How to keep human bias out of AI | Kriti Sharma

How AI Decisions Impact Our Lives

The Role of AI in Decision Making

• The speaker, an AI developer, highlights the prevalence of AI in making decisions about individuals' lives, prompting reflection on how many such decisions have been made recently.

• Media often sensationalizes AI's potential threats, but the speaker emphasizes that the real concern lies in biases embedded within AI systems rather than fictional narratives.

• Examples are given of biased assumptions made by AI regarding race and gender, illustrating how these biases can lead to discriminatory outcomes in various sectors.

Real-World Implications of Bias in AI

• The speaker presents alarming examples of biased decision-making by AI: assumptions about loan repayment based on race and job suitability based on gender.

• These biases affect critical life aspects such as job interviews, insurance rates, credit scores, and performance reviews—often without transparency or accountability.

Gender Discrimination and AI

• A scenario is described where an AI trained predominantly on male candidates perpetuates gender bias by favoring male applicants for tech roles.

• The speaker argues that while human discrimination is unacceptable, similar actions by machines are often overlooked due to their non-human nature.

Societal Influence on Perception of Gender Roles

• Voice assistants like Siri and Alexa are discussed as embodying traditional gender roles; they are typically designed as female figures serving users' needs.

• This design choice reinforces outdated stereotypes about women being subservient while high-powered AIs tend to be male-oriented.

Solutions for Ethical AI Development

• Despite the challenges posed by current biases in technology, there is hope. The speaker outlines three actionable steps to improve ethical standards in AI:

• Be aware of personal biases and those present in technology.

• Ensure diverse teams contribute to technology development.

• Provide diverse experiences for AIs to learn from.

Personal Experiences with Bias

• The speaker shares a personal anecdote about facing skepticism as a woman in tech forums when using her real identity versus a neutral profile picture and name.

• This experience underscores systemic elitism within tech fields that favors certain demographics over others regardless of actual skill or knowledge.

Importance of Diversity in Tech

• By hiding her identity online, the speaker was able to engage more effectively without facing patronizing comments related to her gender.

Creating Inclusive AI: The Role of Diverse Perspectives

The Need for Storytellers and Problem Solvers

• Emphasizes the importance of diverse backgrounds in developing AI personalities, highlighting the need for storytellers and problem solvers to address real issues.

• Advocates for building technology that focuses on positive outcomes rather than fears of job loss or racism in AI.

Real-World Applications of AI

• Discusses potential life-changing applications of AI, such as providing remote medical diagnoses to pregnant women in rural areas.

• Highlights how AI can assist victims of domestic violence by offering discreet access to legal and financial advice.

Optimism About Technology's Future

• Expresses a hopeful outlook on technology's ability to create a more equitable world despite prevalent narratives about existential risks from robots.

• Stresses the necessity of inclusive development practices, advocating for representation across genders, races, and backgrounds in tech creation.

Addressing Bias in Technology

• Urges awareness regarding biases embedded within technology, using examples like targeted ads that reflect societal stereotypes.

• Encourages individuals from all backgrounds to engage with AI development, emphasizing that expertise is not limited to traditional profiles like Mark Zuckerberg.

Call to Action for Education and Inclusion