The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division recently held a meeting to discuss the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and civil rights. This marks the fourth gathering of its kind by the division, coinciding with the upcoming one-year anniversary of President Biden’s Executive Order on AI development and use.
The meeting focused on ensuring that AI technologies do not contribute to unlawful discrimination. A recent symposium hosted by the Justice Department addressed technology-enabled crime, including those facilitated by AI. Discussions included the department's involvement in negotiating an international agreement for using AI responsibly.
To enhance efforts in maintaining equity in AI, Dr. Laura Edelson has been appointed as Chief Technologist for the Civil Rights Division. Her role includes expanding AI enforcement capacity and improving operational efficiency through technological advancements.
During the convening, discussions were held on auditing algorithms to prevent bias against protected classes. Various agencies shared their initiatives to protect civil rights through enforcement, policy-making, and education.
Key accomplishments highlighted include:
- A Federal Trade Commission report on privacy concerns with social media companies.
- An Equal Employment Opportunity Commission report addressing discriminatory barriers in the tech sector.
- A Department of Labor resource promoting disability inclusion in AI hiring technologies.
- A Department of Education guide emphasizing shared responsibility in advancing equity through educational AI design.
Representatives from numerous federal departments and agencies attended, including those from Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Interior, Labor, Transportation and Treasury. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and other agencies also participated.
All attendees committed to ongoing collaboration to safeguard against potential harms from increased reliance on AI. They also agreed to engage external stakeholders in their efforts to promote equity and civil rights within AI technologies.
Further information can be found on the Civil Rights Division’s webpage dedicated to their work on AI and civil rights.