Consequences of Unintended Design Bias

This case study explores how noninclusive engineering design teams can unintentionally produce biased, exclusionary, or even harmful technologies. The study, conducted by Carla Zoltowski and colleagues (2022), offers a literature review across various domains—including assistive technologies, safety equipment, medical devices, and digital systems—demonstrating that bias in design outcomes often stems directly from a lack of diversity in design teams.

Key examples include voice recognition systems that struggle with non-standard accents, crash test dummies modelled exclusively on average male bodies, and prosthetics that do not accommodate the skin tones or mobility needs of a wide range of users. These design failures are not isolated incidents, but rather systemic effects of who is—and is not—included in engineering decision-making.

The authors argue that noninclusive teams are more likely to overlook or mischaracterise the needs of minoritised and marginalised groups. They also note that while technical knowledge is crucial, it must be coupled with reflexivity—an awareness of how personal and cultural assumptions influence design decisions. Importantly, they call for a shift in engineering education to address these issues head-on, promoting inclusive design not as an add-on, but as a core competency.

This case clearly illustrates how unchecked bias within engineering teams can result in flawed or unsafe outcomes, and how greater inclusivity can lead to more innovative, equitable, and functional design.

Unintended Consequences When the Engineering Design Team Is Noninclusive: An Exploration of the Literature by Zoltowski et al.