Ninety-one percent of artificial intelligence professionals say increased diversity is having a positive impact on AI technology, but opinions vary based on country as well as gender, according to an IBM study.
The IBM Global Women in AI study was part of a broader look at diversity and honoring women in AI. Diversity of thought is critical to the development of AI, so the technology avoids bias and operates ethically. Confidence in AI systems largely depends on whether the technology is viewed as biased. Developers -- it's time to brush up on your philosophy: Ethical AI is the big new thing in tech
According to IBM's study, 85% of global AI professionals thought the industry has become more diverse in recent years. Most of respondents said that diversity has had a positive impact on AI technology. The poll covered a sample of 3,221 AI professionals in US, Canada, India, and Europe.
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In addition, 86% of AI professionals had confidence in AI systems' ability to make decisions without bias, but 64% of respondents thought the general public felt the same way.
Overall, men were more confident that AI systems could make decisions without bias.
Other key items in the survey include:
And here's what respondents thought should be prioritized in AI system design.