February 20th, 2024
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The Rebel Tech Newsletter is our safe place to critique data and tech algorithms, processes, and systems. We highlight a recent data article in the news and share resources to help you dig deeper in understand how our digital world operates. DataedX Group helps data educators, scholars and practitioners learn how to make responsible data connections. We help you source remedies and interventions based on the needs of your team or organization.

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IN DATA NEWS

“Don’t let uncertainty stop you from crafting an AI policy that ensures AI’s ethical and responsible use. Here are four tips to help you draft your next policy: Align Your AI Policy With Your Existing Policies, Learn Data Literacy Skills, Communicate Clearly With Visuals, and Regularly Update Company AI Policies.”

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There are 3 key contributions shared in how Olga V. Mack encourages the adoption of AI policy in the workplace.

1. Olga gives us numbers on the scale of the workplace’s AI unpreparedness. The percentages range from an absolutely abysmal 13% to an unimpressive 37%, depending on the survey. What’s clear is that these companies are lost in how to use AI. And using AI responsibility is a secondary concern.
2. Olga emphasizes the need for data literacy over AI literacy. Spot on! For years, my sentiments have been “data fuels algorithms that make tech”. Many people want to discuss AI – both predictive and generative – but overlook where AI gets its input. That’s the data piece. Data is a huge contributor to the success or failure of AI systems, tools, and platforms.
3. Olga emphasizes that AI policies need to be agile. Developing protocols around AI use as a living document mirrors how tech fills the gaps within their code. This phenomenon is a new revelation for the legal industry and it’s noticeably very uncomfortable for them. But since tech is moving so fast and the law is moving so slow, AI policies can help bridge the gap to suggest actionable interventions.

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Before you develop an AI policy, partner with a data literacy expert and increase your own understanding. The topics you want to deepen your knowledge about include data ethics, data quality, data privacy, data accountability, data governance, and equity-based data operations blueprints. It’s critical to understand the broad set of technical, social & political aspects of quality management and how automation is changing the concepts and expectations concerning privacy and the increasingly interconnected issue of security. And this would be a good starting point. For a more comprehensive list of resources, check out my Responsible AI Learning List for 2024 on Medium.

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"Algorithms aside we’ve hit a ceiling in what tech can and should do. The rest is up to us: to prioritize our dignity, for our humanity." pg 256 Data Conscience

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​HAPPENINGS & APPEARANCES

• It’s exciting to be the official point of contact representing TRAILS for the newly recognized SIG Ethics & Trustworthiness under AIVO (Artificial Intelligence Virtual Organizations).
• The BWD Streams of Income cohort participants are generating leads for their SHEs (side-hustle enterprises) and several have secured contracts. I’m one happy data business coach!
• This week, I’m looking forward to my “Bias in AI: Understanding How it Shows Up” webinar with the Cohesity team!

LAUGHING IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL

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Stay Rebel Techie,

Dr. Brandeis

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