New Stanford white paper examines AI’s impact on Black Americans

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues its rapid evolution, reshaping industries and everyday life, a pressing question emerges:: How will this technology affect the Black communities in the United States? The Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI) has issued a white paper, “Exploring the Impact of AI on Black Americans: Considerations for the Congressional Black Caucus’s Policy Initiatives.”This paper, prepared by a group of researchers and policymakers, is a vital guide for the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) as the transformative potential of AI increasingly becomes its focal point. 

Generative AI: A Double-Edged Sword for Creativity and Opportunity

The white paper includes a deep dive into generative AI, which can produce new content employing a simple text prompt. These models, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, have many positive and challenging effects on Black content creators and professionals.

On one hand, generative AI could democratize creative industries, lowering barriers to entry for Black artists and content creators who have historically faced discrimination and limited access to resources. The technology allows diverse voices to be heard without expensive software or extensive training.

However, this opportunity comes with a caveat. The paper raises alarming concerns about the potential for exploitation and appropriation of Black creative labor. One researcher notes, “Without clear legal and regulatory frameworks in place to address issues of provenance and ownership, creators cannot assert their rights or seek redress for any copyright and intellectual property infringements.”

This issue is especially significant in light of the historical context of what Perry A. Hall, a scholar, calls the “virtual ‘strip-mining’ of Black musical genius and aesthetic innovation.” The authors argue that policymakers should rush in to ensure that the contributions of lesser-known creators are not depreciated or suppressed.

The Economic Equation: Bridging or Widening the Wealth Gap?

The economic implications of AI for Black communities are equally complex. While some analysts project that generative AI could raise global GDP by 7%, the paper highlights a stark reality: Black workers represented only 2.5% of Google’s workforce and 4% of Facebook’s and Microsoft’s in 2018. This underrepresentation in the AI industry indicates a potentially uneven distribution of AI-driven wealth creation.

Nonetheless, the authors are also hopeful about constructive changes to come. Studies mentioned in the paper show that technologies can be used to raise efficiency by as much as 40% and their modifications through “upskilling” working people who have missed education and growth opportunities. For example, a survey found that the performance of customer service representatives aided by the AI service improved by 14% on average, while the least experienced employees went up by 30%.

Healthcare: AI’s Promise and Perils in Medicine

AI could bring a wave of changes in the healthcare sector, which could be great for Black Americans but also has a dark side. The paper suggests that AI-driven diagnostic devices, particularly in medical imaging, might cut off a considerable number of unnecessary deaths and thus improve the patient’s outcome. However, the authors underline the importance of accurate and comprehensive data sets that include the indicators of the different racial groups to ensure that these devices work in the same way for all racial groups.

Thanks to AI, the concept of “precision medicine” is the most promising one. AI can facilitate the creation of specific treatments that go beyond the mechanism of racial biases in medicine by processing huge amounts of data, including genetic information and individual biomarkers. One scientist says, “With this, the treatments can be more effective and lower the number of side effects, which in turn will lower healthcare costs.”

However, the paper also sounds a note of caution. There’s a risk that such advanced, personalized treatments could be available only to a select few, potentially widening rather than narrowing healthcare disparities. The authors argue that to realize the promise of AI in healthcare truly, policy must also address broader social and environmental determinants of health that affect a patient’s ability to access and follow AI-customized treatment plans.

Education: Reimagining Learning in the Age of AI

However, depending on the technology’s application, AI might either reduce the gulf between the rich and the poor in education or create it. The research discusses how AI-aided adaptable study materials might supply unique educational offerings, making it possible for students in low-achieving schools to attain success.

“AI-powered learning devices would be adaptable,” the authors note. “For instance, a student struggling with a particular concept would see it repeated in future problem sets, while a student who has already mastered that skill would be accelerated to receive new material.”

However, the paper also raises concerns about AI-powered predictive tools in education. While these systems could identify struggling students early and enable timely interventions, they also risk encoding historical biases, potentially stigmatizing certain students and limiting their opportunities.

The authors call on the CBC to develop a comprehensive AI policy strategy that tackles AI’s complex implications for ongoing efforts to eliminate racial inequalities. They insist that the US Congress Black Caucus (CBC) is in a unique position to provide direction for the development and governance of technology at the current moment so that the needs and concerns of Black Americans are included in any future government policies or regulations.