The Ethics of Computerized Decision Procedures: Uncovering Biases and Value Assumptions

这个项目的目的是探索当计算机决策程序(也可以被认为是计算机模型)应用于影响公共利益的决策时出现的伦理问题。这些系统已经变得无处不在；例如空中交通管制、森林服务规划、军事冲突模拟等等。这些模型的开发和使用带来了伦理问题，但这些问题往往被模型的技术性质所掩盖。在这个项目中，调查人员将研究两个现实世界的案例；一个是用于养老金计划决策的计算机决策程序(CDP)。这项调查将确定、分类和分析这些模式开发和使用过程中的伦理问题。它将寻找可能是许多模式共同的通用问题，并探索确保道德问题在未来得到解决的方法。该分析将审查设计师、决策者和公众面临的伦理问题。对于每个群体，将从不同的伦理理论和框架的角度进行分析，并确定其对行动的影响。这一过程可导致对建模者和建模人员的政策或程序的改变提出建议。例如，对家长式作风和同意的担忧将导致建议以对客户或用户透明的方式制定CDP。结果将包括在专业协会会议上发表演讲，并在适当的期刊上发表文章。这项提案的主题是伦理和价值观研究的最高优先事项。这些调查人员的资历和过往记录都非常出色。该项目为研究计算机模型开发和应用中的伦理问题的理论和方法提供了重要的考验。结果将对广泛的个人和团体有用。预算是适度的。建议支持这项建议。

The aim of this project is to explore the ethical issues that arise when computer decision procedures (which can also be thought of as computer models) are applied in decisions affecting the public interest. These systems have become pervasive; examples include air-traffic control, forest service planning, military conflict simulations, and so forth. The development and use of these models raise ethical issues, but these issues are often hidden by the technical nature of the models. In this project, the investigators will examine two real world cases; one will be computer decision procedures (CDPs) used in pension plan decision making. This investigation will identify, classify, and analyse ethical issues in the development and use of these models. It will search for generic issues that are likely to be common to many models, and explore ways to ensure that the ethical issues are addressed in the future. The analysis will examine ethical issues that arise for the designers, the decision makers, and the public. With respect to each group, analyses will be developed from the standpoint of different ethical theories and frameworks, and their implications for action will be identified. This process can lead to suggestions for change in policy or procedure for modellers and modelling. For example, a concern for paternalism and consent would lead to the recommendation that CDPs be developed in ways that are transparent to clients or users. Results will include presentations at professional society meetings and publications in appropriate journals. The topic of this proposal is of highest priority for Ethics and Values Studies. The qualifications and track record of these investigators are excellent. The project provides an important test for theories and methodologies to study ethical issues in development and applications of computer models. Results will be useful for a wide range of individuals and groups. The budget is modest. The proposal is recommended for support.