Innovation
Extending the frontiers of UK science and industry
Responsible RAS Emeritus Professor Noel Sharkey discusses the importance of regulating robotics to manage discrimination caused by machine bias
D
iscussions around what is referred to as AI is spreading like wildfire across businesses. A recent survey showed that, while only 5% of major businesses use it, something like 85% are discussing the potential of computational and digital systems capable of carrying out actions without human intervention. How will automated decision-making affect business? Automated decision-making (ADM) systems are increasingly being used to assist resource hungry tasks. For instance, a company called Hiring You provides large companies such as Unilever with artificial intelligence software capable of interviewing candidates via their mobile phones. The candidate’s response to questions is recorded and 25,000 data points around tone of voice and expression are collected, assessed and scored against similarities with current employees who are already successful within the company. This information is used to decide whether to recruit the
Noel Sharkey EMERITUS PROFESSOR OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ROBOTICS, THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
Noel Sharkey is Emeritus Professor of artificial intelligence and robotics at the University of Sheffield and has appeared on the BBC Two television series Robot Wars and Techno Games, and co-hosted Bright Sparks for BBC Northern Ireland. He is co-founder and co-director of the Foundation for Responsible Robotics and chairs the International Committee for Robot Arms Control
R E A D O N L I N E AT: U K S PA . O R G . U K / B R E A K T H R O U G H
S P R I N G 2 0 18 | U K S PA B R E A K T H R O U G H | 3 3