New York City could soon do something to trim down AI bias in the job market. The Associated Press notes the city’s council has passed a bill that bans AI hiring systems that don’t go past yearly audits checking for race or gender-based discrimination.
Developers would also require greater transparency and provide options such as human reviews. Fines would reach up to $1,500 per incident. The bill was passed on November 10. Departing Mayor Bill de Blasio has a month to sign it into law, but it’s unclear whether he will or not. If the measure goes forward, it would take effect in 2023.
Is AI hiring technology skewing data?
A signed law could trim down the chances that AI hiring technology skews candidate pools of the resulting employees. Pro-business firms such as the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce are already in favor, suggesting the disclosures are important for employers and their talent.
However, there have been concerns an enacted law wouldn’t help as it is believed to. The Center for Democracy & Technology’s Alexandra Givens told AP that the bill doesn’t include other biases, such as ableism and ageism.
AI replacing humans for tasks
Speaking of what AI can do, McDonald’s has joined forces with IBM to implement AI tech to take orders at drive-thru lanes. “In my mind, IBM is the ideal partner for McDonald’s given their expertise in building AI-powered customer care solutions and voice recognition,” McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said during an earnings call.
It might not impress everybody, as not everyone would fancy communicating with an AI to place their orders. It could be frustrating at times to explain yourself to an AI. In 2019, McDonald’s acquired a tech startup called Apprente and gave it a moniker McD Tech Labs. As part of the deal, IBM will acquire the firm.
