Who Made That Decision: You or an Algorithm?
Episode Description
When we buy something on Amazon or watch something on Netflix, we think it’s our own choice. Well, it turns out that algorithms influence one-third of our decisions on Amazon and more than 80% on Netflix. What’s more, algorithms have their own biases. They can even go rogue. In his recent book titled, A Human's Guide to Machine Intelligence: How Algorithms Are Shaping Our Lives and How We Can Stay in Control, Kartik Hosanagar, a professor of operations, information and decisions at Wharton, focuses on these issues and more. He discusses how algorithmic decisions can go wrong and how we can ensure we can control the way technology impacts decisions that are made for us or about us.
In a conversation with Knowledge@Wharton, Hosanagar notes that a solution to this complex problem is that we must "engage more actively and more deliberately and be part of the process of influencing how these technologies develop." 📂 Technology 🏷️ Research
Brief Summary
Karthik Hosonaga discusses algorithmic influence on decision-making and proposes an Algorithmic Bill of Rights for transparency and control.
Key points
- The Buzz Around AI. Karthik discusses the growing buzz around AI and its implications for decision-making.
- Chatbots and Human Interaction. Karthik shares striking examples of chatbots and their interactions with humans.
- Algorithms in Decision-Making. Karthik explains how algorithms influence our daily decisions, from shopping to dating.
- The Dangers of Autonomous Algorithms. Karthik highlights the challenges of algorithms making decisions without human oversight.
- Transparency in Algorithms. The necessity for transparency regarding data used in algorithmic decisions is emphasized.
- The Algorithmic Bill of Rights. A proposed framework to protect consumers from algorithmic decisions made by powerful tech companies.
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Episode highlights
- The Buzz Around AIKarthik discusses the growing buzz around AI and its implications for decision-making.“There's a lot of buzz around AI and machine learning.”0:52Mar 25, 2019
- Chatbots and Human InteractionKarthik shares striking examples of chatbots and their interactions with humans.“Xiao Weis has about 40 million followers in China.”3:07Mar 25, 2019
- Algorithms in Decision-MakingKarthik explains how algorithms influence our daily decisions, from shopping to dating.“Over 1/3 of choices on Amazon are influenced by algorithms.”8:31Mar 25, 2019
- The Dangers of Autonomous AlgorithmsKarthik highlights the challenges of algorithms making decisions without human oversight.“When we have limited control, we are less likely to trust algorithms.”19:51Mar 25, 2019
- Transparency in AlgorithmsThe necessity for transparency regarding data used in algorithmic decisions is emphasized.“We need transparency about the data used to make decisions.”23:53Mar 25, 2019
- The Algorithmic Bill of RightsA proposed framework to protect consumers from algorithmic decisions made by powerful tech companies.“Consumers need certain protections against powerful tech companies.”25:24Mar 25, 2019
- User Control Over TechnologyAdvocating for user control over technology to ensure privacy and fairness in algorithms.“We cannot be in an environment where we have no control over technology.”27:21Mar 25, 2019
