New York City moves to establish algorithm-monitoring task force

New York City may soon gain a task force dedicated to monitoring the fairness of algorithms used by municipal agencies. Formed from experts in automated systems and representatives of groups affected by those systems, it would be responsible for closely examining algorithms in use by the city and making recommendations on how to improve accountability and avoid bias. The bill, which doesn't have a fancy name, has been approved by the city council and is on the Mayor's desk for signing. The New York division of the ACLU has argued in favor of it. Say, for instance, an "automated decision system" (as the law calls them) determines to a certain extent who's eligible for bail.