Proxy Variable

A variable in an AI model that is correlated with a protected attribute and can inadvertently introduce bias even when the protected attribute is excluded from the model.

A sneaky stand-in for a protected attribute. For example, an AI might not use "race" directly, but if it uses "zip code"; which is closely linked to race in many areas; it can still discriminate indirectly.

Proxy variables are a hidden source of bias risk that can undermine your compliance efforts. Your AI governance processes should include systematic checks for proxy discrimination, particularly in high-risk decision-making systems.