Disparate access to benefits due to hardware, software, skill constraints
Due to differential internet access, language, skill, or hardware requirements, the benefits from LMs are unlikely to be equally accessible to all people and groups who would like to use them. Inaccessibility of the technology may perpetuate global inequities by disproportionately benefiting some groups. Language-driven technology may increase accessibility to people who are illiterate or suffer from learning disabilities. However, these benefits depend on a more basic form of accessibility based on hardware, internet connection, and skill to operate the system
ENTITY
1 - Human
INTENT
2 - Unintentional
TIMING
2 - Post-deployment
Risk ID
mit230
Domain lineage
6. Socioeconomic and Environmental
6.1 > Power centralization and unfair distribution of benefits
Mitigation strategy
1. Establish foundational digital equity by prioritizing investment in and policy development for **affordable, high-speed broadband infrastructure and access to hardware** in underserved communities globally. This addresses the "access divide" by ensuring the prerequisite conditions for technology utilization are met, potentially by treating connectivity as an essential public utility. 2. Develop and implement **comprehensive, culturally responsive digital literacy and skill-building programs** across diverse demographics. These programs are necessary to overcome the "use divide" by equipping all potential users with the proficiency required to effectively and safely interact with and derive benefits from sophisticated systems like Large Language Models. 3. Incorporate **equitable design principles and bias mitigation** into the development and deployment lifecycle of LMs. This includes rigorous analysis to prevent the perpetuation of socioeconomic or geographic biases (e.g., in educational or economic opportunity recommendations) and ensuring that user interfaces, language support, and delivery mechanisms are adaptable, simplified, and tailored to minimize skill, language, and resource constraints for all user groups.