AI0-001 AI Governance and Ethics Practice Question
A data scientist discovers that a model trained to predict loan defaults is denying loans at a higher rate for a particular demographic group. Which type of bias is MOST likely present?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse 'algorithmic bias' (a general term) with the specific root cause, failing to recognize that historical bias is the precise type when the bias originates from the training data rather than the algorithm itself.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Historical bias
Historical bias occurs when the training data reflects past societal inequalities, leading the model to learn and perpetuate those patterns. In this case, if historical loan data shows higher denial rates for a demographic group due to past discriminatory practices, the model will replicate that bias in its predictions. This is the most likely cause because the model is not inherently biased but inherits bias from the data it was trained on.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Confirmation bias
Why it's wrong here
Confirmation bias is a cognitive bias where humans favor information that confirms their preexisting beliefs; it is not a data bias.
- ✗
Selection bias
Why it's wrong here
Selection bias arises when the training data is not representative of the population; the scenario describes disparate impact likely due to historical patterns in loan data.
- ✗
Algorithmic bias
Why it's wrong here
Algorithmic bias is a general term; the specific source here is historical bias in the data.
- ✓
Historical bias
Why this is correct
Historical bias is present when the training data encodes past societal biases, which the model then amplifies.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This AI0-001 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the AI0-001 exam.