Ethical Machines

2

Bias

In Search of Fair AI

Person 1 and a friend were in a rush to pick up a child from school on time. In a foolish scheme to get there faster, they attempted to steal a bike and a scooter. Combined, the scooter and bike were worth $80, and both belonged to a six-year-old, whose mother saw the two people and yelled after them. Realizing this, the two quickly dropped the vehicles and ran off. Person 1 had previously been charged with four juvenile misdemeanors.

In another case, Person 2 stole tools from a hardware store worth $86.35. Previously, Person 2 had spent five years in prison for armed robbery and attempted armed robbery and was charged a third time for attempted armed robbery.

Suppose you’re a judge and you had to determine the risk ...