Senior Researcher Roberta Medda-Windischer is in Stirling, taking part in the event "Challenges and the Future of Minority and Indigenous Rights Protection Conference," where she presents "Reframing Minority Rights Amid Global Challenges: The Role of AI and Algorithmic Fairness in Promoting Diversity and Inclusion," discussing how global challenges like climate change, economic inequalities, and technological advancements are overshadowing minority rights. The presentation highlights the unintentional biases in AI systems, such as those used in job hiring and loan approvals, which often disadvantage minorities. Real-world examples include Amazon's biased recruitment algorithm and the Dutch tax authorities' discriminatory practices

Using Kimberlé Crenshaw’s concept of intersectionality, the presentation explores how AI systems can exhibit biased or discriminatory behavior, especially in contexts where multiple dimensions of diversity intersect. It emphasizes that discriminatory AI is a human-made problem and can only be tackled through a human-centered approach. This includes discussing protected attributes, vulnerability, and the societal roots of inequalities that lead to biased AI systems.

The discussion also analyzes the EU AI Act and the European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency as possible strategies for mitigating discriminatory effects through AI governance. The presentation concludes that successfully creating fair AI will not be possible without addressing the societal roots of its discriminatory behavior.

The presentation was co-written with Katharina Crepaz.