The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday, April 28, edition that tech companies may face renewed scrutiny over their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in artificial intelligence following recent investigations. An Associated Press dispatch to The Globe reports that the Republican led House judiciary committee has issued subpoenas to Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft and OpenAI and others, targeting past initiatives aimed at reducing algorithmic discrimination. Meanwhile, the U.S. Commerce Department is now emphasizing the need to reduce ideological bias to promote economic competitiveness. The latest shift has raised concerns among experts in the field, including Harvard University sociologist Ellis Monk, who several years ago was approached by Google to help make its AI products more inclusive. Concerns have arisen among experts, including Mr. Monk.
Google implemented a colour scale developed by Mr. Monk to enhance its AI image tools in representing diverse skin tones, moving away from an outdated standard meant for white dermatology patients. "Consumers definitely had a huge positive response to the changes," he notes, but he now questions whether these efforts will persist.
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