Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

vrkas t1_ixdt60j wrote

Reply to comment by d4em in The Ethics of Policing Algorithms by ADefiniteDescription

At least the whole cabinet resigned in the Netherlands. In Australia a similar scheme was instituted, then found to be illegal, but the people administering it continued to be in government. The former social services minister even became PM.

Back to the point: I agree that great care needs to be used when trying these kinds of optimised, targeted computational methods.

32

zhoushmoe t1_ixedfln wrote

All the care in the world won't stop the biases inherent in our paradigm. There are built-in mechanisms of discrimination and inequality that the system as we know it optimizes for and are virtually impossible to remove from our current modus vivendi.

These books talk about the problem at length:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28186015-weapons-of-math-destruction

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34762552-algorithms-of-oppression

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34964830-automating-inequality

6

vrkas t1_ixee4sd wrote

Yeah for sure. In the two cases mentioned in the comments the ML-based bullshit isn't the actual cause of the trouble. The root is from the rampant starve-the-beast defunding and privatisation of governmental functions, along with negative neoliberal attitudes to social services. If you have a properly functional social service setup, you won't need any of this shit in the first place.

4

pitjepitjepitje t1_ixhafc9 wrote

The same guy who was PM during the scandal, offered himself up for reelection and won, so yes, the cabinet fell, but we’re still stuck with some of the responsible politicians, including the PM. Not contradicting you, but an (IMO necessary) addendum.

2