Microsoft working on tool to detect biased AI

Microsoft is the latest tech company to try and tackle algorithmic bias — that is, artificial intelligence that was fed subpar data and came to mirror society’s own prejudices or unfair perspectives.

The company wants to create a tool that will detect and alert people to AI algorithms that may be treating them based on their race or gender, according to MIT Technology Review.

It’s great that Microsoft, which touts itself as a company that creates AI to bring people together, is joining the ranks of Google and Facebook to create some sort of tool to find improperly-trained AI.

Read Also: Uber bans testing of self-driving cars in Arizona

But Microsoft’s new algorithm to find biased algorithms can only find and flag existing problems.

That means programs that can lead to increased police prejudice, for example, will still be built and used, just maybe not for as long as they would have if undetected.

To truly create AI that is fair and benefits everyone, more care needs to be taken on the front end.

 

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