Another quick scan of the IBM scheme spotlighted in the previous post revealed the Advertising Playbook for AI Fairness 360. The 55-page document—which reads like something crafted by IT wonks and pseudo-strategists—stated the following in its introduction:
In the summer of 2021, IBM Watson Advertising initiated a research effort using tools developed by IBM Research to explore bias in advertising – to identify and mitigate bias within campaign data, algorithms, and outcomes. That research uncovered that discrimination could exist in the tools we employ.
Gee, what prompted IBM to consider the subject matter in 2021? After all, it’s hardly a new area of investigation.
Dr. Timnit Gebru, a recognized leader in AI ethics research, co-authored a paper critiquing facial recognition technology that reportedly got her ousted by Google in 2020.
Deborah Raji has been studying AI since at least 2018.
Were any experts like Gebru and Raji integrated into IBM’s endeavor? And what does IBM DEI really look like? In a 2021 Forbes interview, IBM CHRO Nickle LaMoreaux mouthed the common dodge, “We are extremely proud of our diversity, equity, and inclusion history. That being said, we're not nearly where we want to be.” From a discrimination perspective, the tech giant has a checkered past and present—and only recently bailed out of the facial recognition business.
This is a familiar game plan too, replete with diversionary stunts that block the truth and ultimately defeat diversity. It all makes the Advertising Playbook for AI Fairness 360—and IBM—appear fishy, fuzzy and fucked up.
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