AI Fails to Detect Depression in Black Meta Users, Reveals Racial Bias

Study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences underscores the risks of AI model training without diverse data.

A recent study reveals that AI tools are over three times less effective in detecting signs of depression in Black Americans' Facebook posts compared to their white counterparts.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlights the risk of training AI models without diverse racial and ethnic data.
Language patterns previously linked to depression, such as the use of first-person pronouns and self-deprecating terms, did not apply to Black individuals.
Researchers stress the importance of including diverse data in AI model training to avoid racial bias in healthcare-related tasks.
The findings underscore the need for inclusive technology and the challenges in creating unbiased AI systems.