Temel Kavramlar
Achieving fairness in AI systems requires bridging the gap between algorithmic fairness definitions and legal frameworks for anti-discrimination, by incorporating key considerations and best practices.
Özet
The paper examines algorithmic fairness from the perspective of anti-discrimination law, with the goal of identifying best practices and strategies for specifying and adopting fairness definitions and algorithms in real-world systems and use cases.
The authors first provide a brief introduction to current anti-discrimination law in the European Union and the United States, discussing the concepts of bias and fairness from legal and ethical viewpoints. They then present a set of algorithmic fairness definitions by example, aiming to communicate their objectives to non-technical audiences.
The authors introduce a set of core criteria that need to be considered when selecting a specific fairness definition for real-world use case applications. These criteria include:
- Equal treatment vs. equal outcome: Ensuring the fairness definition aligns with the legal framework's focus on either equal opportunities or equal outcomes.
- Handling of proxy variables and indirect discrimination: Addressing bias that may be expressed indirectly through variables correlated with sensitive attributes.
- Handling of intersectional/subgroup fairness: Considering fairness for subpopulations defined by multiple sensitive attributes.
- Handling of feedback loops: Mitigating the risk of self-reinforcing bias through continuous system deployment and learning.
- Robustness to manipulation: Ensuring fairness methods are not susceptible to intentional bias masking.
- Sampling requirements: Considering the impact of data availability and distribution on the accuracy of bias detection.
Finally, the authors discuss the key findings and the need for cross-sectorial collaboration between law, ethics, and algorithm design to bridge the gap and produce meaningful policies and best practices for fair AI systems.
İstatistikler
"The aim of non-discrimination law is to allow all individuals an equal and fair prospect to access opportunities available in a society."
"Indirect discrimination occurs when ostensibly neutral provisions or practices, universally applied, disproportionately disadvantage individuals with specific protected characteristics."
"Disparate treatment denotes the intentional differential treatment of individuals based on specific characteristics, while disparate impact represents unintentional discrimination that disparately affects a specified group."
Alıntılar
"Fairness is a concept that transcends cultural, societal, and individual boundaries. It's a fundamental principle deeply ingrained in human consciousness, reflecting our innate sense of justice and equity."
"Fairness in the context of artificial intelligence (AI) represents a multifaceted and evolving objective. Its core purpose is to establish AI systems that consistently deliver unbiased, equitable decisions while avoiding the perpetuation or exacerbation of societal inequalities."
"Achieving fairness in AI is far from straightforward. It necessitates a granular understanding of the multifaceted nature of fairness, acknowledging its dynamic and context-dependent characteristics."