Diversity and inclusion have become increasingly relevant in the corporate world. More executive officers are being hired to improve workplace culture and provide safe spaces for underrepresented groups.
Companies are turning to diversity and inclusion technologies to help identify and solve their issues. According to a study by RedThread Research and Mercer, the D&I technology market is quickly expanding with a growing market size of $100 million.
The report noted that there are some dangers in using artificial intelligence in diversity and inclusion technologies because machine learning can amplify stereotypes, adversely impacting underrepresented and marginalized groups.
Human biases can unintentionally be embedded into algorithms causing discriminatory features in AI products and tools.
The report suggests that organizations be cognizant of some of the flaws in AI because they are programmed by humans with innate biases. Before purchasing diversity and inclusion technology, companies request algorithmic audits and risk assessments to see how the tools impact underrepresented groups.
Companies using artificial intelligence have come under fire over the past couple years after after it was revealed that some products discriminated against certain groups. Last year, Amazon nixed an automated recruitment tool that discriminated against women, according to Reuters.
The report also suggested that companies used AI results and data “directionally” and not depend on the technology to completely solve diversity and inclusion.
“Diversity and inclusion has long been a priority for many of our clients and other organizations,” Carole Jackson, co-author of the report and senior principal in Mercer’s Diversity & Inclusion consulting practice, said to CIO.com. “But it wasn’t always a top ‘business priority’ for CEOs. It was often considered ‘the right thing to do’ and with that came nominal budgets and superficial support from leaders.”
