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recent bookmarks from jm“Racist algorithms” and learned helplessness2016-04-07T15:39:02+00:00
https://algorithmicfairness.wordpress.com/2016/04/06/racist-algorithms-and-learned-helplessness/
jmWhenever I’ve had to talk about bias in algorithms, I’ve tried be careful to emphasize that it’s not that we shouldn’t use algorithms in search, recommendation and decision making. It’s that we often just don’t know how they’re making their decisions to present answers, make recommendations or arrive at conclusions, and it’s this lack of transparency that’s worrisome. Remember, algorithms aren’t just code.
What’s also worrisome is the amplifier effect. Even if “all an algorithm is doing” is reflecting and transmitting biases inherent in society, it’s also amplifying and perpetuating them on a much larger scale than your friendly neighborhood racist. And that’s the bigger issue. [...] even if the algorithm isn’t creating bias, it’s creating a feedback loop that has powerful perception effects.
]]>feedback bias racism algorithms software systems societyhttps://pinboard.in/https://pinboard.in/u:jm/b:0ea691a533c7/