Viw Magazine

The Times Real Estate

.

  • Written by Lewis Mitchell, Senior Lecturer in Applied Mathematics, University of Adelaide
Bias in, bias out: many algorithms have inherent design problems. Vintage Tone/Shutterstock

I swear by Hypatia, by Lovelace, by Turing, by Fisher (and/or Bayes), and by all the statisticians and data scientists, making them my witnesses, that I will carry out, according to my ability and judgement, this oath and this indenture.

Could this be the first line of a “Hippocratic Oath” for mathematicians and data scientists? Hannah Fry, Associate Professor in the mathematics of cities at University College London, argues that mathematicians and data scientists need such an oath, just like medical doctors who swear to act only in their patients’ best interests.

“In medicine, you learn about ethics from day one. In mathematics, it’s a bolt-on at best. It has to be there from day one and at the forefront of your mind in every step you take,” Fry argued.

But is a tech version of the Hippocratic Oath really required? In medicine, these oaths vary between institutions, and have evolved greatly in the nearly 2,500 years of their history. Indeed, there is some debate around whether the oath remains relevant to practising doctors, particularly as it is the law, rather than a set of ancient Greek principles, by which they must ultimately abide.


Read more: A code of ethics in IT: just lip service or something with bite?


How has data science reached the point at which an ethical pledge is deemed necessary? There are certainly numerous examples of algorithms doing harm – criminal sentencing algorithms, for instance, have been shown to disproportionately recommend that low-income and minority people are sent to jail.

Similar crises have led to proposals for ethical pledges before. In the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis, a manifesto by financial engineers Emanuel Derman and Paul Wilmott beseeched economic modellers to swear not to “give the people who use my model false comfort about its accuracy. Instead, I will make explicit its assumptions and oversights.”

Just as prejudices can be learned as a child, the biases of these algorithms are a result of their training. A common feature of these algorithms is the use of black-box (often proprietary) algorithms, many of which are trained using statistically biased data.

In the case of criminal justice, the algorithm’s unjust outcome stems from the fact that historically, minorities are overrepresented in prison populations (most likely as a result of long-held human biases). This bias is therefore replicated and likely exacerbated by the algorithm.

Machine learning algorithms are trained on data, and can only be expected to produce predictions that are limited to those data. Bias in, bias out.

Promises, promises

Would taking an ethical pledge have helped the designers of these algorithms? Perhaps, but greater awareness of statistical biases might have been enough. Issues of unbiased representation in sampling have long been a cornerstone of statistics, and training in these topics may have led the designers to step back and question the validity of their predictions.

Fry herself has commented on this issue in the past, saying it’s necessary for people to be “paying attention to how biases you have in data can end up feeding through to the analyses you’re doing”.

But while issues of unbiased representation are not new in statistics, the growing use of high-powered algorithms in contentious areas make “data literacy” more relevant than ever.

Part of the issue is the ease with which machine learning algorithms can be applied, making data literacy no longer particular to mathematical and computer scientists, but to the public at large. Widespread basic statistical and data literacy would aid awareness of the issues with statistical biases, and are a first step towards guarding against inappropriate use of algorithms.


Read more: Algorithms are everywhere but what will it take for us to trust them?


Nobody is perfect, and while improved data literacy will help, unintended biases can still be overlooked. Algorithms might also have errors. One easy (to describe) way to guard against such issues is to make them publicly available. Such open source code can allow joint responsibility for bias and error checking.

Efforts of this sort are beginning to emerge, for example the Web Transparency and Accountability Project at Princeton University. Of course, many proprietary algorithms are commercial in confidence, which makes transparency difficult. Regulatory frameworks are hence likely to become important and necessary in this area. But a precondition is for practitioners, politicians, lawyers, and others to understand the issues around the widespread applicability of models, and their inherent statistical biases.

Ethics is undoubtedly important, and in a perfect world would form part of any education. But university degrees are finite. We argue that data and statistical literacy is an even more pressing concern, and could help guard against the appearance of more “unethical algorithms” in the future.

Lewis Mitchell works for the University of Adelaide, and is an Associate Investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS). He receives funding from the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, and has previously received funding from Data to Decisions CRC.

Joshua Ross works for the University of Adelaide and is an Associate Investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS). He receives funding from ARC, NHMRC, Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, DST Group and US-DoD.

Authors: Lewis Mitchell, Senior Lecturer in Applied Mathematics, University of Adelaide

Read more http://theconversation.com/a-hippocratic-oath-for-data-science-well-settle-for-a-little-more-data-literacy-122200

Why Electrical and Gas Safety Checks Are Essential for Victorian Homes

We all use electricity and gas every day, but sometimes we forget just how dangerous they can be if they’re not taken care of properly. ...

The Complete Guide to Electrical Services and Commercial Refrigeration Perth

In Perth's commercial sector, professional refrigeration and electrical services are essential, especially in the extreme climate of Weste...

Why Roller Blinds Are a Perfect Fit for Modern Homes

As simple design rises, people care more about window treatments. They prefer elegant lines. Roller blinds can combine style and functio...

How to Choose the Perfect Shade Sails for Your Outdoor Space in Melbourne

Shade sails are a practical, popular solution. So, they are common in outdoor spaces. They protect backyards from the sun. Outdoor shade...

Discover Hidden Gems in Luxury Hotels

In a world full of glossy brochures and filtered photos, finding real insight into top hotels can be tricky. That's why we’re going beyo...

Is Turkey Safe for Surgery? A Guide to Medical Tourism

In recent years, Turkey has emerged as one of the most popular destinations for medical tourism, offering high-quality healthcare at a f...

Empowering Women in the Workplace: Best Women’s Workwear Options

The achievements of women are just awesome nowadays. They are leading in various industries and breaking barriers. They are living their d...

Zinzenova.com Review (not a scam) Solid Platform in Canada and Australia

This detailed Zinzenova.com review explores its offerings, account types, investment instruments, and user testimonials to provide a com...

Upgrade Your Home Comfort with a Luxurious U-Shape Sofa

Creating a home that blends consolation, capability, and fashion is a intention for plenty homeowners. Central to this modification is dec...

What Makes a Chocolate Bar Healthy?

By fusing delight and nutrition healthy chocolate bars have transformed snacking and provided consumers who are concerned with their hea...

Buying in these Three Suburbs? This Open Home Hot Tip Could Save You Thousands

When looking at open homes, it’s important to note the drainage, storm and roof water, and flood zones. With the multiple floods over ...

Enhancing Safety with Clear Parking Lot Line Marking

In public and commercial locations car park line markings in Brisbane guarantee nicely organised parking spaces, improving safety and e...

Surprising Causes of Hair Loss You Might Not Know About

Australians, like anyone else, may face hair loss due to genetics, but it’s the unexpected culprits (things like nutrient deficiencies, ...

Understanding The Importance Of Pharmacy Vaccine Refrigerators

In the highly specialised healthcare sector, ensuring the potency of vaccines is paramount. This responsibility heavily rests on the tools...

The Benefits of Partnering with an Experienced WooCommerce Web Developer

WooCommerce is a popular platform for building online stores that offers flexibility, scalability and a wide range of customisation option...

Upskilling - Is the RPL Process Worth the Savings?

Before you can start the Recognition of Prior Learning Process, you need to undertake the assessment to find out whether you're an eligibl...

Styling the Half Zip Jumper: A Versatile Wardrobe Staple

Half zip jumper is now the need to enjoy winter with style. This is the most comfortable clothing. As the temperature gets down, you may f...

How Professional Removalists Help With Moving House: A Comprehensive Guide

Moving house ranks among life's most stressful experiences. While some brave souls attempt the DIY approach, professional removalists offe...

What is Defensive Driving and Why It Matters

Drivers who take defensive driving classes learn how to foresee and steer clear of any road hazards. They concentrate on methods that incr...

Understanding AED: The Life-Saving Medical Device Explained

When an emergency strikes, seconds matter. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can occur without warning, and when it does, immediate action is vi...