Can artificial intelligence bridge the gap or will it amplify existing inequalities?
In short: AI is increasingly shaping our health outcomes, job prospects, and access to services. While it offers a way to support refugees and migrants in developing vital skills, there is a growing risk that without careful oversight, these systems will entrench and amplify discrimination rather than dismantling it.
The influence of artificial intelligence is expanding into almost every facet of modern life, from healthcare outcomes to the services we access daily. For individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, refugees, or migrants, AI holds the potential to be a transformative tool. As tech executive Jamila Gordon suggests, AI can help these populations find employment and acquire the specific skills necessary to work safely and effectively in a modern economy. Gordon's personal journey from refugee to a high-level tech executive illustrates this potential. This lived experience highlights how technology can bridge socioeconomic divides.
However, the Council of Europe warns that AI is a double-edged sword. If left unchecked, the technology can become a force that perpetuates and amplifies existing inequalities, particularly regarding gender. A recent Council of Europe study highlighted significant shortcomings in current mechanisms designed to prevent discrimination within algorithmic systems. To combat this, experts suggest that human rights impact assessments must be integrated throughout the entire lifecycle of an AI system. The Council of Europe is currently developing non-binding guidance for governments to address these concerns. This instrument aims to mitigate risks related to discrimination.
Addressing these risks requires a multi-pronged approach. The Council of Europe is working toward a global agreement to ensure AI deployment is rooted in democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. Furthermore, there is a pressing need for a more diverse workforce in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) to help counteract inherent biases. By fostering inclusive digital skills education and ensuring diverse participation in tech development, society may be better equipped to harness AI as a tool for equality rather than a driver of division. The Council of Europe's new Gender Equality Strategy for 2024–2029 prioritises these technological challenges. This strategy reinforces the commitment of member states to achieve equality.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Jamila Gordon: How AI can help shatter barriers to equality
- Also: Artificial Intelligence - Bridging the Equality Gap - Portal - www.coe.int
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