The Fallacy of Automated Decision Making: The Pitfalls of Over-Reliance on Random Algorithms.
In recent years, we have witnessed an explosion in the use of automated decision-making systems powered by random algorithms. These systems are being used to make decisions in a wide range of domains, from finance to healthcare to education. The idea behind these systems is that by removing human biases and subjectivity, they can produce more objective and accurate results. However, the reality is far more complex.
The first problem with automated decision-making systems is that they are only as good as the data they are fed. If the data is biased or incomplete, the system will produce biased or incomplete results. For example, if a hiring algorithm is trained on a biased dataset, it will perpetuate the same biases in its hiring decisions. This can lead to discrimination and unfairness.
The second problem is that these systems can be difficult to interpret and explain. This is because they are often based on complex algorithms that are difficult to understand, even for experts in the field. This can lead to a lack of transparency and accountability. If a decision is made by an algorithm, it can be difficult to understand how that decision was arrived at, and whether it was fair and just.
The third problem is that automated decision-making systems can be gamed. This is because they are often designed to optimize for a specific metric, such as profit or efficiency. This can lead to perverse incentives, where actors in the system try to game the algorithm to maximize their own benefit, even if that comes at the expense of others.
Overall, the use of automated decision-making systems powered by random algorithms is not a panacea for the problems of bias and subjectivity in decision making. Rather, it is a complex and nuanced issue that requires careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks. While these systems can be useful in some contexts, they should not be relied upon as a silver bullet for solving all decision-making problems. Instead, they should be used in conjunction with human judgment and oversight, to ensure that decisions are fair, transparent, and just.