Restoring The Gender Balance In AI
In this opinion piece, Karolyn Gainfort, principal consultant at KJR talks about the dangers of bias in AI, and how to restore the gender balance.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that is pervading everyday lives and conversations. It’s a technology that’s earmarked to change the future of work, how data is interpreted and understood, and even how people interact with day to day objects (such as fridges and speakers). But many are concerned about the impact it will have on jobs, the ethics behind the technology and the biases it can learn.
One of those biases being against women.
In Australia, only 16 per cent of STEM graduates (Higher Education and VET) are women, and 27 per cent of the total STEM workforce is female. This has led to a severe lack of women engineering and constructing AI technology – which could result in an inherent and exclusionary gender bias in the AI judgement process.
If women aren’t encouraged, supported and given opportunities to follow a career path in AI, this incredible technology has the power to unintentionally re-wire how women are viewed and treated.
What are the dangers of bias in AI?
The issue of AI is two-fold. A lack of female input into the programming and development of AI systems means that this “new” technology is founded upon male bias that is intrinsically repeated in compounded algorithms. AI cannot transcend this gender bias because it has its foundations entrenched within it. Old metadata that has been used in the development phase as a primary source of statistical insight is also inherently embedded with racially and sexually biased information.
For example, last year Amazon had to scrap its hiring tool because it favoured male candidates over women. Amazon’s computer models were trained to vet applicants by observing patterns in CVs submitted to the company over a 10-year period. Most came from men, a reflection of male dominance across the tech industry.
The issue therefore lies in what the AI is being taught and by who. If somebody implements AI and uploads it with 20 years’ worth of data and uses that past information to make predictions, it is going to be biased, old and out of date. AI requires a diverse way of thinking – a diverse team will have someone that can look at what the data is, the impact of using it and whether there is a need to take away or add information.
What can employers do to help?
AI is a technology that affects a large proportion of the population – and many Australian businesses and governments are putting their trust in a technology that can make important decisions for them.
The capability to remove gender bias in AI may lie with those women specialising in the technology, but the opportunities to do so can only be provided by businesses who are recognising the issues to start with.
As an employer, it’s important to recognise that the future of successful AI is largely dependent on the contribution and involvement of women in the industry.
However, it isn’t just about filling a quota for women. The diversity of thinking needs to be across the board – looking at different areas of bias. It’s not just women who are at risk of bias.
What else can help restore the gender balance?
Australia has not yet made the changes required to achieve diversity in STEM, with the current under-representation and under-utilisation of women in the STEM workforce posing a threat to Australia’s prosperity.
As a starting point, the government has allocated AU$3.4 million to the cause of “improving STEM equity” in Australia. But there also needs to be more focus on understanding and incorporating non-bias AI to Australian businesses.
In addition to this, non for profit IntelliHQ, cloud platform Amazon Web Services (AWS) and KJR recently launched Australia’s only “Young Women Leaders in Artificial Intelligence (AI) program” – a program specifically designed to promote the representation of women in AI. The program incentivises their career development and brings forward social diversity and equality in AI.
These types of programs and initiatives are crucial in promoting the diverse opportunities and successes women can achieve in STEM. It’s also important to ensure female data scientists are more visible – showing young girls that data science is an accessible career choice for them.
AI is incredible when trained and used correctly
There’s a moral duty to ensure that women have access and support to technically-skilled jobs, not just in AI. As technology rapidly evolves, Australia can’t be in a position where a large majority of the population is ill-equipped to work with new technologies.
If Australian businesses do not ensure that those working in AI are more representative of the society in which they operate, it’s likely that there will continue to be unfair and unbalanced decisions made by AI. It is therefore a business’s responsibility to reach out, foster female confidence and sponsor programs that have culturally improved workplaces.
AI is a creative technology that will enable a lot of positive change in the world – but it needs to be trained and used correctly. Having a diverse range of talent working on the design and development of AI will help applications and algorithms have a more balanced view of society and offer up a wealth of information humans have never had available before.
Latest News
TV Ratings (18/04/2024): I’m A Celebrity Wins Prime Time And Key Demos
Aussie viewers can be a harsh lot at times. Only days after Ellie Cole bled her heart out, she has been sent packing.
Effie&co Launches New ConnectAsia Division To Help Aussie Brands Market To Asian Consumers Overseas & At Home
Not provided is advice on using chopsticks and not spilling ramen down your shirt.
Cashrewards Sets Out Stall For New CMO
Thinking of applying for the Cashrewards CMO gig? Here are some insider tips that, yes, are tantamount to cheating.
‘I Ask For The TV Industry To Stand Up And Defend Itself’ – Seven Boss James Warburton Steps Down
The Seven supremo heads for the exits after five years. Here's hoping the Spotlight team organised the farewell bash.
Poh! Jamie! Adriano! Paramount ANZ reveals its tasty plans for this year’s MasterChef
It's your fan's guide to this year's MasterChef! Although no tips on how to pronounce crudités or use a un fait-tout.
Dentsu’s iProspect Partners With MOOD Tea Ahead Of May Campaign Launch
We love a Mood Tea here at B&T. Although we do store old screws and nails in the International Roast caterer's tin.
Opinion: When Culture Starts Eating Itself: Navigating The Age Of Self-eating Nostalgia
Born boss David Coupland asks is adland going through a nostalgia period? But please, no repeats of Best Of Red Faces.
Who’s Going To Cannes?! The TikTok Young Lions Winners!
It's Aussie adland's next gen! They're off to Cannes with high hopes of bringing back a Lion & a foot-long Toblerone.
Adobe Launches Express Mobile App With Firefly AI
Want to be the coolest kid at Friday staff drinks but forgot your retro Nikes? This new Adobe wizardry may do the trick.
ThinkNewsBrands & IMAA Extend News Publishing Education In Brisbane
Industry duo takes its publishing roadshow to Brisbane. Was disappointed no male attendees were wearing walk socks.
B&T Chats With Wavemaker’s Provocative Pioneers On Their Cross-Pacific Sojourn
B&T TV heads to Wavemaker's Sydney digs to interview two staffers from its New York & LA digs. If that makes sense?
HoMie & Champion Launch “Give One. Get One” Campaign Supporting Youth Homelessness Via Town Square
Much like the fête's prized chutney wears a blue winners sash, so too should this top initiative from HoMie & Champion.
Thinkerbell Takes Us Back To Summer In Latest Work For XXXX
This beer ad wants to take you back to summer! Just minus any chance of a shark attack on your morning bus commute.
Cannes Lions Unveils 2024 Programme Featuring Queen Latifah, Jay Shetty & P&G’s Mark Pritchard
Are you one of the lucky ducks heading to Cannes in June? Check out the headliner acts you'll be queueing hours to see.
Scroll Media Recruits Costa Panagos From Twitch
Costa Panagos set to bring South American flair to the Scroll offices. Assuming that he is, indeed, South American.
Year13, Microsoft & KPMG Australia Launch AI Course For Gen Zs
Born around the 2000s? Need to amp up your AI creds? This guide's for you (although it's not really that age specific).
General Motors Snares Heath Walker From Scania
Do you rage about oversized American cars on our roads? You need to bail up Heath Walker at parties & industry events.
VML Launches New “Envoyage” Brand For Flight Centre
VML unveils new brand for travel operator Flight Centre. Alas, no sign of those paid actors pretending to be pilots.
Subaru Places Media Account Up For Review
Subaru puts media up for review, as adland journos get set for mandatory "agency drives off with..." headline.
TV Ratings (17/04/2024): Contestants Faced With Harsh Realities As Alone Australia Heats Up (Or Cools Down)
Alone still doing the business for SBS. Overly long train journeys not doing the business, but they persist anyway.
Ben Fordham Loses Number One Spot As Ray Hadley Celebrates 156th Ratings Win
The radio numbers are in! Discover who's off for a boozy lunch today & who's waiting for the dreaded HR death knock.
Gourmet Ice Cream Brand Connoisseur Launches New “Thrill Your Senses” Iteration, Via SICKDOGWOLFMAN
Rattling the old "truth in advertising" adage comes this ice-cream spot full of noticeably thin people.
Paramount’s Global Sales Boss: ‘Australia’s Converged Model Is A Blueprint For How I’d Like All Of Our Markets To Be’
Paramount's global sales boss gives local sales ops the thumbs up. Didn't weigh-in on the Lisa Wilkinson debacle.
TikTok Starts Testing Its Instagram Rival In Australia
In exciting news for piano playing cats & brattish pranks in shopping centres, TikTok unveils its Insta rival plans.
Man Wrongly Named By Seven As Bondi Killer Hires Lawyers
Struggling to save for a house deposit? Why not get wrongly identified by Sunrise!
Smartsheet Appoints Indie Agency Sandbox Media To Its Media Account
Can't stand your colleagues? Like to dob them in when they miss a deadline? These work management platforms are ideal.
Boss Not Letting You Come To Cannes In Cairns? Use This Business Case To Convince Them!
Stingy boss won't spring for a ticket to Cairns? Add this to your persuasive argument repertoire. Or grovel.
Alt/shift/ Brisbane Builds Portfolio With Ausbuild Creative, PR, Content & Social Account Win
The Brisbane comms/PR agency lands constructor Ausbuild. Also hoping for a discount on its new glass conservatory.
Young Guns Versus The Old Guard: Who Adds More Value to Our Industry?
Cannes In Cairns poking this hornet's nest in a lively debate. Just so long as the oldies can get up the stairs.
70% Of Aussies Don’t Have Green Power Plans ENGIE Says In Major Brand Campaign Via HERO
Are you the notorious "light leaver on-er" in your flatshare? Quell any infighting with this green energy news.
PrettyGood Launches Offering Brand & Media Solutions For Australasian SMEs
B&T applauds the charitable nature of this new agency. Although we'd hate to see it impact any Chrissie present sends.
A Blunt End: Dolphins Medicinal Cannabis Sponsorship At Risk
Yes, it's another NRL drug story. Yet, thankfully it doesn't involve coke in Kuta during the off-season.
Slew Of New Creative Hires At Leo Burnett Australia
Ahhh, all black! The outfit of choice for agency creatives, David Jones staff and everyone in Melbourne.
Under Armour Unveils Local “Live in UA” Campaign
American apparel brand set for yet another tilt at the Aussie market, as Nike declares "we'll see about that".
Pepsi Launches New Look, Refreshing Classic Fashion Staples Via Special PR
Are you always the bridesmaid, never the bride, as the old saying goes? How do you think Pepsi feels?
Pure Blonde Returns To A Place Purer Than Yours In New Campaign Via The Monkeys
B&T's always been a huge fan of the 'drink yourself thinner' diet plan. So big thanks to Pure blonde, vodka & tequila.