In this interview, Professor Kalinda Ukanwa illuminates ways to screen for bias in consumer-driven algorithms, the importance of trust between business entities and consumers, and why it pays to correct biased algorithms, rather than leave them unchecked. Drawing an analogy to the automobile's evolution, she highlights the need for safety measures in AI development, showing that while biased algorithms might be profitable in the short term, they are detrimental in the long term, affecting consumer trust and company demand. She advocates for third-party oversight to align consumer and firm perceptions of fairness, referencing a case study on the Apple credit card controversy to illustrate how unfounded, biased perceptions can arise. She calls for interdisciplinary research to explore AI's broader implications and urged business leaders to thoughtfully manage AI's potential and risks, ensuring responsible integration of this new transformative technology. [...]

Professor Jay Lu studies behavior economics at UCLA, building models to better understand human behavior. In the following conversation, Professor Lu explores how companies can use algorithms in their consumer-facing activities, and where the pitfalls might appear. He explains the axes of accuracy and fairness, and how to negotiate between these two critical factors while optimizing algorithms. [...]

Professor Oren Reshef studies digital platforms and social inequality at Washington University in St. Louis’s Olin Business School. In this discussion, Professor Reshef reveals his findings on consumer demand for minority-owned businesses, and how business leaders can celebrate minority leadership for better results and consumer relationships. [...]

Professor Yan Chen studies behavioral market design at the University of Michigan. In conversation with BiGS, Professor Chen explores the impacts of social media on women in the job market, how powerful actors can address hiring biases by advocating for women candidates on digital platforms, and how to scale such interventions for widespread progress. [...]

In this edition, we address themes of self-image and identity and how we can celebrate ourselves in all our complexity while simultaneously enriching our careers. [...]