York University has leading researchers tackling socially responsible AI
From intellectual property and racial bias to misinformation, AI is changing the world at an accelerating pace. A massive seven-year interdisciplinary research initiative led by York University — backed by substantial federal research funding — is setting out to tame the unruly world of AI and other disruptive technologies, so humans can benefit equitably from advances in a machine-driven world. Making sure everyone benefits from the technological boom reflects York’s signature mission to create positive change in the world, both locally and globally.
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See some of their leading research in socially responsible AI
Intellectual Property
Dr. Carys Craig
One of the significant controversies about AI is the impact of generative software on the use and production of cultural works. The fast-growing popularity of these tools raises big questions about the ethics of AI-generated works and whether they amount to a technologically advanced form of plagiarism.
Racial Bias
Laleh Seyyed-Kalantari
Research carried out by Laleh Seyyed-Kalantari at the Lassonde School of Engineering (and published in the journal Nature Medicine) has found that there are biases embedded in AI algorithms, leading to wrong diagnoses or incorrect treatments for certain socio-demographic groups, particularly marginalized or minority populations.
Misinformation
Uyen Trang Nguyen
Users often encounter fraudulent content online, including misinformation and marketing scams. This is not only frustrating for users, but also something that can have major consequences on both a global and personal level, ranging from financial and political damages to cultural and personal disagreements and divides.