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Glossary of terms

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Accountability

The principle that ensures clear responsibility can be assigned for all decisions and actions throughout an AI system's lifecycle, from planning to decommissioning

Affinity bias

When someone prefers individuals who are similar to them in terms of ideology, attitudes, appearance, or religion

Agile

A project management and development approach that emphasizes flexibility, iterative progress, and collaboration

AI governance

The framework of policies, structures, and processes created to maximize the benefits of AI while minimizing its risks

AI literacy

The ability to understand, critically evaluate, and effectively interact with AI technologies, including knowledge of AI's capabilities, limitations, and potential impacts

AI PPM (AI Project Portfolio Management)

The centralized management of an organization's AI initiatives to meet strategic objectives by optimizing resource allocation, balancing risks, and maximizing value

Algorithm

A set of rules or instructions given to an AI system to help it learn, make decisions, and solve problems

Amplification bias

Occurs when several AI systems, each with separate biases, interact and mutually reinforce each other's biases

API (Application Programming Interface)

A set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other

Automation bias

When conclusions drawn from algorithms are valued more highly than human analyses

Cloud storage

The practice of storing data and applications on remote servers accessed via the internet, rather than on local computers

Coverage bias

A form of sampling bias that occurs when a selected population does not match the intended population

Data architecture

The overall structure of an organization's data assets and data management resources

Data bias

A type of error where certain elements of a data set are more heavily weighted or represented than others

Data cleaning

The process of detecting and correcting errors, inconsistencies, and inaccuracies in data sets

Data governance

The framework of policies, processes, and standards that ensure the effective management of data assets

Data literacy

The ability to read, understand, create, and communicate data as information, including understanding data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation

Data migration

The process of moving data from one system or storage type to another

Data mining

The process of discovering patterns and relationships in large data sets

Data set

A collection of related data points or information used to train AI systems

Data steward

A person responsible for managing and overseeing an organization's data assets

Data visualization

The graphical representation of data and information using charts, graphs, and other visual elements

Database

An organized collection of structured information or data

Deepfake

Synthetic media where a person's likeness is replaced with someone else's using AI

Deployment

The process of making an AI system or application available for use

Deployment bias

When a system that works well in a test environment performs poorly when deployed in the real world

Ethical principles

Guidelines that ensure AI systems respect privacy, transparency, accountability, fairness, and human autonomy while promoting societal well-being

Explainability

The ability for humans to understand and trust decisions, recommendations, or predictions made by an AI systems

Feedback loop bias

When the output of an AI system influences future inputs, potentially reinforcing existing biases

Generative AI

AI systems capable of creating new content (text, images, code, etc.) based on patterns learned from training data

HIC (Human-in-Command)

A comprehensive oversight approach that considers broader economic, social, legal, and ethical impacts of AI systems

HITL (Human-in-the-Loop)

An approach where a human mediates all decisions made by the AI system

HOTL (Human-on-the-Loop)

An approach where humans monitor AI system operations and can intervene when necessary

Infrastructure

The hardware, software, networks, and facilities that support an organization's IT operations

Intellectual property rights

Rights that protect the investment of rights-holders in original content, including copyrights and accessory rights

KPI (Key Performance Indicator)

Measurable values that demonstrate how effectively an organization is achieving key objectives

LLM (Large Language Model)

AI models trained on vast amounts of text data that can understand and generate human-like text

Linguistic bias

When an AI algorithm favours certain linguistic styles, vocabularies, or cultural references over others

Machine learning

A subset of AI that enables systems to learn and improve from experience without explicit programming

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

The ability of computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language

Neural network

A computer system modelled on the human brain, designed to recognize patterns

Open source

Software whose source code is freely available for anyone to inspect, modify, and enhance

Participation bias

A form of sampling bias that occurs when certain groups choose not to participate in data collection

Pilot project

A small-scale preliminary study to evaluate feasibility, cost, and potential issues

Privacy

The principle that AI systems should respect and protect personal data and information

Prompt engineering

The practice of designing and optimizing inputs to AI systems to generate desired outputs

Proxy bias

When variables used as proxies for protected attributes introduce bias into the model

RPA (Robotic Process Automation)

Technology that automates repetitive tasks through software robots

Robustness

The ability of AI systems to maintain reliable operation and withstand adverse conditions or attacks

Sampling bias

When data is not randomly selected, resulting in a sample that is not representative of the population

Shadow AI

The unsupervised or unsanctioned use of AI tools within an organization outside of its IT and cybersecurity framework

Shadow IT

The use of IT systems, devices, software, or services without explicit organizational approval

Stakeholder

Any person, group, or organization that has an interest in or is affected by an AI project

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)

A web-friendly vector image format that can scale without losing quality

Temporal bias

When training data becomes outdated and no longer represents current realities

Traceability

The ability to follow and monitor the entire lifecycle of an AI system

Training data

The initial data set used to teach an AI system to perform its intended function

Transparency

The communication of appropriate information about AI systems in an understandable and accessible format

Use case

A specific situation or scenario where an AI system or application could be used

XAI (eXplainable AI)

AI systems designed to be interpretable and understandable by humans


The Guidelines for AI in parliaments are published by the IPU in collaboration with the Parliamentary Data Science Hub in the IPU’s Centre for Innovation in Parliament. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International licence. It may be freely shared and reused with acknowledgement of the IPU. For more information about the IPU’s work on artificial intelligence, please visit www.ipu.org/AI or contact [email protected].

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