Report cover image

Bias in GenAI Systems: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Address It

Publisher IDC
Published Dec 23, 2025
Length 12 Pages
SKU # IDC20676930

Description

This IDC Perspective discusses bias in GenAI systems. GenAI's impressive capabilities have earned it a valued role in many organizations. It is answering questions, summarizing complex data sets, and speeding workflows. However, the presence of bias in GenAI output justifies caution in GenAI deployments.IT leaders should confront bias by learning about it and implementing effective bias mitigation strategies, rather than abandoning GenAI. GenAI biases fall into the categories of data, algorithmic, operational, drift, and confirmation. IT leaders should recognize each type and understand how to correct it.There are many good reasons to address bias, starting with an organization's own ethical guidelines. Local, state, national, and international laws, such as the EU AI Act, are coming onto the books, and violations could lead to significant penalties in addition to loss of customers, employees, and reputation. Audits for bias are a way to achieve regulatory compliance and in some cases are mandated by the new laws. Consultancies are becoming expert in bias audits and bias mitigation, while law firms are becoming expert in bias defense."Bias will not go away on its own. IT leaders must understand the risks of the biases they may face. Then they must evaluate, deploy, monitor, and adjust debiasing technologies on an ongoing basis," says Stanley B. Gibson, adjunct research advisor for IDC's IT Executive Programs (IEP)."Companies that effectively mitigate bias will have an advantage due to enhanced equity and resilience, marked by fair access to opportunity, stronger customer trust, accurate risk decisions, and safer operations that drive both innovation and long-term stability," says Kathy Lange, research director, AI Software at IDC.

Table of Contents

12 Pages

Executive Snapshot

Situation Overview

Understanding Bias in Generative AI

Why Bias in GenAI Demands Attention

Ethics: Laws, Regulations, and Liabilities

Internationally

The European Union AI Act

Brazil

Canada

In the United States

New York City

California

Colorado

Illinois

Bias Detection: Tools, Techniques, and Challenges

Bias Mitigation Approaches

Audits

Advice for the Technology Buyer

Strategic and Tactical Perspectives

Strategic Considerations

Tactical Actions

Learn More

Related Research

Synopsis

Search Inside Report

Pricing

Currency Rates
How Do Licenses Work?

How Do Licenses Work?

The primary function of a report license is to define how many people within a company are authorized to use the purchased report. This is separate to how a report might be delivered. Unless specifically identified otherwise, the purchase option is Single User. Below is a helpful description of that license, along with a sampling of others most commonly offered.

  • This license allows only one user to have access to and to use/read the report. It is not one user at a time or one user group; it is an individual who will be reading and utilizing the report.

  • This license allows for the entire purchasing company to read and use the report. This is the license level that would allow for a report to be placed on an internal company shared drive for access by all employees of that direct company. This license does not extend to parent or sister company use.

  • This license is designed to allow an entire department within a company full access to a report. The departmental license is a great option for companies that have more than one location and the department is spread out all over the country/world

  • This license is for companies that have one location where they want the report to be accessible by all employees within that physical location.

  • This is the most flexible of the licensing options. Some publishers will allow you to get a license for a preset number of people (typically 5). These licenses are ideal for small work groups.

License options are at the discretion of each publisher. As such, not all licenses indicated above are available for every product. If you are uncertain of the best license for your needs or would like a license that is not proactively available, please contact us and we will be happy to assist.

Request A Sample
Head shot

Questions or Comments?

Our team has the ability to search within reports to verify it suits your needs. We can also help maximize your budget by finding sections of reports you can purchase.
Chat Now
Contact Us