Fairness in the Age of Algorithms

Independent Project

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Project Description

An essay exploring the concept of fairness in machine learning, specifically in the contect of predictive policing tools such as COMPAS.

Skills

Research, Critical Thinking, Written Communication, Data Visualization

Tools

Microsoft Excel

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Motivation

Of all of the exciting work taking place in the field of data science, the machine learning algorithm (MLA) is one of the technological advancements that has garnered the most attention — and, to many, it is the area of data science that holds the most promise for the future. However, as with all powerful technologies, MLAs also carry the risk of becoming destructive forces in the world. In the words of Paul Virilio, a French cultural theorist who has written extensively about technology: “When you invent the ship, you also invent the shipwreck; when you invent the plane you also invent the plane crash; and when you invent electricity, you invent electrocution…Every technology carries its own negativity, which is invented at the same time as technical progress.”

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See the complete project on Medium.

Abridged version published in 97 Things About Ethics Everyone in Data Science Should Know: Collective Wisdom from the Experts by O'Reilly Media.