The perils of leaving important decisions to computer algorithms are pretty easily imagined (see, e.g., “Minority Report,” “I, Robot,” “War Games”). In recent years, however, algorithms’ job descriptions have only grown. They are replacing humans when it comes to making tough decisions that companies and government agencies prefer to say are grounded in statistics and formulas rather than the jumbled calculations of a human brain. Some health insurers use algorithms to determine who gets medical care and in what order of priority, instead of leaving that choice to doctors. Colleges use them to decide which applicants to admit. And prototypes…
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