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Artificial Intelligence Foundations: Why Might AI Be Biased? Understanding the Root Causes of AI Bias

Discover why AI might be biased, focusing on cognitive biases and incomplete datasets. Learn how these factors influence AI systems to ensure fair and accurate outcomes.

Question

Why might AI be biased?

A. The AI is not supported by enough data storage resources.
B. The AI is affected by cognitive bias or trained on an incomplete dataset.
C. The AI is being implemented to fulfill the wrong business applications.
D. The AI is not supported by enough computing resources.

Answer

B. The AI is affected by cognitive bias or trained on an incomplete dataset.

Explanation

AI bias occurs when artificial intelligence systems produce outputs that are skewed, unfair, or discriminatory. This bias primarily stems from two key factors:

Cognitive Bias

Cognitive biases are unconscious errors in human thinking that influence judgments and decisions. These biases can inadvertently seep into AI systems through the developers and designers who create them. For instance:

  • Developers may unintentionally introduce their own biases into the algorithms.
  • Confirmation bias may lead developers to favor data that aligns with pre-existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory data.

Incomplete or Unrepresentative Datasets

Training data plays a critical role in shaping an AI system’s behavior. If the dataset used for training:

  • Is incomplete or lacks diversity, it can fail to represent the broader population.
  • Reflects historical inequalities or stereotypes, the AI will learn and perpetuate these biases in its predictions or decisions.
  • Includes over-represented or under-represented groups, it can lead to sample bias, where the AI performs poorly for certain demographics.

Examples of Bias in AI

  • Historical Bias: If an AI hiring tool is trained on past hiring data that favored male candidates, it may continue to prefer male applicants.
  • Sample Bias: A facial recognition system trained primarily on lighter-skinned individuals may struggle to accurately identify people with darker skin tones.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A (Data Storage Resources): Insufficient data storage does not inherently cause bias; it affects system performance rather than fairness.

Option C (Wrong Business Applications): While misaligned business goals can lead to inefficiencies, they are not a direct cause of bias in AI systems.

Option D (Computing Resources): Limited computing power impacts processing speed and scalability but does not directly introduce bias into the system.

By addressing cognitive biases during development and ensuring datasets are complete and representative, organizations can reduce the risk of biased AI outputs and promote fairness in decision-making processes.

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