The US Federal Trade Commission cautioned firms to be careful when using artificial intelligence so that it does not discriminate against individuals.
“If a data set is missing information from particular populations, using that data to build an AI model may yield results that are unfair or inequitable to legally protected groups,” according to the FTC.
In addition to starting with the right foundation, companies must watch for discriminatory outcomes with AI and companies should embrace transparency and independence to allow for outside inspection.
Also, if you have an AI product, don’t exaggerate.
“In a rush to embrace new technology, be careful not to overpromise what your algorithm can deliver,” according to the FTC. “For example, let’s say an AI developer tells clients that its product will provide ‘100% unbiased hiring decisions,’ but the algorithm was built with data that lacked racial or gender diversity. The result may be deception, discrimination – and an FTC law enforcement action.”
Workers need help with tech
More than a third of workers need help with tech but almost 40% are embarrassed to admit it, according to online assessment provider Questionmark.
It also found that a one-size-fits-all to tech skills training may not work given some workers struggle more than others. Also, some employees overestimate their ability while others underestimate their ability — older workers might assume they are less capable than their younger counterparts despite evidence showing this is often not the case.
“The future success of a business will directly correlate with its ability to make the most of technology,” Questionmark CEO Lars Pedersen said. “Employers must ensure that their staff understand how to use the latest developments.”
NY Times tech workers vote to unionize
A majority of more than 650 tech workers at The New York Times have voted to form a union and are seeking voluntary recognition from the company, according to The News Guild of New York Local 31003.
They join more than 1,300 editorial and business staff at the newspaper that are already union members.
The Times Tech Guild covers engineers, product managers, project managers, designers, quality assurance staffers and data scientists.
“By coming together as a union, we’re proving that tech workers, too, can stand in solidarity with each other and create an environment where all of us have the opportunity to thrive,” said Angie Kim, an associate software engineer.
Efforts have been underway to unionize tech workers, and the Alphabet Workers Union at Google recently formed with the aim of representing both directly hired and contingent workers.
