A MLK Day Reflection: Confronting Algorithmic Injustice with Responsible AI
In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring fight for civil rights, it’s crucial to address the modern battlefield of injustice: the digital space of algorithms. Just as a human body can be crippled by a malfunctioning heart, society is impaired when its technological ‘heart’ composed of algorithms operates unjustly. Algorithms, especially in the context of housing, have become like goalkeepers in a soccer match, deciding who gets to score the goal of homeownership or rental and who doesn’t. But unlike a fair game, these algorithmic goalkeepers can become so irresponsible that they (persistently) block opportunities for people of color in unjustifiable manners.
Drawing from Dr. King’s insights in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” we see that just as interconnected muscles and sinews contribute to the body’s movement, every aspect of our society is interwoven. When algorithms in housing unjustly deny opportunities based on race, national origin and other protected characteristics, they not only perpetuate economic injustice but also erode the very sinews of societal equity. This digital discrimination can place people of color in economic jails, not with bars made of steel, but with code and data, restricting their access to fair housing and economic prosperity.
Consider a soccer team where players are selected based on biased algorithms. The team’s performance would be not only unjust but also suboptimal. Similarly, when AI in housing unjustly filters out potential renters or homeowners based on protected attributes, it doesn’t just harm those individuals; it weakens the entire economic fabric of our society. The dream Dr. King spoke of — a dream where every individual is judged by their character [formed by their choices], not the [status of their protected attributes] — is distorted by these biased technological gatekeepers.
As we commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let us not forget that the battle for civil rights has evolved. It now requires us to dismantle these digital barriers and reform the algorithms that perpetuate unjust divides. Just as the human body functions best when all its parts work in harmony, our society thrives when justice and fairness are encoded into every aspect of our lives, from the just laws we follow to the algorithms that influence our daily decisions.
On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day let’s pledge to scrutinize and reform the algorithmic structures that impact housing and economic opportunities. Attending the National Fair Housing Alliance’s inaugural Responsible AI Symposium this week is another concrete pledge that you can make. In doing so, we honor Dr. King’s legacy, ensuring that our journey towards a more equitable society continues, not just in our physical world but in the digital space as well.
