Disparate Impact

Disparate Impact

Disparate impact occurs when an AI system, though neutral on its surface, disproportionately affects certain groups in a negative way. This form of bias may not be intentional, but it can result in significant harm, especially in areas like hiring, lending, or law enforcement. Even when an AI model doesn’t explicitly factor in attributes like race or gender, patterns in the data may still lead to unequal outcomes. Identifying and mitigating disparate impact is essential for creating AI systems that are fair and equitable for all.