Bias Detective Investigation Sheet

Student Name:

_________________________________

Date:

_________________________________

Group Members:

_________________________________

Case Study Assigned:

_________________________________

Your Mission

You are a "Bias Detective" investigating how bias entered an AI system and what harm it caused. Use this worksheet to guide your investigation and prepare your group presentation. Answer all questions thoroughly, using evidence from your case study.

Understanding the System

1.1 What was the AI system designed to do? What was its purpose?

1.2 Who used this system? (Examples: courts, hospitals, employers, etc.)

1.3 How many people or how large was the system's impact?

Identifying the Bias

2.1 What bias or unfairness was discovered in this system?

2.2 How was this bias discovered? Who found it?

2.3 What specific groups of people were disadvantaged by this bias?

Investigating the Root Causes

3.1 How did bias enter this AI system? Identify at least TWO specific sources of bias.

Examples of bias sources: training data bias, sampling bias, proxy variables, design choices, feedback loops, etc.

3.2 Did this system learn from historical data? If so, what did the historical data reflect?

3.3 Were there any "proxy variables" - factors that indirectly represented protected characteristics like race or gender?

Analyzing the Impact

4.1 Describe THREE specific ways this bias harmed people:

Harm #1:

Harm #2:

Harm #3:

4.2 Did this bias make existing inequalities better or worse? Explain.

4.3 Were there any broader societal consequences beyond individual harm?

Proposing Solutions

5.1 What could have been done BEFORE developing the system to prevent this bias?

5.2 What could have been done DURING development and testing to catch this bias?

5.3 What should be done NOW to fix this bias and help those who were harmed?

5.4 Do you think this type of AI should continue to be used at all? Why or why not?

Key Lessons and Connections

6.1 What are the THREE most important lessons to learn from this case?

Lesson #1:

Lesson #2:

Lesson #3:

6.2 How does your case connect to broader issues of fairness and equality in society?

6.3 What ethical principles should guide AI development to prevent cases like this?

Personal Reflection

What surprised you most about this case? What will you remember?

If you could ask one question to the people who developed this AI system, what would it be?

What will YOU do to help create fairer AI in the future?

Preparing Your Presentation

Use your answers above to create a poster or slideshow presentation for the class. Your presentation should include:

Clear explanation of what the AI system did
Description of the bias that was discovered
Visual showing how bias entered the system
Examples of real-world harm caused
At least 3 specific solutions or prevention strategies
Key lessons learned
Engaging visuals (charts, diagrams, images)
Clear, organized layout

Presentation time: 3-4 minutes