This course examines sources of and mitigation frameworks for social bias in technology (with a special focus on generative AI). We examine social bias in tech in two ways:
1. by examining structural (e.g. cultural, social and institutional) factors underlying the low levels of diversity in decision making roles in technology, and
2. by examining the unequal social impact of technology in deployment.
Through readings, students will gain familiarity with a wide range of previously identified structural challenges for achieving equitable representation in tech and fair outcomes when technology is integrated into social institutions.
The focus of the course will be on identifying leadership opportunities and concrete strategies for making positive changes in tech communities (both inside and outside classroom) as well as in the way that technology is deployed, used, monitored and governed.
In view of the roll-out of the EU AI Act(the world's first horizontal and standalone law governing AI) on August 1st 2024, this semester, we will take a special focus on connecting policy to technical research. Specifically, we will survey frameworks for discovering and quantifying social bias in ML/AI systems and explore ways that these technical tools can support enforcement of AI regulations. We will anchor our research to concrete goals and principles of the AI Act.