EqualAI is a nonprofit organization that was launched to reduce unconscious bias in artificial intelligence (AI). The organization takes a multi-stakeholder approach towards this mission; engaging companies, policy makers and leading experts. EqualAI has partnered with and been featured for its efforts to reduce AI bias by the World Economic Forum [1], Congress [2][3], Harvard Law School [4], the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) [5], MIT Technology Review [6], and numerous other notable organizations [7][8][9][10]. More articles from outlets quoting or co-publishing work with EqualAI can be found in EqualAI’s Newsroom.

Founding and Mission

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EqualAI was co-founded by Arianna Huffington, Jimmy Whales, Rob Locascio, Baroness Lane Fox, and Justine Cassell. Along with EqualAI President & CEO, Miriam Vogel, several key figures lead the board at EqualAI, including SAS ethical AI lead Reggie Townsend [11][12], Robert LoCascio and Monica Greenberg of Liveperson [13], CEO of AIandYou Susan Gonzales [14], and Motion Picture Association Executive Karyn Temple. Since its launch, EqualAI has also signed on a notable group of senior advisors with diverse perspectives on AI and its potential impact, including: Cathy O'Neil, Michele Flournoy, Victoria Espinel and Kurt Campbell.

The organization's President and CEO, Miriam Vogel, previously served as an attorney in the Justice Department, including as an Associate Deputy Attorney General and also served in the White House as Acting Director of Justice and Regulatory Affairs. Miriam has a background in tech as a lawyer, and teaches Technology Law & Policy at Georgetown University Law Center. She has also developed an expertise in bias through her work in government. At the White House, she led the President's Equal Pay Task Force. Under Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, Miriam led the creation and development of Implicit Bias Training for Federal Law Enforcement at the Department of Justice.

Work and Programs

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Podcast

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EqualAI co-produces a podcast with Kay Firth-Butterfield of the World Economic Forum called In AI we Trust. The podcast releases monthly episodes that explore responsible, innovative artificial intelligence from legal, policy, and corporate perspectives in an effort to demystify AI and identify the best practices in building and using the technology responsibly.

Industry

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EqualAI also works with companies to help them address bias in the AI they procure, develop, and employ the technology to enable them to lead in responsible AI. EqualAI has launched impactful initiatives towards this mission, including the EqualAI Pledge and EqualAI Badge Program for Responsible AI Governance. The Badge Program is aimed to prepare senior executives at companies that are developing and using AI to ensure that they are able to identify and implement best practices and responsible AI framework practices. EqualAI also works with companies and other key stakeholders like NIST to develop standards for the development and use of AI.

Government

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EqualAI also works with lawmakers to help identify and address challenges and solutions from a regulatory perspective. EqualAI has briefed the US Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Congressional leaders, US Copyright Office[15], and the FCC [16], as well as hosted events with Senator Warner and Members of the AI Congressional Caucus. In October 2021, EqualAI President and CEO Miriam Vogel testified before Congress and the Task Force on Artificial Intelligence under the House Committee on Financial Services [17].

EqualAI also serves in a leading role on the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee (NAIAC)[18], which was created by congressional mandate to provide AI policy guidance to the President and White House. In 2022, EqualAI President and CEO, Miriam Vogel, was appointed to the chair of the NAIAC with several esteemed committee members from across industry, academia and civil society[19]. Specifically, NAIAC is tasked with providing recommendations to the President and National AI Initiative Office, which will “serve as building blocks for U.S. AI policy for decades to come,” according to an announcement from U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves[20].

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EqualAI also offers a California accredited Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) program to help lawyers reduce bias in AI systems. This program is aimed to provide lawyers with tools and strategies to reduce risks and promote responsible AI.

References

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  1. ^ "5 ways to avoid artificial intelligence bias with 'responsible AI'".
  2. ^ "Testimony of Miriam Vogel" (PDF).
  3. ^ "AI Bias Bicameral Letter" (PDF).
  4. ^ "Board Responsibility for Artificial Intelligence Oversight".
  5. ^ "U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Investor Advisory Committee (W3C)".
  6. ^ "A quick guide to the most important AI law you've never heard of".
  7. ^ "A proposed HUD rule on AI could allow for housing discrimination".
  8. ^ "Siri, Alexa and unconscious bias: the case for designing fairer AI assistants".
  9. ^ "Artificial Intelligence has a gender problem — why it matters for everyone".
  10. ^ "Making equitable access to credit a reality in the age of algorithms".
  11. ^ "SAS exec tapped to join board of EqualAI to fight bias in artificial intelligence".
  12. ^ "Big Data Career Notes: June 2022 Edition".
  13. ^ "Business Leaders Commemorate Anniversary of EqualAI and its New Leadership Role on the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee".
  14. ^ "EqualAI Appoints Susan Gonzales, CEO of AIandYou, to its Board".
  15. ^ "Copyright in the Age of A.I.: Session 7 - Bias and Artificial Intelligence".
  16. ^ "Future of Work Roundtable".
  17. ^ "Task Force on Artificial Intelligence: Beyond I, Robot: Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, and the Digital Age".
  18. ^ "The National AI Advisory Committee".
  19. ^ "Who Serves on the New National AI Advisory Committee?".
  20. ^ "U.S. Department of Commerce Appoints 27 Members to National AI Advisory Committee".