AI engineering glossary · AI ethics law product
What is four-fifths rule?
Four-fifths rule (also called 80 percent rule): A rule of thumb from US employment guidance: if one group's selection rate is below 80% of the rate of the most favoured group, that suggests possible adverse impact. Engineers borrow it as a quick screening test on model outcomes, not as proof of discrimination.
Four-fifths rule: an example
If 50% of one group's applicants are hired and 35% of another's, the ratio is 0.7, which is below 0.8 and warrants investigation.
Related terms
More AI ethics law product terms
- GDPR
- General-purpose AI model
- Global explanation
- High-risk AI system
- Historical bias
- Homomorphic encryption
- Human oversight
- Implicit feedback
Where you learn it
Four-fifths rule is part of the AI Engineering Program, which teaches it with notes, a hands-on lab and an exam. The first lesson is free.