Test-Driven Ethics for Machine Learning

Machine learning (ML) applications and the organizations that develop them should be accountable. Proposed regulations require impact assessment and there are calls to strengthen enforcement of regulations for ethical business practice regulations.a Responsible organizations should implement a "test-driven ethics" development approach rooted in pragmatist discourse ethics and lessons from test-driven development. This approach extends the popular "principles" approach to ethics seen in industry, government, and the academy.2 Adopting ethical principles will not guarantee ethical actions or outcomes.