Youth as Investigators of Bias in Artificial Intelligence

• In Event: Teaching and Learning

Abstract

As students begin to understand the role artificial intelligence (AI) plays in their everyday lives, it is important that they become aware of the biases that are, and can be, embedded into these systems. The [anonymous] curriculum, designed to incorporate conversations about bias alongside technical lessons and career awareness activities, was piloted with 47 middle school students. We present five activities in our curriculum that centered on the topic of bias in AI systems. Results show that these activities shaped students’ overall perceptions of AI. Students were able to explain, using examples, how AI can be biased, what the societal implications of algorithmic bias are, and how to mitigate this bias in AI by offering constructive solutions.

Authors

• Daniella DiPaola, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Safinah Ali, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Jenna Hong, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Helen Zhang, Boston College

• Cynthia Lynn Breazeal, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Irene A. Lee, Massachusetts Institute of Technology