There’s a widespread belief that AI will level the playing field regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion, which we also know as DEI. The hope is that these advanced technologies can remove human biases and provide objective, fair decisions. However, the reality is far more complex.
AI systems are created by people, and people, regardless of their background, have biases. These biases can UNINTENTIONALLY be embedded in the algorithms and data sets used to train AI, leading to outcomes that may perpetuate or even exacerbate existing inequalities.
This brings us to the broader discussion about the current landscape of DEI in the workplace. Despite the progress we've made, the term "diversity" itself seems to be falling out of favor. Some argue that it has lost its impact and failed to drive meaningful change. As a practitioner of diversity, inclusion & belonging, I see this as a call to action. We need to shift our focus from simply promoting diversity to fostering a culture of true inclusion and belonging by consistently demonstrating what inclusive leadership acts, sounds, feels, and looks like.