Mitigating Unwanted Bias With Proper Prompting for AI Assistants

As AI assistants grow more capable, thoughtfully minimizing biases through prompt engineering becomes increasingly important. Biases can subtly creep into AI systems, undermining their reliability and resulting in harmful recommendations. In this post, I’ll share bias mitigation tactics to craft more ethical, responsible prompts.

As an AI ethics consultant, I work closely with companies to audit their prompts and systems for potential issues. With conscientious prompting strategies, we can steer conversations in an inclusive, just direction. Let’s explore prompt engineering best practices for mitigating unwanted bias.

Where Biases Can Arise in AI Systems

First, a quick primer on how biases manifest in AI:

• Training data reflects societal biases – AI mimics what it learns
  
  
• Word associations perpetuate stereotypes – e.g. certain careers with certain genders
  
  
• Surface correlations form misleading biases – ice cream and drownings correlating
  
  
• Limited perspectives represented – needs diverse training sources
  
  
• Poorly crafted prompts introduce bias – peppering prompts with exclusionary framing
  
  

These roots of bias get baked into AI outputs unless addressed proactively.

Why Proactively Mitigating Bias Matters

You may wonder – if the AI makes biased suggestions, can’t users just ignore them? The issue runs deeper:

• Biased outputs spread misinformation – fact-checking is difficult
• Normalization of subtle biases desensitizes us over time
• Biased framing limits imagination – constrains creativity
• It is our duty as creators to maximize benefits and minimize harms
• Exclusionary AI discourages underrepresented groups from participating

Though challenging, striving for equitable AI is essential.

Core Prompting Strategies for Mitigating Unwanted Bias

The good news is prompt engineering gives us tools to tackle bias at the source:

###Use Inclusive Framing

• Gender-neutral language – “person”, not “man”
• Avoid stereotypical roles and attributes
• Provide diverse example perspectives
  
  

###Introduce Friction Against Unfairness

• Ask the AI to justify or rethink concerning suggestions
• Have the AI argue against its own potential biases
• Solicit feedback on how to make outputs more ethical
  
  

###Reinforce Virtues

• Explicitly reward fairness, empathy, compassion
• Prime integrity, honesty, and care for all people
  
  

Thoughtful prompting reduces risks of inadvertent bias.

Prompt Templates That Promote Diversity and Inclusion

Here are some sample templates taking a proactive approach:

“Please provide perspectives from diverse races, genders, ages, abilities, and backgrounds.”

“Offer historical context from multiple cultural viewpoints.”

“What are some potential blind spots or biases in conventional thinking here? How can we gain a more complete understanding?”

“How might we reframe this issue more inclusively and equitably?”

Adapt these templates to guide your AI interactions toward justice.

Prompt Prefixes That Establish an Equitable Foundation

Similarly, prefix each prompt by establishing expectations for fairness:

“Provide responses that promote understanding of all people and make no unjust generalizations.”

“Focus only on factual information and data-driven insights to avoid misleading stereotypes or assumptions.”

“Reply with compassion, nuance, and humility.”

Set the stage for unbiased outputs.

Example Prompts That Mitigate Bias Risks

Here are some full example prompts applying bias mitigation techniques:

“What historical achievements by women are overlooked? Please provide facts focused on their contributions.”

“Compare universal healthcare implementation between nations from the perspective of citizens with low incomes without making unsubstantiated assumptions.”

“Suggest strategies to make urban transportation infrastructure more accessible to people with disabilities, prioritizing inclusiveness and dignity.”

These prompts steer away from biases via inclusive framing and context.

Ongoing Prompt Audits Help Spot Potential Biases

Like any ethical practice, fostering equitable AI requires ongoing vigilance. Regularly audit prompts for any concerning biases creeping in over time. Reviewing outputs with fresh eyes also catches subtle issues.

Make prompt optimizations and model retraining iterative processes informed by continual ethical reviews. Thoughtful prompting reduces, but does not eliminate, the need for vigilant monitoring.

The Nuance of Balancing Real-World Tradeoffs

Addressing biases inevitably involves grappling with complex real-world tradeoffs between priorities. Seek prompt phrasing that acknowledges nuances rather than simplistic solutions.

No approach will be perfect, but we must still actively pursue progress. There are always opportunities to update prompts to better align with ideals of justice and compassion.

Promoting AI for the Collective Good

At its best, AI can help us see each other more clearly, spread truth, and forge positive change. But reaching that full potential relies on prompt engineering that promotes the welfare of all people.

With conscientious effort, we can craft prompts that open minds, spark progress, and reflect our highest shared values. Small steps compound over time into something beautiful. I hope you’ll join me on this essential journey.