Multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, met to discuss what efforts can be made to address discrimination or other adverse situations that may arise through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies.
The meeting highlighted efforts these entities have made since an April 2023 joint statement where they pledged to uphold “America’s commitment to the core principles of fairness, equality and justice” as AI becomes more commonplace in consumer products. One specific concern in the housing and financial market is how AI algorithms can unintentionally produce discriminatory results during the underwriting process, inadvertently closing previously underserved consumers out of the products they need to purchase a home.
“Agency representatives explored ways to leverage shared resources to address discrimination or other adverse situations that may arise through the use of AI and other advanced technologies,” the agency release stated. “Participants also provided updates on their respective obligations under the executive order, which include developing and issuing policies, guidance and other resource documents on the application of existing federal civil rights and consumer protection laws to the use of AI in areas such as education, employment, healthcare, housing and credit. All participants highlighted the importance of educating the public about how AI and similar systems can violate federal protections and the need to develop holistic remedies to address those harms.”
Other attendees of the event included Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chair Charlotte Burrows, Department of Health and Human Services Director of Civil Rights Melanie Fontes Rainer, and Department of Homeland Security Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia. Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Education, Department of Energy, Department of the Interior, Department of Labor, Department of Transportation, Department of the Treasury, Federal Trade Commission, and Social Security Administration also participated.
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