Dimensions of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Abstract

This paper reports on the ACM SPLASH 2022 conference panel on the Software Profession Dimensions of DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion]. The panelists observed that increased awareness for the dimensions of DEI will help reduce inequity in systems and technologies. The panel further observed that there are dimensions of diversity to consider beyond age, color, gender, and physical ability. As technologists, we need to leverage diverse talents and perspectives, including by those who may not have in-depth domain knowledge or a university education specific to computer science or engineering. Panelists included academic researchers and industry practitioners: experts in human-computer interaction, teamwork, AI applications, systems design, and gender diversity issues. The hybrid organization of the panel enabled participants from Taiwan and North America to join the in-room Australian and New Zealand panelists. Panelists explored a variety of related topics, ranging from how software can cause harm to the risks of "unconscious bias" in R&D and the challenges of building diverse teams. Panelists shared observations that AI and ML systems can be negatively impacted by the bias inherent with inadequate or incomplete training data used to tune algorithms. The panel discussed and summarized questions to foster increased DEI awareness by software professionals, researchers, and community leaders.