As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into workplace processes, it's crucial that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) professionals take an active role in ensuring these technologies are used responsibly and ethically.
AI has the potential to drive significant progress in DEI efforts, but only if it is implemented with the right safeguards and principles in place.
Based on insights from a conversation with Jo Stansfield, founder of Inclusioneering, here are the key principles DEI professionals should keep in mind when evaluating and deploying AI systems:
Transparency
Employees and candidates have a right to know when they are being evaluated by an AI system. Transparency about the use of AI is essential for building trust and accountability.
Explainability
The outcomes and decisions made by AI systems should be explainable in human terms. DEI professionals should be able to understand and communicate how the AI arrived at a particular result.
Accessibility
AI systems must be designed to be equally accessible for all users, including those with disabilities. Accessibility considerations should be baked into the development and deployment of these tools.
Privacy and Data Protection
The use of AI must uphold rigorous privacy standards and protect sensitive personal data. DEI leaders should scrutinize how AI systems handle and safeguard employee information.
Validity and Reliability
DEI professionals should critically assess whether AI systems are actually measuring what they claim to measure, and whether the results are accurate and consistent across diverse populations.
Ethical Supply Chain
The development and training of AI models should be examined for ethical considerations, including the working conditions of data labelers and the environmental impact of the technology.
By keeping these principles at the forefront, DEI leaders can help ensure that AI is leveraged as a tool to advance fairness, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, rather than inadvertently perpetuating or exacerbating biases. It's a responsibility that DEI professionals are uniquely positioned to take on, given their expertise in establishing accountability and governance for diversity outcomes.
Implementing responsible AI practices will require collaboration across functions, from procurement to IT to legal. But by taking a proactive, principles-based approach, DEI professionals can help organizations harness the power of AI while upholding their commitment to creating more equitable and inclusive workplaces.
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