Ethical Implications and Accountability of Algorithms

Algorithms silently structure our lives. Algorithms can determine whether someone is hired, promoted, offered a loan, or provided housing as well as determine which political ads and news articles consumers see. Yet, the responsibility for algorithms in these important decisions is not clear. This a...

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Veröffentlicht in:Journal of business ethics Jg. 160; H. 4; S. 835 - 850
1. Verfasser: Martin, Kirsten
Format: Journal Article
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: Dordrecht Springer 01.12.2019
Springer Netherlands
Springer Nature B.V
Schlagworte:
Accountability
Algorithms
Artificial intelligence
Big Data
Business and Management
Business Ethics
Companies
Consumers
Delegation
Education
Ethics
Housing
Human dignity
Management
News
Original Paper
Philosophy
Quality of Life Research
Ethics
Algorithms
STS
Technology
Accountability
AI
Big Data
Artificial intelligence
Fairness
ISSN:0167-4544, 1573-0697
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Zusammenfassung:Algorithms silently structure our lives. Algorithms can determine whether someone is hired, promoted, offered a loan, or provided housing as well as determine which political ads and news articles consumers see. Yet, the responsibility for algorithms in these important decisions is not clear. This article identifies whether developers have a responsibility for their algorithms later in use, what those firms are responsible for, and the normative grounding for that responsibility. I conceptualize algorithms as value-laden, rather than neutral, in that algorithms create moral consequences, reinforce or undercut ethical principles, and enable or diminish stakeholder rights and dignity. In addition, algorithms are an important actor in ethical decisions and influence the delegation of roles and responsibilities within these decisions. As such, firms should be responsible not only for the value-laden-ness of an algorithm but also for designing who-does-what within the algorithmic decision. As such, firms developing algorithms are accountable for designing how large a role individual will be permitted to take in the subsequent algorithmic decision. Counter to current arguments, I find that if an algorithm is designed to preclude individuals from taking responsibility within a decision, then the designer of the algorithm should be held accountable for the ethical implications of the algorithm in use.
Bibliographie:ObjectType-Article-1
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ISSN:0167-4544
1573-0697
DOI:10.1007/s10551-018-3921-3