A group of federal agencies recently pledged to uphold the nation’s commitment to the core principles of equality and justice amid the emergence of automated systems.
The effort involving the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) includes a focus on ensuring balance with regard to artificial intelligence (AI), which officials maintain has the potential to impact civil rights, fair competition, consumer protection, and equal opportunity.
The agencies recently issued a joint statement regarding their automated systems stance in the wake of a series of CFPB actions to ensure advanced technologies do not violate consumer rights.
“Technology marketed as AI has spread to every corner of the economy, and regulators need to stay ahead of its growth to prevent discriminatory outcomes that threaten families’ financial stability,” CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said. The joint statement makes it clear that the CFPB will work with partner enforcement agencies to address discrimination caused by any tool or system enabling unlawful decision-making.
“Today, the use of automated systems, including those sometimes marketed as artificial intelligence or AI, is becoming increasingly common in our daily lives,” the agencies noted via the joint statement. “We use the term automated systems broadly to mean software and algorithmic processes, including AI, that are used to automate workflows and help people complete tasks or make decisions. Although many of these tools offer the promise of advancement, their use also has the potential to perpetuate unlawful bias, automate unlawful discrimination, and produce other harmful outcomes.”