{"id":231368,"date":"2021-04-20T18:48:32","date_gmt":"2021-04-20T15:48:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/us-companies-need-to-hold-themselves-accountable-for-racist-algorithms-or-the-ftc-will-do-it-for-them\/"},"modified":"2021-04-20T18:48:32","modified_gmt":"2021-04-20T15:48:32","slug":"us-companies-need-to-hold-themselves-accountable-for-racist-algorithms-or-the-ftc-will-do-it-for-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/us-companies-need-to-hold-themselves-accountable-for-racist-algorithms-or-the-ftc-will-do-it-for-them\/","title":{"rendered":"#US companies need to hold themselves accountable for racist algorithms \u2014 or the FTC will do it for them"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#US companies need to hold themselves accountable for racist algorithms \u2014 or the FTC will do it for them<\/strong>”
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The US\u00a0Federal Trade Commission has issued a stark warning to companies using sexist and racist algorithms:\u00a0hold yourself accountable \u2014 or the regulator\u00a0will do it for you.<\/p>\n

An official blog post<\/a> by staff attorney Elisa Jilson noted that the FTC Act prohibits the sale or use of racially biased algorithms.<\/p>\n

Jilson added that it\u2019s\u00a0illegal to use biased algorithms that lead to credit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or because a person receives public assistance.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to hold yourself accountable for your algorithm\u2019s performance. Our recommendations for transparency and independence can help you do just that. But keep in mind that if you don\u2019t hold yourself accountable, the FTC may do it for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Jilson expressly warned companies not to exaggerate what their algorithms do and whether they deliver fair results. Those that can\u2019t back up their claims with evidence are violating FTC rules.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe result may be deception, discrimination \u2013 and an FTC law enforcement action,\u201d she wrote.<\/span><\/p>\n

[Read:\u00a0The biggest tech trends of 2021, according to 3 founders]<\/em><\/p>\n

The rules could affect a vast range of businesses, from car manufacturers who overstate the capabilities of self-driving vehicles to AI hiring companies whose algorithms are built with data that lacks gender diversity.<\/p>\n

Ryan Calo, a University of Washington law professor, said the blog post signals a shift in how the FTC is thinking about enforcing the rules.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe concreteness of the examples coupled with repeated references to statutory authority is uncommon,\u201d he tweeted.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, it remains unclear how the FTC will assess algorithmic biases<\/span>.<\/p>\n

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This is a promising sign from the FTC, but much will depend on how racial bias is interpreted. For example, does it include underlying racist classifications in training sets? These classifications general<\/a>ly escape notice, which I investigate in #AtlasofAI<\/a> \ud83d\udc47 https:\/\/t.co\/px04frArwh<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Dr. Kate Crawford (@katecrawford) April 20, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Nonetheless, the blunt warnings about selling discriminatory AI systems and overpromising on their capabilities suggest stricter enforcement is impending.<\/p>\n

Greetings Humanoids! Did you know we have a news<\/a>letter all about AI? You can subscribe to it right here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n