When a hurricane approaches New Orleans, we know what to do. Whether evacuating, boarding windows, or stocking up on essential supplies, the public has experience dealing with these catastrophic threats. But what does the public do, particularly those in Black and impoverished communities, when the danger derives from something they can’t see, touch, or feel?
This is the challenge currently faced with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Even the creators of neural networks, the artificial intelligence systems that learn and adapt like the human brain, confess they don’t know if they can control their creations. It reminds us of Dr. Victor Frankenstein, whose creation ran amok. In the movie, once the monster comes to life and opens his eyes, Victor triumphantly shouts, “It’s alive!” Well, It’s time to turn on the sirens for the general population and let everyone know this creation called Al is Alive!
George Hinton, a British scientist known as “The Godfather of AI” warned about possible consequences in a 60 Minutes interview: “One of the ways in which these systems might escape control is by writing their own computer code to modify themselves. And that’s something we need to seriously worry about.” Hinton also addressed the AI impact on the workforce, saying, “Well, the risks are having a whole class of people who are unemployed and not valued much because what they— what they used to do is now done by machines.”
The World Economic Forum projects that 1.1 billion jobs will be radically transformed over the next decade. Experts have estimated anywhere from 20 to 50% of white-collar jobs could be at risk of being replaced by AI functions. Thus, Black and Brown communities won’t be the only ones affected; the AI challenge threatens our entire society. In 2007, the National Science Foundation wrote a report, Gathering Above the Rising Storm, about an oncoming storm – destabilization created by a massive influx of skilled workers from India and China. Sounding an alarm was warranted, but the target should have been advanced technology that could disrupt our way of life.
With the proper training, our children can prepare for new jobs created. But the real challenge is with the current workforce. IBM has pledged to train two million people in artificial intelligence by 2026. But what about the 26 million that might be displaced? The autoworkers’ strike waged by the UAW underscored the likely composition of future labor disputes between industries and their workers. It also demonstrates the disruption that AI-driven technology can create throughout the entire economy.
A typical gas-powered automobile has approximately 30,000 components, including the engine, transmission system, fuel tank, and exhaust system while an electric vehicle (EV) has only 10,000 and takes far fewer skilled workers to produce. The workforces are also vastly different: gas-powered cars rely on traditional mechanical engineering. With advanced electronics and software, electrical and computer engineering expertise is needed for EVs.
The shift in jobs within the automotive industry triggered the UAW strike. How do the middle-class workers fare when America shifts to a majority of electric cars? How do those workers feed their families and send their children to college? The union is trying to ensure workers have a future while the industry looks to cash in on the new technology.
Throughout history, people of color have faced discrimination and bias in all aspects of American society. With the increasing use of AI in most fields, the advanced technology may perpetuate and exacerbate existing inequalities. An emerging battleground over racial equity will be biased algorithms and lack of diversity in technology-based industries. Bloomberg recently reported that even OpenAI’s chief executive officer, Sam Altman, has admitted that ChatGPT has “shortcomings around bias.” Further, Healthcare providers will confront inherent race-based biases in medicine, which can reinforce false stereotypes in algorithms and lead to improper treatment recommendations or late diagnoses.
The core problem is that AI systems are often trained on data that reflect these biases and already contain discriminatory patterns. Facial recognition technology has higher error rates for darker-skinned individuals and women than for lighter-skinned individuals and men, leading to misidentification and potential harm for people of color when facial recognition is used for security or law enforcement.
Another issue is the lack of diversity within the AI industry. According to a 2020 report by OpenAI., only 2.5% of employees at major tech companies are Black, and only 4.6% are Hispanic. The lack of representation can lead to biased algorithms and perpetuate inequalities. Moreover, the lack of diversity within the industry means that AI systems may not accurately reflect the needs and experiences of people of color, creating products and services inaccessible to these communities.
While AI can improve our lives, addressing the potential downsides and informing the public of the dramatic changes on the horizon is essential.
The government and private sector can substantially enhance AI comprehension by funding and supporting AI educational initiatives, particularly in communities of color. This could include providing scholarships or grants for coding boot camps, AI courses, or higher education degrees in pertinent fields. They can organize and sponsor workshops, seminars, and webinars that demystify AI and its applications, helping broader audiences break down complex AI concepts.
Additionally, they can facilitate mentorship programs connecting AI industry professionals with people of color interested in the field, enhancing a younger generation with AI understanding and networking opportunities that open potential career paths. The government and the private sector can create user- friendly AI learning resources or culturally inclusive platforms. These resources should be made widely available and easily accessible, ensuring people of color have opportunities to engage with AI.
At STEM Global Action, our affiliates, such as STEM NOLA, implement a cradle-to-career strategy that introduces and sustains science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning to children grades K – 12, helping them learn the skills needed to succeed. This past summer, our AI camp exposed 50 students to the benefits and possibilities of AI. This must happen in every community in every corner of the country.
AI disruption is coming; It’s Alive … and with proper preparation, all our children can prosper and participate in the great technological promises of the 21st century.
Read the full article here
