August 18th 2023.
Calvin D. Lawrence is a Distinguished Engineer with 25 years of experience at IBM and a graduate from Clark Atlanta University. He recently authored a book, Hidden in White Sight: How Artificial Intelligence Empowers and Deepens Systemic Racism, where he reveals the startling evidence of the technology used by policing and judicial systems that contain in-built biases stemming from human prejudices and systemic or institutional preferences.
Lawrence's research attests that there are steps that AI developers and technologists can do to redress the balance, yet a growing mountain of evidence suggests that the AI used by these organizations can entrench systemic racism. This can negatively impact Black and ethnic minority groups when applying for a mortgage or seeking healthcare, according to an industry expert.
The book explores the remarkable breadth of AI use in the United States, Asia, and Europe, from healthcare services, policy, advertising, banking, education, and applying for and getting loans. The sobering reality is that AI outcomes can restrict those most in need of these services.
“Artificial Intelligence was meant to be the great social equalizer that helps promote fairness by removing human bias,” Lawrence writes. “But in fact, I have found in my research and in my own life that this is far from the case.”
Lawrence has been designing and developing software for the last thirty years, giving him the expertise and experience to advise readers on what they can do to fight against the bias in AI and how developers and technologists can build fairer systems. His recommendations include rigorous quality testing of AI systems, full transparency of datasets, viable opt-outs, and in-built ‘right to be forgotten’. He also advocates for why people should be able to easily check what data is held against their names and be given clear access to recourse if the data is inaccurate.
“This is not a problem that just affects one group of people, this is a societal issue,” Lawrence writes. “It is about who we want to be as a society and whether we want to be in control of technology, or whether we want it to control us. I would urge anyone who has a seat at the table, whether you’re a CEO or tech developer or somebody who uses AI in your daily life, to be intentional with how you use this powerful tool.”
If you are interested in learning more, Hidden in White Sight is available to purchase online at HiddeninWhiteSight.com. With his expertise and experience in the field, Calvin D. Lawrence reveals the startling evidence of how AI is used in the world today and how it can entrench systemic racism. He encourages readers to consider how they can use AI to promote fairness and remove human bias.
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