Alumni event

Panel discussion Bias in AI, algorithms, and the tech sector - Young Alumni Network

Date: Thursday 20 April 2023
Time: 19:00 - 21:30
Location: Wijnhaven
Turfmarkt 99
2511 DP The Hague
Room: Groot Auditorium

Prejudice in Artificial Intelligence

There is a growing concern that AI programmes like ChatGPT exacerbate existing biases concerning gender, age, race and sexual orientation. As individuals are increasingly integrating the impressive abilities of AI programmes into their companies, organisations and personal lives, it is useful to take stock of these algorithmic biases.

Many institutions make decisions based on artificial intelligence (AI) systems using machine learning (ML), whereby a series of algorithms takes and learns from massive amounts of data to find patterns and make predictions. These systems inform how much credit financial institutions offer different customers, who the health care system prioritizes for COVID-19 vaccines, and which candidates companies call in for job interviews. There is growing concern that algorithms may exacerbate and reinforce existing biases when it comes to gender, age, race, and sexual orientation. Questions around the consequences of automated gender recognition and its impacts for women and the LGBTQIA+ community are particularly poorly understood and often underestimated.

When you ask ChatGPT if it is biased towards gender it admittingly answers: ''biases can exist in the data that ChatGPT was trained on, which could be reflected in its responses. If the data contains biased language or stereotypes about gender, ChatGPT may unintentionally generate responses that reinforce those biases.''

This event aims to explore the issue of gender and other biases in AI and how we can address them. Our expert panel will discuss the impact of biases in AI and share their insights on how to mitigate them. Our speakers will also highlight the importance of creating inclusive AI systems that take into account the needs and perspectives of diverse communities. This event is an opportunity for interested alumni to come together and discuss prejudice in AI, algorithms and the tech sector. We hope to spark meaningful conversations that inspire action for those using AI systems either profesionally or personally.

Panel discussion

On Thursday 20 April the Young Alumni Network (JAN) is organising a panel discussion on the topic of 'Gendering Algorithms' with Laura Doornkamp (project manager at VHTO), Tessa Verhoef and Eduard Fosch Villaronga (both Principal Investigators of the interdisciplinary research project 'Gendering Algorithms'). The night will be moderated by Maud Alberts (Alumni and Communications officer at Leiden University).

The Young Alumni Network usually organises events for alumni under 35 years old, but this event is open to all alumni. After the panel discussion there will be time to catch up with your fellow alumni during the network drinks.

Panel members

Laura Doornkamp is project manager at Vrouwen in Hoger Technisch Onderwijs (VHTO), which is an expertise center aiming at improving gender diversity in a.o. the tech sector. She is also a PhD-student at Leiden University and researches the role of gender representation and gender stereotypes in Dutch secondary education.

Tessa Verhoef is an assistant professor in Computation x Creativity at the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science. She is also one of the Principal Investigators of the interdisciplinary research project “Gendering Algorithms”.

Eduard Fosch Villaronga is an Associate Professor in Law, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at the School of Law at Leiden University and together with Tessa, one of the Principal Investigators of the interdisciplinary research project “Gendering Algorithms”.

Maud Alberts (moderator) is an alumna of International Relations at Leiden University and has an affinity with AI, quantum computing and quantum theory. She wrote her thesis on quantum theory in international relations. She is currently working for the Alumni Office of Leiden University and will moderate the panel discussion at this event.

More info and registration

Date	Thursday 20 April 2023
Time	19.15 - 20.30: panel discussion 20.30 - 21.30: networking drinks
Location	Wijnhaven Campus, The Hague Great Auditorium (This event will not be recorded or livestreamed)
Price	5 euros (including drinks)
Registration	You can register here.
Contact	For any questions please contact: info@alumni.leidenuniv.nl

Laura Doornkamp
Tessa Verhoef
Eduard Fosch Villaronga