
Session 15: Biases in AI
Presenters
Biases in AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, from healthcare to finance, education, and beyond. However, as AI systems become more embedded in everyday life, concerns about bias in these systems are also increasing. Bias in AI refers to systematic errors or unfair outcomes that disproportionately affect certain groups, often based on race, gender, age, or socioeconomic status.
These biases typically arise from the data AI is trained on. If the training data reflects historical inequalities or stereotypes, the AI can learn and perpetuate those same patterns. For instance, a hiring algorithm trained on past hiring decisions may favor male candidates if historical data shows a gender imbalance in previous hires.
Another source of bias lies in the design and development process. If developers lack diverse perspectives or fail to anticipate how their systems will be used across different populations, unintentional biases can slip through. Even well-intentioned algorithms can yield harmful results if not thoroughly tested and audited for fairness.
Addressing AI bias requires transparency, diverse development teams, robust data auditing, and continual monitoring of AI outputs. Governments, companies, and researchers must work together to establish standards and accountability mechanisms.
Ultimately, the goal is to build AI systems that are not only intelligent but also fair, ethical, and inclusive. Bias in AI isn’t just a technical issue—it’s a human one, demanding vigilance, empathy, and collaboration to ensure equitable outcomes for all.