What AI can teach us about human bias in decision making: The collective power of diversity

What AI can teach us about human bias in decision making: The collective power of diversity

In a world where decision making is crucial, we often rely on our own biases and limited knowledge. Our understanding of others is often limited to those who have had similar life experiences. This can lead to a lack of diversity in perspectives, which can be detrimental to society as a whole. One example of this is the lack of women's participation in clinical trials, which is a result of the long-held belief that the male perspective is the norm. Gatekeepers in the medical field, such as doctors, surgeons, policy makers, and medical researchers, are predominantly male, and their viewpoints have become entrenched in the way we approach medicine.

To address this issue, we need to actively pursue diversity. The way we see the world is shaped by our personal experiences, and it is important to seek out diverse perspectives of people who are wired differently due to their alternative life experiences. Just as in the field of artificial intelligence, where the ensemble method harnesses cognitive diversity, we can learn from this approach to improve decision making. The ensemble method works by dividing an existing dataset into small samples, which can then independently train different algorithms at the same time. These algorithms may be weaker on their own and make more errors, but when their results are aggregated, the collective insight is far superior to that of a single algorithm trained with all the data at once. This is because algorithms tend to make different types of errors and learn from each other, resulting in co-evolution and improved performance.

The power of diversity lies in the complementary strengths and weaknesses of different perspectives. When making predictions on new, unseen data, a diverse set of algorithms has superior performance. Similarly, humans need to actively seek out diverse perspectives to build a better, more accurate picture of the truth and make better decisions for society.

To actively pursue diversity, companies must have both exploration and exploitation. While exploration involves trying new things and seeking out diverse perspectives, exploitation involves leveraging existing knowledge and experiences. In industries that are turbulent and changing quickly, such as the pharmaceutical and technology industries, there is a greater orientation towards learning and a higher likelihood of paying attention to diversity.

Incorporating diverse perspectives can lead to valuable insights and innovative solutions. It allows us to challenge our own biases and expand our understanding of the world. To encourage diversity, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Actively seek out diverse perspectives: Engage with people who have different backgrounds, experiences, and ways of thinking. This can be done through networking events, mentorship programs, or participating in diverse communities.

2. Embrace discomfort: Stepping out of your comfort zone and engaging with perspectives that challenge your own can be uncomfortable. Embrace this discomfort and see it as an opportunity for growth and learning.

3. Foster an inclusive culture: Create an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and encouraged. This can be done by promoting diversity in hiring practices, providing training on unconscious bias, and creating opportunities for diverse voices to be heard.

By actively pursuing diversity, we can harness the collective power of different perspectives and make better decisions for society. Just as AI algorithms benefit from co-evolution and cognitive diversity, humans can learn from this approach to improve decision making and create a more inclusive world.