Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Curb Algorithmic Bias

Lawmakers want to make sure the algorithms companies use to target ads, recruit employees and make other decisions aren't inherently biased against certain people. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Cory Booker, D-N.J., on Wednesday introduced legislation that would require organizations to assess the objectivity of their algorithms and correct any issues might unfairly skew their results. As society depends on tech to make increasingly consequential decisions, the Algorithmic Accountability Act aims to create a level playing field for people of all backgrounds. Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., introduced a companion bill in the House. Under the act, the Federal Trade Commission would compel companies to test both their algorithms and training data for any shortcomings that could lead to biased, inaccurate, discriminatory or otherwise unfair decisions.