Robust regulatory frameworks needed to safeguard equity as AI systems proliferate

Emerging technologies must incentivize inclusive design and democratic innovation to ensure gender equity and diversity, according to the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, which released a policy report on the issue earlier this month.

“We need to create a robust regulatory framework to prevent harm and to ensure a beneficial development of AI systems and processes for all,” said Paola Ricaurte Quijiano of the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University and co-lead of the report.

“Transformative changes in AI development and policies will advance human rights,” she said.

The report asserts that artificial intelligence systems are not neutral. Rather, they reproduce the cultural values, language, and knowledge of the environment in which they were created.

This means that AI technologies will recreate, replicate or even amplify systemic inequalities based on gender, race, ethnicity, abilities, social class, and education, state the report’s authors.

Only strong, proactive policies can prevent this, according to the report authors, emphasizing that policymakers must ensure marginalized groups can actively participate in the governance of artificial intelligence. 

The report and its accompanying policy guide urge the implementation of transparency and accountability measures to reduce harm, as well as safeguards and accountability measures for AI developers and actors.

Its authors also point out the importance of implementing measures that ensure people, especially women and those belonging to racialized communities, have access to legal recourse against AI-driven discrimination and bias.

The findings echo a warning issued by the United Nations.

“Recent developments in generative artificial intelligence and the burgeoning application of artificial intelligence continue to raise serious human rights issues, including concerns about racial discrimination,” said Ashwini K.P., the organization’s special rapporteur on racism, xenophobia, and intolerance.

On Sept. 15, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said generative artificial intelligence offers previously unimagined opportunities to advance the enjoyment of human rights but warned that its negative societal impacts are already proliferating.

“In areas where the risk to human rights is particularly high, such as law enforcement, the only option is to pause until sufficient safeguards are introduced,” Türk said.

Report co-lead Benjamin Prud’homme, vice-president of policy, safety and global affairs at Mila, said it’s important to remember how AI ecosystems are developed has a real impact on human life.

“Through inclusive AI policies, we can enhance the quality, usability and effectiveness of AI systems,” he said.