Discourse on AI, Equality, and Justice

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Questions and Answers

What group tends to disproportionately benefit from technology in the short term?

Low-skilled workers

Middle class workers

Capital owners and highly skilled workers (correct)

Developing countries

What percentage of total economic growth has the bottom 50% of income earners captured globally?

12% (correct)

34%

50%

27%

What was the estimated amount hidden in tax havens as reported by the Tax Justice Network in 2012?

$21 trillion (correct)

$15 trillion

$30 trillion

$10 trillion

How has the share of wealth held by the richest 1% changed in Italy since 1995?

It has increased from 17% to 21% Signup and view all the answers

What has been the trend in income inequality as measured by the Gini index since the 1980s?

It has begun to rise again Signup and view all the answers

What misconception do people have regarding the wealth held by the wealthiest 20% in the US?

They underestimate the wealth at 59% Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of respondents in Italy viewed policies aimed at reducing inequality as a priority, according to a 2018 survey?

80% Signup and view all the answers

What major factor has contributed to the growing income gap since the 1980s and 1990s?

Changes in public policy and attitudes Signup and view all the answers

What is one argument against the global extension of distributive justice?

It places a heavy burden on individuals and states. Signup and view all the answers

Which approach to equality addresses initial access to resources?

Starting-gate principle Signup and view all the answers

Why might equality need additional specifications according to the content?

To avoid deep inequalities over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of the starting-gate principle?

It may lead to large inequalities over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is one argument in favor of intergenerational equality?

Future generations should have equal conditions regardless of circumstances. Signup and view all the answers

How do proponents of local equality justify their views?

By emphasizing shared culture and values within a nation. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of distributive justice is highlighted by the phrase "equality and timing"?

The significance of maintaining equality over time. Signup and view all the answers

What moral issue is addressed by distributive justice theories?

Fairness in the allocation of benefits and burdens. Signup and view all the answers

What does intrinsic egalitarianism argue about equality?

Equality is valuable in itself and should be pursued inherently. Signup and view all the answers

What challenge does the levelling-down objection present?

Achieving equality could make everyone worse off. Signup and view all the answers

What does pluralistic egalitarianism advocate for?

Combining equality with improvements in overall well-being. Signup and view all the answers

How does instrumental egalitarianism perceive equality?

As a means to achieve economic growth and social stability. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of constitutive egalitarianism?

Ensuring equality as a core component of justice. Signup and view all the answers

What is a straightforward approach to distributive justice?

Centering on income as a measure of well-being. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements reflects a misconception about equality?

Equality should make everyone equally worse off to be meaningful. Signup and view all the answers

Which perspective allows for some level of inequality?

Instrumental egalitarianism. Signup and view all the answers

What was Hara's main concern regarding the automated decision-making system?

It made decisions without human oversight. Signup and view all the answers

How did Hara feel about her resume being used to train the AI system?

She was dismayed by the lack of consent. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'insidious discrimination' refer to in the context of the AI hiring systems?

Subtle forms of discrimination that are difficult to spot. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of AI systems must be ensured to prevent unintended exclusions?

Regular checks for patterns that may lead to discrimination. Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for creating new job opportunities in an economy?

Maintaining strong economic growth Signup and view all the answers

What argument has been made regarding diverse teams compared to homogeneous ones?

Diverse teams outperform homogeneous teams in many studies. Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of a homogeneous workforce mentioned in the content?

Smoother communication and shared understanding. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key factor in scaling job retraining and skills development?

Lifelong learning and job retraining are crucial Signup and view all the answers

What role can businesses play in the transition of workers to new roles?

They should provide on-the-job training and skill development Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is essential for avoiding insidious discrimination in AI?

Transparency in the training and application of AI systems. Signup and view all the answers

What is a suggested measure to enhance labor-market fluidity and mobility?

Fostering labor mobility Signup and view all the answers

What does research suggest about workplace homogeneity and diversity?

Homogeneity reduces creativity in problem-solving. Signup and view all the answers

What type of support is important for displaced workers?

Financial assistance and job placement services Signup and view all the answers

What trend has been observed in public investment related to workforce training in many OECD countries?

It has decreased in many countries Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a suggested long-term measure to support displaced workers?

Stricter employment laws Signup and view all the answers

What has been a significant issue with educational systems in adapting to the job market?

They have not evolved significantly for over a century Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential downside of omitting demographic attributes in data analysis?

It hampers the ability to verify equal outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best exemplifies Individual Fairness through Awareness?

Ensuring similar individuals receive the same job advertisements. Signup and view all the answers

What does Demographic Parity imply regarding algorithmic outcomes?

Males and females must have the same likelihood of loan approval. Signup and view all the answers

How does Equal Opportunity address fairness in outcomes?

It ensures the same likelihood of beneficial predictions across groups. Signup and view all the answers

What is a criticism of Demographic Parity?

It does not account for differences in group behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What societal issue may undermine the effectiveness of Equal Opportunity?

Historical biases influencing repayment capability. Signup and view all the answers

What challenge does defining similarity present in the context of fairness?

It creates ambiguity in predicting similar individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus when considering group fairness?

Treating different demographic groups equally. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Obsolescence-Automation Discourse

Focuses on fears of human irrelevance due to automation in agriculture, manufacturing, services, and professions
Associated with visions of utopias (cyborgs, virtual worlds) and dystopias (superintelligence)
Presents concern that AI will replace human roles

Enchanted-Determinism Discourse

AI is portrayed as immaterial and inevitable, emphasizing accuracy over explanation
Challenges the view of AI as solely material and human-shaped

Global Inequality

Overview of global trends, focusing on Italy's perspective and perceptions of inequality.
Highlights how different societies and economic systems affect the distribution of wealth.

Principles of Equality

Formal equality: Equal treatment
Proportional equality: Rewards based on contribution or need
Moral equality: All humans have equal moral worth.

Theories of Distributive Justice

Equality among whom? (individuals vs groups, global, intergenerational)
Equality when? (starting-gate principles, time-frame perspective)
Why does equality matter? (intrinsic, instrumental, constitutive)
What should be equalized? (income, opportunities, well-being)
How should goods be distributed? (sufficientarianism, strict egalitarianism, maximin principle)

AI in Recruitment

Case study: PARIS—raises issues of efficiency, discrimination (direct and indirect), and responsibility for outcomes
Challenges of predictive hiring tools—AI can reinforce biases, issues in defining fairness, fairness and awareness, demographic parity, equal opportunity
Examples of AI tools: ZipRecruiter (sourcing); Pymetrics (screening); HireVue (interviewing); Oracle (selection)

AI and the Labor Market

Key drivers of economic growth after the Industrial Revolution: Resistance technologies; Schumpeter's theory; Workerist Marxism.
Automation anxieties—past and present concerns about job displacement due to automation
Potential new labor sources: rising incomes, aging populations, infrastructure investments, renewable energy, marketization of domestic work, and new tech advancements.
Challenges and workforce transition cost—historical precedent (Engels' pause); policies for transition: including retraining, economic growth, worker mobility, and income support.

Monitoring Technologies

Ways to monitor: Productivity; Wearable Devices.
Mechanisms of control: Direction (recommendations and restrictions); Evaluation (recording and rating performance); Discipline (replacing or rewarding workers).
Importance of privacy—right to choose what information to disclose and instrumental value of privacy.
Worker resistance (algoactivism): Individual resistance, collective organizing, discursive framing, legal mobilization.

AI and Politics

Discussion: Facebook/Cambridge Analytica scandal—targeting and manipulation of voters; concerns about privacy, data, and surveillance.
Political and philosophical preliminaries—instrumental justifications of democracy; reliable decision-making; improvement of participants' character; challenges to democracy.
Non-instrumental justifications—liberty and self-determination; public justification of policies; authority of democracy (Locke, Rousseau)—limitations.
Problem of democratic participation—solutions (elite theory, pluralistic interest groups, neo-liberalism).
Moral duties of democratic citizens—duty to vote; principled disobedience; compromise and consensus-building.
AI threats to democracy—disinformation, polarization, manipulation, deepfakes, deceptiveness—ways to mitigate
Opportunities for democracy—the case of Taiwan.

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Description

Explore the complex discussions surrounding automation's impact on human relevance, the inevitability of AI, global inequality, and principles of distributive justice. This quiz delves into various perspectives on how these elements intertwine, from utopian visions to moral equality. Test your understanding of these critical social theories and trends.