfair criteria.
Interestingly, a Pew Research poll indicates that over 50% of Americans believe that employers using AI during the hiring process will reduce racial bias in workplaces and contribute to the fight against discrimination.
Broderick Turner, director of the technology, race, and prejudice lab at Harvard Business School, argues that AI itself is not inherently racist but emphasizes that it can be used in a discriminatory manner, depending on the data and rules it is trained on.
In response to these concerns, President Biden announced plans to collaborate with seven AI development companies to establish guidelines for creating a safe and trustworthy AI system. The President also called on Congress to pass AI legislation to manage the risks associated with this technology while promoting responsible innovation.
Despite these initiatives, experts, like Olga Akselrod, argue that the government must catch up with modern tools of discrimination. Regulatory legislation and enforcement are needed to protect civil rights and liberties from potential AI biases and abuses.
Reid Blackman, author of “Ethical Machines,” warns that AI learns from examples and can reflect biases and discriminatory attitudes present in its training data.
Mutale Nkonde, a technology policy expert running the nonprofit AI for the People, stresses that AI research and development are driven by individuals who may be blind to the impact of race and racism, leading to racial biases in AI systems.
To address these concerns, experts call for accountability, transparency, and diversity in AI development, as well as regulatory oversight. By making tech more inclusive and eliminating biased algorithms, we can prevent current racial inequities from becoming entrenched in our digital infrastructure, as suggested by Meredith Broussard, a data journalism professor at New York University.
Joy Buolamwini, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, reveals her research findings, which demonstrate significant gender and racial bias in AI systems developed by tech giants like IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon. She urges the need to correct these biases to ensure fairness and accuracy.
Ultimately, experts like Safiya Noble, a professor of gender studies and African American studies at UCLA, assert the importance of implementing robust human and civil rights frameworks to evaluate AI technologies. Preventing harmful AI tools from entering the marketplace and conducting recall efforts, if necessary, can help protect society from potential dangers.
In conclusion, as the AI revolution progresses, it is crucial to address racial bias and discrimination in AI tools through transparency, accountability, and regulatory measures. By doing so, we can harness the true potential of AI while safeguarding the rights and well-being of all individuals.
