Systemic Bias: Algorithms and Society
Systemic Bias: Algorithms and Society looks at issues of computational bias in the contexts of cultural works, metaphors of magic and mathematics in tech culture, and workplace psychometrics.
The output of computational models is directly tied not only to their inputs but to the relationships and assumptions embedded in their model design, many of which are of a social and cultural, rather than physical and mathematical, nature. How do human biases make their way into these data models, and what new strategies have been proposed to overcome bias in computed products?
The issue of systemic bias is perhaps the most well-known research area in studies on the impacts of algorithm design and implementation on society. The chapters in this volume chart new lines of inquiry into bias, expanding this theme into cultural works, tech culture and workplace psychometrics. Scholars and students from many backgrounds, as well as policy makers, journalists and the general reading public will find a multidisciplinary approach to inquiry into algorithmic bias encompassing research from Communication, Art, and New Media.
Chapter 1 — “From ‘Diversity’ to ‘Discoverability’: Platform Economy, Algorithms, and the Transformations of Cultural Policies” by Christophe Magis — examines semantic shifts from the guiding concept of cultural diversity to discoverability in the context of new streaming platforms and their recommendation algorithms. These shifts in meaning have important consequences for digital culture as they impact on policy, economic and political levels.
Chapter 2 — “Modern Mathemagics: Values and Biases in Tech Culture” by Jakob Svensson — examines tech culture mythologies termed mathemagics: a modern enchantment with software’s capacity to manipulate, control and spur progress in the world. Drawing on the 16th century philosopher-theologian Bruno, these magic metaphors promise to make possible the impossible, and risk the emergence of evil in the real world.
Chapter 3 — “Reading the Cards: Critical Chatbots, Tarot and Drawing as an Epistemological Repositioning to Defend Against the Neoliberal Structures of Art Education” by Eleanor Dare and Dylan Yamada-Rice — brings to light the increasing and problematic use of automated psychometrics in higher education including personality and behavioral metrics, facial recognition, sound analysis and eye tracking. These tools are increasingly being favored in the NeoLiberal University, and the authors urge resistance through specific creative methodologies.
This volume is in Routledge’s short form Focus format. As such, the series can be nimble and responsive to fast emerging issues and debates.
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