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Machine Bias
Article

Machine Bias

There’s software used across the country to predict future criminals. And it’s biased against blacks.

ProPublica, 2016

автоматическое преобразование текста в аудио
автоматическое преобразование текста в аудио

Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Controversial
  • Analytical
  • Bold

Recommendation

Imagine a computer program that can predict if a criminal will strike again. Now, imagine that program isn’t accurate. ProPublica senior reporters and editors poke holes in one of the dozens of risk assessment programs that determine the fate of defendants across the United States. They found that one popular tool incorrectly flagged black defendants as likely reoffenders twice as often as it did for white defendants, exposing some to longer incarceration times. getAbstract recommends this revealing analysis to anyone enthusiastic or skeptical about the use of algorithms in the American judicial system. 

Take-Aways

  • At dozens of US courts, judges employ algorithmic risk assessments when they decide on a defendant’s bond and sentence length.
  • Research indicates that the tool incorrectly predicted black defendants would be reoffenders almost twice as often as it did for white defendants.
  • One popular tool assigns risk scores based on answers to 137 questions, including “Was one of your parents ever sent to jail or prison?” and “How often did you get in fights while at school?”

About the Authors

Julia Angwin, Jeff Larson and Lauren Kirchner hold senior reporting and editing positions at ProPublica. Surya Mattu is a contributing researcher.


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    N. P. 1 year ago
    Problem and dilemma is very clear and also mentioned some of the key important factors. It could still more be better with more key facts and little longer.
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    A. J. 6 years ago
    Thus, Machine Bias (that is, programmed bias) is simply an extension of faulty individual and societal biases; which are based on biased laws (still in existence) created with intent by biased individuals within that society for the dominant system to function as it does.

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