[Perspective] An AI stereotype catcher
Thursday, April 13, 2017 - 13:31
in Mathematics & Economics
Those who converse regularly with their smartphones know that the language skills of computing devices have emerged from a lengthy childhood. On page 183 of this issue, Caliskan et al. unveil a new language achievement of artificial intelligence (AI) (1). In large bodies of English-language text, they decipher content corresponding to human attitudes (likes and dislikes) and stereotypes. In addition to revealing a new comprehension skill for machines, the work raises the specter that this machine ability may become an instrument of unintended discrimination based on gender, race, age, or ethnicity. Author: Anthony G. Greenwald