Answer to Question #199531 in Philosophy for Arbish Naeem

Question

Do you agree with O'Neil's argument that many Big Data algorithms make the poor are particularly vulnerable to exploitation?

o Do you agree with O'Neil's argument that some of the algorithms promote discrimination especially in vulnerable population?

o Reference specific examples from the talks that affect people's lives due to algorithms that lead to bad decision making.

o Do you feel that current Big Data algorithms are better than the situation we had before where people were denied credit, parole and jobs for all sorts of whimsical decisions on the part of the human decision makers? 

Answer 1

4.     Yes. Big data algorithms have provided a better life than what was before. There is growth in areas of computer operations that have made life easier and attainable. We are in the era of algorithms, and the internet is made up of algorithms. The applications in our smartphones are an outcome of algorithms. Thanks to algorithms, the GPS enables people to move from one location to the next with the help of maps. Applying for universities, finding jobs, taking loans, and many other duties are facilitated by the help from mathematical strategies known as algorithms. Algorithms have taken over schools, the workplace, campaign and election processes, and even the courts. However, it is safe to say that injustices in our societies have been present, and the weapons of math destruction are not worse than people's perception of certain things. People in the first place brought the issues of race, discrimination, and inequalities. According to O’Neil, people's perception and thinking can change and evolve, unlike the weapons of math destruction that will need an engineer to alter the mathematical model's functioning. However, this will not be an easy or an immediate task; many years will be taken to change the models to fit an equitable and equal society (Birhane, 1).

Works Cited.

Abeba Birhane. The dark side of big data- how mathematical models increase inequality—my review of O'Neil's book 'WMD,' 2019.