What is an “algorithm”? It depends whom you ask

In a recent MIT Tech Review op-ed, Kristian Lum examines the effect of unclear definitions of the term “algorithm” and emphasizes that focus on these systems should be shifted from their design to their impact.

• Computer and Information Science

Who Should Stop Unethical A.I.?

At artificial-intelligence conferences, researchers are increasingly alarmed by what they see. Michael Kearns and Aaron Roth comment on some of the challenges in the self-regulated world of AI, especially when it comes to bias and the application of AI in recognition and identity, in this recent New Yorker article.

• Computer and Information Science

Women in Data Science Podcast: Kristian Lum

Kristian Lum describes how following her interests has led her on an everchanging career path across business, public service, and academia on this episode of the WiDS Podcast.

• Computer and Information Science

The Ethical Algorithm: 2021 AAP PROSE Award Winner

Michael Kearns and Aaron Roth's book "The Ethical Algorithm: The Science of Socially Aware Algorithm Design" was announced as a 2021 PROSE Physical Science and Mathematics Category Winner in Computing & Information Sciences.

• Computer and Information Science

The Technical Limits of AI Ethics

Kristian Lum joins the Carnegie Council Audio Podcast to discuss efforts to bridge the gap between the "idealism" of AI ethics and the facts of life.

• Computer and Information Science

Moral Code

Pennsylvania Gazette contributor Daniel Akst spoke with Michael Kearns about what might make an algorithm ethical and how we can manage the tradeoffs this might entail.

• Computer and Information Science

Amazon Scholars Michael Kearns and Aaron Roth discuss the ethics of machine learning

Michael Kearns and Aaron Roth, two of the world’s leading experts on algorithmic bias, look back at the events of the past year and reflect on what we’ve learned, what we’re still grappling with, and how far we have to go.

• Computer and Information Science

Call for Grant Proposals on the Economics of Digital Services

Penn's Center for Technology, Innovation and Competition and Warren Center recently announced that they will fund grants to support research on the economics of digital services. The grant program encompasses research examining the issues raised by the economics of digital services from either an economic or legal perspective.

• Economics
• Law

The Ethical Algorithm

Algorithms have evolved into powerful engines of financial technology. But they don’t always live up to the hype, as algorithmic models fail to take account of basic societal concerns like fairness, privacy and bias. Fintech Beat sits down with Michael Kearns to find out what can be done to make algorithms “ethical.”

• Computer and Information Science

Kristian Lum on ACM ByteCast

Kristian Lum discusses her transition from math and statistics into computer science, and how her lab work in bioinformatics expanded her interest into social issues on this episode of ACM ByteCast..