Text Bias Identification and Correction via Word Embedding Transformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing text processing technologies lack effective methods for identifying and correcting biases in text documents, which can lead to unfair or inaccurate representations of information, especially in contexts like financial reporting where increases and decreases are not equally highlighted.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of word embeddings and a bias detection model to compare a text corpus against a reference corpus, generating replacement text portions to remove biases by transforming embeddings to align with a global unbiased standard, while maintaining syntactic and semantic integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If word embeddings are used to represent text, then semantic understanding is improved, but bias in the text representations is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesemantic understandingVSAvoidbias in text representations
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary debiasing process between text embedding and usage. A transformation function acts as a mediator that converts biased word embeddings into debiased representations by adjusting vector positions in the embedding space while preserving semantic relationships. This intermediary step allows the system to maintain the benefits of semantic understanding while eliminating harmful biases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of word embeddings by transforming the embedding vectors themselves. The transformation function modifies the positional parameters of word vectors in the embedding space, adjusting them to remove bias while maintaining the semantic structure. This parameter transformation enables the system to switch from biased to unbiased representations dynamically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If text is processed to remove bias, then fairness is improved, but text meaning may be altered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefairness of representationVSAvoidtext meaning
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selectively transforming only the biased aspects of text representations while preserving the core semantic meaning. The transformation function identifies specific biased dimensions in the embedding space and adjusts only those components, leaving the meaningful semantic content intact. This localized approach ensures fairness improvement without losing text meaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor and preserve text meaning during the debiasing process. The system evaluates whether transformations maintain semantic integrity and adjusts the debiasing strength accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that fairness improvements do not come at the cost of altering fundamental text meaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If bias detection is implemented, then text accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetext accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the bias detection and correction process into distinct modular components: embedding transformation, bias detection, and debiasing transformation. Each component handles a specific aspect of the process independently, making the overall complex system more manageable and efficient. This segmentation allows for optimized processing at each stage rather than monolithic complex processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11675980B2Bias identification and correction in text documents
Publication Date: 2023.06.13 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US11675980B2 patent drawing
  • US11675980B2 patent drawing
  • US11675980B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method, computer system, and a computer program product for text bias identification and correction are provided. A first text corpus may be received. A designation of a second text corpus may be received. Words of the first text corpus may be embedded as a first word embedding in an embedding model. The first word embedding may be compared to a second word embedding in the embedding model to identify a first biased text in the first text corpus. The second word embedding may be from the second text corpus. A first replacement text portion may be generated as a substitute for the first biased text. The first replacement text portion may include a first unbiased text. The first biased text and the first replacement text portion may be presented.