Megane Masson – Contributor

The Bishop’s Forum, an intensive leadership week for English-speaking youth in Quebec, held its final panel on Aug. 14 at the Gait and Centennial lobby. The event was attended by peers, guest speakers, fellow observers and journalists. Participants discussed various issues facing the Quebec population, such as healthcare, education, language rights and equity amongst minorities. Individual groups presented their ideas and engaged in rebuttal-like sessions with feedback from judges, followed by questions from journalists. One notable presentation focused on workplace equity during their pitch, and addressed a journalist’s question about how implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) might counter human biases in the hiring process.

Shreya Savant, a Master’s student at Concordia University (whose thesis concerns AI), answered: “There is simply not enough research on the subject”. She explained that both AI and humans are biased in their ways: AI, being human-produced, is not developed with open-mindedness because humans are prejudiced. Therefore, AI bias towards minorities still exists. She explained that an AI model that is asked to draw a Canadian citizen will likely depict a white, middle-aged man with a flannel shirt and maple taffy, reflecting existing Canadian stereotypes. This bias means that non-stereotypical Canadians are 1.67 times more likely to be disregarded for job positions than their white counterparts, largely because they have “non-white-sounding names”. 

The human and AI bias issues must be tackled at their source. The team suggested reforming outdated policies concerning foundational hiring strategies, which have not been updated since 1998, according to l’Observatoire Québécois des Inégalités. Olivier Lamoureux and Bishop’s student Markayza Mitchell proposed implementing an intersectional framework. This approach considers multiple overlapping social identities (e.g., race, gender, ethnicity) to address systemic biases and promote equity in employment practices. Adopting this practice would significantly reduce preconceptions and racism in the workplace. Savant and her team stressed that hiring bias cannot be resolved by AI as long as humans are developing and controlling it: people and institutions need to change.

This presentation was one of many bright projects showcased during the Forum’s final banquet. The Bishop’s Forum provides a platform for young leaders to engage in meaningful discussions and develop actionable solutions to impact their communities positively. Students leave with enhanced leadership skills and broader perspectives. The continued support and development of such initiatives are crucial for cultivating a generation of leaders aware of the complexities of modern societal issues such as human influence over AI. The Bishop’s Forum stands as a testament to the power of youth engagement and the profound impact it can have on shaping a more equitable future.