by Daniel Parker, RDPFS Contributor:
The Partnership on Employment and Inclusive Technology (PEAT), funded by the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), has developed a new toolkit on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace. This AI and Disability Inclusion Toolkit seeks to address and mitigate the effects of AI on workers and job seekers with disabilities. According to the toolkit overview page, “Artificial Intelligence (AI) has advanced rapidly in recent years, moving from Research & Development (R&D) labs and startups into broader use. Organizations are using AI to screen job candidates, streamline the application process, monitor employee actions, and provide employee training. When not designed and implemented to consider diverse users, AI technologies can increase the risk of workplace discrimination, including for people with disabilities.” To combat this, PEAT advocates the use of equitable AI, which “refers to AI technologies that humans intentionally design, develop, and implement to result in more equitable outcomes for everyone, including people with disabilities. Organizations can adopt Equitable AI Principles to guide their design, development, and implementation of AI to mitigate discrimination and reduce bias in AI technologies.” As part of the toolkit, PEAT has created an Equitable AI Playbook as “a blueprint that can help your organization foster inclusion as you procure, develop, or implement artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in your workplace.” Suggested action items include: making a business case for equitable AI based on retention, candidate engagement, cutting costs, lower legal risk, and more; defining your organization’s vision of what success with equitable AI looks like; establishing, engaging with, and training relevant stakeholders; creating a formal policy; governing and managing risk; and monitoring results and progress. Specific information about all aspects of this toolkit can be found at the links above.
