What is a significant social harm tied to AI?

Discrimination is recognized as a significant social harm associated with artificial intelligence due to the ways AI systems can perpetuate and even exacerbate biases present in the data they are trained on. AI algorithms often rely on historical data, and if that data reflects societal inequalities or prejudices—such as those based on race, gender, or socio-economic status—then the AI can replicate these biases in its decision-making processes. This can lead to unfair treatment of individuals in various sectors, such as hiring, law enforcement, lending, and access to services.

Moreover, the opaque nature of many AI systems means that it can be difficult to identify and correct these biases, leading to a systemic issue that can disenfranchise entire groups of people. Addressing discrimination in AI is crucial to ensure fairness and equity in its deployment and to prevent further entrenchment of societal inequalities.