Inbuilt biases and the problem of algorithms

As the founders of the Institute for Ethical Artificial Intelligence in Education, we are appalled by the manner in which an algorithm has been used to decide students' A-level and GCSE grades (A-level results: No 10 hints algorithm set to be ditched in England, 17 August). The exam grading algorithm may not be sophisticated AI, but to be ethical it should still adhere to certain principles, including that it should impact positively on teaching and learning; be fair and explainable to the people on whom it impacts; and that it should use data that is not biased towards or against any particular group of people. The algorithm used this year to decide the grades for students who have worked hard in extremely difficult circumstances adheres to none of these principles. It is, without question, unethical and harmful to education in general and a significant number of pupils in particular. It is a gross abuse of the algorithmic approach.