AI Safety & Responsible AI
Proxy variable
A clue used instead of another characteristic, or one that indirectly reveals it.
Example
A person's location may indirectly reveal characteristics the AI was not explicitly given.
Why people use it
It helps people notice when one piece of information indirectly stands in for another.
What you'll hear
“Could this field reveal something we meant to leave out?”
What this means for you
Look for indirect clues when checking whether a system treats groups fairly.
Can you control it?
No
No direct control. This describes a wider issue, concept or result rather than something you can simply switch on or off in a tool.
Common questions
- Does excluding a sensitive field remove every related signal?
- No. Other variables may act as proxies.
- Can location indirectly reveal another characteristic?
- Yes. Where someone lives can be associated with other characteristics.
- Is this indirect use always intentional?
- No. An AI system can learn an indirect relationship even when nobody explicitly requested it.