Does AI need DEI?

Weekly Updates

As with any new technology, how AI is used will determine its value. That emphasizes the importance of people as users and suggests three ways corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion can indicate potential AI success.
New technology changes the world in which companies operate. A monoculture of decision makers is likely to fail. Unchanging thinking based on pre-existing bias will generally miss the opportunities and—worse—the risks technology will bring.
An unmotivated workforce is less likely to get the full advantage of new technology. If gender or ethnicity prejudice prevents promotion, why bother trying? If discrimination causes someone to expend effort hiding their sexuality, that is effort the company does not benefit from.
For new technology to work properly, a company’s management must change workplace practices. Sticking with an old practice, like replacing a steam turbine with a large electric motor, fails. Replacing a single turbine with multiple small electric motors is revolutionary. DEI and other policies like flexible working often provide strong signals. A company has to break with past way of doing business and embrace new methods to earn the productivity gains. A company implementing the changes necessary for DEI success sends investors a signal that it has the agility to change further and potentially succeed with AI.