Data Science Ethics Book Club #3: Consequences of AI for Society

Welcome to the third ethics bookclub! :)

This time we read more about how AI acts in society and what consequences there can be in terms of social injustice. The book is easy to digest and highly recommeded. And even if you don't have the time we have some articles and short videos that introduce you to the topic (READING LIST - see below).

Why are we doing this?
AI concerns us all, mostly through AI algorithms. This is why it's important to have a public discussion about ethics and the impacts of these tools. The topic is hard to grasp, especially if you're not working in the field - in the bookclub we talk about them and raise some awareness of what is happening in our world.

Do I need to be a data sicentist?
No! Part of the idea is to convey knowledge and just have a nice conversation about the topics. The reading material is mostly for non-techies, some is for people that already know more. The main goal is to have a nice discussion about the topic, get to know people and to learn something new.

READING LIST
Main book: "Automating Inequality" (Virginia Eubanks)

Book review: (in case you don't have time for the book)
https://www.epicpeople.org/automation-otherwise/

READS
Quick reads

• Article: "Looking at AI-focused Case Studies", Yash Mittal. About policy differences concerning AI/data science in the US and EU: https://towardsdatascience.com/looking-at-ai-focused-case-studies-139e0bb98ff5
• Article: "AI could be a force for good – but we’re currently heading for a darker future", Marcus Tomalin, Stefanie Ullmann.
  https://theconversation.com/ai-could-be-a-force-for-good-but-were-currently-heading-for-a-darker-future-124941
• Article: "Don’t let industry write the rules for AI", Yochai Benkler. About how industry might conflict with AI research: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-01413-1

A little longer

• Interview: Stuart Russell, "Concerns of an Artificial Intelligence Pioneer". About AI and human values:
  https://www.quantamagazine.org/artificial-intelligence-aligned-with-human-values-qa-with-stuart-russell-20150421

• Introductory article: "Big Data, Machine Learning, and the Social Sciences: Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency", Hanna Wallach
  https://medium.com/@hannawallach/big-data-machine-learning-and-the-social-sciences-927a8e20460d

VIDEOS
Short watch (10-20min)

• Interview: Virginia Eubanks, about "Automating Inequality" (book)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85POpWOvscI
• TED Talk: "The danger of AI is weirder than you think", Janelle Shane. About why it's so hard to properly use AI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhCzX0iLnOc
• TEDx Talk: "The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Society", Terah Lyons. About policies/government and AI:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOh5XqVGW5M

Longer watch (1h)

• Talk: Kate Crawford (AI Now Institute) on "Social and Political Questions for AI": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2IT7gWBfaE (worth watching!)

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I have a brilliant idea for reading material/a theme! Who do I tell?
We love suggestions! Tell us at dataforgoodgr @ gmail.com