AI for Everyone: Cornell’s Allison Koenecke

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become ubiquitous, influencing various aspects of daily life—from the applications we use to the algorithms guiding hiring decisions and healthcare processes. However, a pressing question emerges about the efficacy of these tools: what happens when AI doesn’t serve all users equally?

This pivotal inquiry drives the research of Allison Koenecke, the newest assistant professor of information science at Cornell Tech and the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science. Her pioneering studies have shed light on the disparities prevalent in speech-to-text technologies, which often misinterpret users with minoritized dialects or specific health conditions. Such inaccuracies can lead to significant real-world ramifications, especially in sectors like medicine and employment.

Koenecke’s work has garnered notable attention, being cited in legal cases such as the ACLU’s lawsuit against a hiring platform that inadequately accommodated a Deaf applicant. Furthermore, her research is referenced in investigative reporting, including an article from AP News discussing the risks of hallucinations in medical transcriptions. These examples highlight the importance of ensuring that AI technologies are developed with inclusivity and accuracy in mind.

For more insights into Koenecke’s groundbreaking research and its implications for equitable AI deployment, readers can visit the Cornell Tech website.