Two days ago, an interview with Cynthia Dwork, a computer scientist at Microsoft Research, explored how algorithms can end up making discriminatory decisions. The common perception that algorithms can process data and reach unbiased decisions, is wrong she claims. Biases can be introduced into algorithms by either their creators, who by writing the code to match … Continue reading Yes, an algorithm can be biased, racist and discriminatory
algorithm
The fairness of new loan startups
There is a myth that if a business collects lots of user data, creates a smart algorithm that can extract meaningful information from that data, and then monetizes that information, it can't go wrong. Smarter, targeted advertising is the most popular way to monetize reams of user data (see: Google, Facebook, etc) but two startups, Upstart … Continue reading The fairness of new loan startups
Recipe resources: why they suck and what can make them better
There are areas of the web, dark, dark areas, where misinformation is rampant and ratings count for nothing. Where you can look for help and find disaster. Where you can hope to make an impression on a loved one, and end up breaking up before the evening is over. Where SEO rules more than taste. … Continue reading Recipe resources: why they suck and what can make them better
We need to talk about Twitter
I've tried not to write about Twitter’s announcement from last week. I haven't seen the feature yet in my timeline (not available on Android or web yet) but I understand the concept is to highlight tweets about newsworthy events since the last time the user logged on. MarketingLand summarized: “Starting today on iOS apps… users … Continue reading We need to talk about Twitter
The difference between blaming the algorithm and blaming the product
A rather irate post on TechCrunch this morning blamed The Algorithm for an unwanted feature: the forced showing of unwanted birthdays on Google Calendar. I noticed this feature a few weeks ago when the birthdays calendar showed up uninvited and took up very significant space at the top of a day’s schedule to add birthday notifications. … Continue reading The difference between blaming the algorithm and blaming the product
Price gouging and relying on an algorithm to prevent fraud
A few hours after publishing yesterday’s post I stumbled upon two interesting articles that are relevant to Uber and the pitfalls of valuing an algorithm above everything. First, this opinion piece in the New York Daily News on the Uber Sydney’s surge pricing during the hostage crisis and when so-called “market forces” cross the line into price … Continue reading Price gouging and relying on an algorithm to prevent fraud
What it all boils down to 