Artificial intelligence (AI), as sci-fi as aliens, is now a fundamental part of our daily lives. It is a field that leverages computer systems, statistics, and mathematics to mimic how animals, mainly humans, solve problems and make decisions.

AI can do amazing things — recommend the best movies on Netflix, find precisely what you want on Google, keep you on TikTok for hours, and talk to you so naturally that you think it’s another person. However, for all of AI’s incredible feats, it has a not-so-hidden secret, Bias.

The most prevalent forms of AI rely on data and human experiences to work, meaning any flaws from either of those; human biases, unreasonable assumptions, or incorrect data can sneak into the AI system and impact its decisions.

The impacts are often so ingrained that it’s hard to uncover them unless you’re looking for them. A few notable instances are:

1) An AI-powered image cropping tool that cropped out individuals of colour and the elderly because it was only exposed to young white people and did not know how to handle darker skin tones.

2) A system used to automate the decision of people getting bail vs jail time perpetuated racial biases. Researchers noted that years of racial discrimination skewed the data. You may be saying, “That’s stupid, what kind of mistake was that?” I’ll tell you another secret, AI is obedient and not very smart. AI is excellent at particular tasks and learning rules from data, but if the fuel for the rules is incorrect, it won’t know.

In all those movies where AI takes over the world and tries to eliminate humans, I blame the crazy person that built the AI; that person does not have many friends. But, what can we do to make AI fair for everyone? We ensure that everyone is represented; diversity and representation are the keys.

Diversity is the condition of having or being composed of differing elements; applying this definition to individuals means different races, genders, physical capabilities, cultures, ages, and so on need to be considered and consulted.

As we seek to make life better for all humans, we need the diversity of human intelligence as a blueprint for thinking machines. Jamaica’s own AI company, StarApple, utilises this diversity as a superpower when building AI models, using teams composed of people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and thoughts.

AI’s use in daily activities grow exponentially and impact people from all backgrounds. Yet, the majority of the AI development and funding is concentrated in a few countries and driven by relatively uniform types of people. We can ensure AI is developed with Caribbean people in mind with increased diversity and improved representation. Our value to the rest of the world is more significant innovation and productivity.

Greater innovation

To innovate means introducing changes and new ideas to how something is done or made. Technological evolution is happening at an exponential rate. If outdated practices, beliefs, and principles continue to rule we will come to a screeching halt. On the other hand, with increased diversity and representation, industries are incentivised to listen to all consumers. Diverse teams have varying thought patterns, experiences, and skills at their disposal that will bolster developments in AI and business in general.

Greater productivity

Productivity slows when there is a skills deficit. AI’s development demands different skills unlikely to be found in a single person or region. Even the most straightforward projects require different levels of skill in various areas.

Differences in beliefs, approaches, and ideas don’t have to be fault lines from which conflict emerges, but opportunities for us to expand the AI industry. The Caribbean is the perfect development ground for AI, our diversity per mile and innovation per person are our most significant natural resources. Join me in building a Caribbean AI industry built on diversity and fairness. Stay, Innovative Jamaica.

Adrian Dunkley is president of the Jamaica Technology and Digital Alliance and founder of StarApple AI. Share your feedback to marketing@jtda.org.