Toward Algorithmic Transparency and Accountability

Algorithms are replacing or augmenting human decision making in crucial ways. People have become accustomed to algorithms making all manner of recommendations, from products to buy, to songs to listen to, to social network connections. However, algorithms are not just recommending, they are also being used to make big decisions about people's lives, such as who gets loans, whose résumés are reviewed by humans for possible employment, and the length of prison terms. While algorithmic decision making can offer benefits in terms of speed, efficiency, and even fairness, there is a common misconception that algorithms automatically result in unbiased decisions. In reality, inscrutable algorithms can also unfairly limit opportunities, restrict services, and even improperly curtail liberty.