Algorithms, Justice, and Social Inequality

 


Algorithms have transcended their initial role as mere computational tools, moving beyond the confines of technology companies' internal operations to profoundly influence critical decisions across diverse societal domains. Their impact is now evident in criminal justice, where they determine who receives bail and which neighborhoods are subject to heavier policing; in welfare distribution, shaping eligibility for vital benefits; in healthcare, influencing who receives life-saving medical care; in education, affecting access to resources and opportunities; and in credit, immigration, and housing, dictating who qualifies for loans, visas, or housing. While proponents often laud these systems for their promise of efficiency and objectivity, a growing body of evidence reveals a darker truth: they frequently reproduce, and in many instances, deepen existing racial, class, and gender inequalities.

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