Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Research Intern Blog Post: The Risks of AI in the Workplace - Divine Doamekpor

 VT THINK-A-BIT LAB

The Risks of AI in the Workplace:

What causes the most concern with AI?

Divine Doamekpor, Thinkabit Lab Research Intern


Source: Primer.ai

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a vital part of modern society, offering numerous benefits in multiple fields (e.g., efficiencies, information aggregation, supporting research). However, the rapid advancement and widespread adoption of AI technologies also raise significant concerns regarding their potential risks. This report explores such concerns commonly discussed in the media, including the overreliance on AI, inherent biases in AI systems, and the impact on employment leading to job layoffs.


Over-Reliance on AI:

One of the primary concerns associated with AI is the growing dependence on these systems across diverse fields such as healthcare, finance, education, and criminal justice, where AI is increasingly relied upon to make critical decisions. This reliance is emphasized by examples like the fictional example court case, State v. Alex Turner, where I asked an AI to create a court case and a way to prove innocence, and Michael Cohen's submission of AI-generated fake legal cases to a court. These examples reveal a concerning trend: the readiness to accept AI-generated content without question, underscoring the risk of diminishing human diligence and oversight. As AI tools become more sophisticated and capable of creating convincingly possible accounts of incidents or disputes, society faces ethical and legal challenges. This reliance raises concerns about the diminishing level of human effort and the potential for AI to replace critical thinking and accountability but also reveals our vulnerability in forgoing human verification and ethical responsibility in decision-making processes.


Bias in AI Systems:

AI systems are not immune to biases; they can inadvertently perpetuate and amplify existing societal biases. The data used to train these models often reflect unintentional and/or hidden historical disparities, resulting in biased predictions and decisions. This bias can appear in various forms, such as gender, racial, or socioeconomic bias. For example, an AI system used for hiring might prioritize male candidates over female ones due to the historical data AI was trained on, which may have included more men in specific job roles. According to the Synergia Foundation, “In 2015, Amazon realized that their algorithm used for hiring employees was found to be biased against women.” 

Similarly, AI used in criminal sentencing could impose harsher sentences on minority groups if the training data mirrors past judicial biases. The COMPAS (Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions) algorithm, which judges use to determine whether to hold prisoners in custody or release them on pending trial, was found to be biased against African Americans, according to a ProPublica analysis.

The consequences of biased AI can profoundly affect individuals' lives in hiring processes, criminal sentencing, and access to essential services, underscoring the importance of addressing and mitigating bias in AI algorithms to ensure fair and equitable outcomes.

Impact on Employment and Job Layoffs:

Integrating AI technologies in the workforce has undoubtedly increased efficiency and productivity. However, this integration comes with significant implications for human employment. Automation and AI-driven systems can potentially replace specific job roles, leading to job layoffs and economic disruption. Industries such as manufacturing, customer service, and transportation are already witnessing the transformative impact of AI, which raises concerns about the displacement of human workers. In this context, the need for reskilling and upskilling programs becomes paramount to mitigate the negative consequences on the labor market. Echoing the sentiment expressed by Richard Baldwin during a panel at the 2023 World Economic Forum's Growth Summit, "AI won't take your job," it is indeed "somebody using AI that will take your job." This highlights the importance of adapting to the evolving job landscape by prioritizing specific AI-related skills in reskilling and upskilling programs.

Source: brookings.edu


Conclusion:

Recognizing and addressing the associated risks of AI, especially in the workplace, is crucial to ensure a future where technology serves humanity responsibly and offers transformative advancements. The rapid integration of AI in various industries poses significant challenges, including job displacement, privacy concerns, increased bias, automated bias, and the amplification of biases. By focusing on these risks, we can strive for a balance between innovation and ethical considerations, aiming to harness AI's benefits while protecting workers from potential harm. This requires the implementation of robust ethical guidelines, the development of AI technologies that complement human skills rather than replace them, and the creation of policies that support individuals affected by automation. Fostering a workplace culture that values human oversight and ethical AI use can mitigate risks and ensure that AI is a tool for enhancing, rather than undermining, the workforce's integrity and well-being. Through these measures, we can navigate the challenges posed by AI in the workplace, ensuring that technological progress benefits all members of society.


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Thursday, February 22, 2024

Using micro:bits for Invention and Innovation – Washington D.C. event for teachers

April 10, 2024 in Washington, D.C.!

EXPLR, the Micro:bit Educational Foundation, Invention D.C., Kid Museum, and the Virginia Tech D.C. Area STEM Education and Workforce Programs are welcoming a limited number of Washington, D.C. area teachers to an April 10 workshop on
Using micro:bits for Invention and Innovation.

Meet Kari Byron from Mythbusters/ Crash Test girl.  

Participants will engage with other educators in learning, using, and experimenting with micro:bit microcontrollers and strategies for teaching and learning physical computing and related concepts in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary learning environments.

This event is hosted as part of US STEM Festival. Location in downtown, Washington, D.C. to be shared with confirmed participants upon registration.

Contact us at 571-482-8298 or InventVirginiaDC@gmail.com

A registration request form can be accessed at https://forms.gle/3qorX6ZahNP9dTG29


Due to limited capacity, submitting this form does not guarantee an opportunity to participate in the workshop; you will receive a confirmation email following the event.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

CTE and the Workforce - STEMconnector

 Register today!

Wednesday, February 28th, 1-2 PM EST

Engaging students in educational experiences that align with workforce needs has a long history in the United States dating back well over a century. Today, Career and Technical Education (CTE) constitutes the primary system that enables learners to connect with career opportunities and industry partners. 

CTE programs can support nearly every sector of the labor force. In celebration of CTE Month - February - STEMconnector will host a virtual discussion with Advance CTE, Val Verde Unified School District, and ISTE on how CTE is supporting their workforce development initiatives and how CTE is driving STEM education outcomes. 

The event will include Q&A, allowing participants to engage with the speakers.



Friday, February 9, 2024

Technovation Girls [ Virginia Tech Northern Virginia Center - February 24

 




As Technovation Girls develops its alliance with TAIFA to upskill girls and women in AI, coding, and entrepreneurship, Virginia Tech Engineering is hosting the Technovation Girls Mid-Year Journey on February 24 on the Northern Virginia Center's 1st Floor Thinkabit Lab and surrounding rooms.  

A big focus of the Saturday event is helping young inventors and entrepreneurs to develop their engineering and presentation skills to participate in upcoming expos and showcases.

Learn more by contacting HanhLinh Ho at InventVirginia@gmail.com.


Monday, February 5, 2024

Invent Virginia and Invention D.C. upcoming K-12 Expos and Competitions

Virginia Tech launches Invent Virginia and Invention D.C. K-12 Expos and Competitions Educators and advocates for STEM education and Entrepreneurship can begin spreading the word about upcoming opportunities for young inventors and innovators to showcase their ideas.

Virginia Tech is sponsored by RTX and Amazon in the Community to promote invention and innovation demonstrating the importance of design processes and communication skills. Invent Virginia provides curricula, support for local, regional, and state Expos and competitions: 
  • April 6 Northern Virginia and DC Regional Expo;
  • April 20 Coastal Virginia Expo in Norfolk; and 
  • April 21 virtual Statewide competition. 
The statewide event will nominate up to seven for the national Invention Convention Worldwide at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan in early June (5-7). Projects completed through Technology and Engineering courses, TSA, PLTW, Science and Engineering Fairs, Odyssey of the