How to Teach a Computer What ‘Fair’ Means

If humans are going to entrust big decisions to computers, how can they ensure that those computers act in humanity’s best interests? Amazingly, given the increasing power and pervasiveness of algorithms, it’s a question that researchers are only beginning to answer.

Algorithms specialize in prediction: Which way financial markets will move, who is likely to pay back a loan or commit a crime, what kinds of news and ads will attract a particular person. In doing so, they also shape the future. Computers that identify patterns in stock trading can cause flash crashes. Criminal risk scores can turn people into criminals. Facebook’s news feeds keep people engaged, but also promote outrage and even catalyze violence.