Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 6 Mar. (Europa Press) –
Carina Soledad González, a professor and doctor in Computer Science at the University of La Laguna, advocated on Thursday during a day focused on equality in the Canary Parliament for “Audit and Certification” processes to address the “gender biases” present within artificial intelligence. This technology is utilised in various public decision-making processes, including the distribution of aid.
González participated in the II Day ‘Parliament and Equality’ hosted at the Regional Parliament. The event was attended by its president, Astrid Pérez, various political representatives, and women distinguished in numerous professional areas.
In comments to the media, the computer science doctor elaborated on the inherent “bias” in the data utilised by algorithms, as this information is entered by programmers or developers of the technologies. She also highlighted that this technological tool has been in use for “quite some time” in making public decisions.
“For quite some time, algorithms have been advising and recommending us. What is the outcome? Frequently, errors arise in the decisions made, including in employment opportunities and, for instance, in issues related to gender violence,” noted the expert.
Consequently, she illustrated how these “biased” algorithms can erroneously discriminate in the realm of public assistance. She advocated for transparency, emphasising the need for citizens to be informed about the “percentage of decisions made by algorithms and the percentage that are not” within these processes.
In this context, the expert called for the formulation of public policies that tackle the issue, including the implementation of audits and certification in the utilisation of algorithms. “We now have a European artificial intelligence law that came into force on February 2, 2025, but we must ensure its proper enforcement,” she stated.
Beyond the political realm, the expert underscored the emotional toll associated with artificial intelligence, particularly through social media. She took the opportunity to raise awareness about the current usage of ‘Deepfake’ technology, which manipulates personal images and data, even posing risks related to AI-generated pornography.
