What are the main sources of bias in AI?

Author : first copy | Published On : 26 Feb 2026

Bias in AI can originate from several sources. Training data bias occurs when the data is unrepresentative or skewed, leading to biased model outcomes. Data labeling bias happens when human annotators introduce subjectivity or stereotypes. Algorithmic bias arises from the model's design or learning process, which can amplify biases in the data. Feature selection bias occurs when attributes correlated with sensitive characteristics (like race or gender) are used. Societal and historical bias is inherited from past inequalities present in the data. Deployment bias can emerge if the model isn't updated to reflect changes in real-world conditions. Finally, evaluation bias can occur if fairness isn't considered in performance metrics. Addressing these sources requires diverse data, careful design, and continuous monitoring.