VPW: Ethical Issues in the Use of Computer Decision Models (Ethics/Computer Science)

计算机化决策模型越来越多地被用于公共和私营部门，以作出影响每个人的决策。养老基金是根据计算机模型进行投资的；医学院实习生根据计算机模型与医院相匹配；空中交通是根据计算机模型进行控制的；所得税法在模型的基础上发生变化；等等......。然而，那些基于计算机模型做出决策的人往往不理解模型中使用的算法或所做的假设。他们不能批判性地评估模型的输出。此外，受计算机模型影响的公众往往无法获得使用计算机模型做出的决策。因此，越来越多地使用和依赖计算机模型引发了重要的伦理问题。最严重的问题集中在使用模型对民主进程的影响，模型设计者对其客户和公众的责任，以及对通常隐藏在模型中的风险的处理。虽然近年来对计算机的社会影响和围绕计算机的伦理问题进行了大量的研究，但使用计算机决策模型所产生的伦理问题却很少得到解决。研究者将在识别和分析有关使用计算机模型的伦理问题方面进行合作。分析将导致对模型的设计和使用方式以及建模者在其专业角色中发挥作用的方式进行更改的建议。该项目进一步推进了VPW项目的目标，即通过研究为女性提供在科学或工程领域发展的机会，并通过研究者在主办校园中作为榜样的知名度提高，鼓励其他女性在这些领域追求职业。有助于第二个目标的拟议活动包括：举办讨论会；为女教师和女学生安排非正式讨论小组；教授或联合教授一门课程。

Computerized decision models are increasingly being used in the public and private sector for decisions that affect everyone. Pension funds are invested on the basis of computer models; medical student interns are matched with hospitals on the basis of a computer model; air traffic is controlled on the basis of a computer model; income tax laws are changed on the basis of models; and so on. Yet, often those who make decisions on the basis of a computer model do not understand the algorithms used, or the assumptions made, in the model. They cannot critically assess the model's output. Moreover, decisions made using computer models are often not accessible to the public that is affected by them. Hence, increasing use of, and dependence upon, computer models raises important ethical questions. The most serious issues center on the effects of the use of models on the democratic process, the responsibilities of the model designers to their clients and to the public, and the treatment of risk that is often buried in a model. While a good deal of research has been done in recent years on the social impact of computers and on the ethical issues surrounding computers, only rarely have the ethical issues arising from the use of computer decision models been addressed. The investigator will collaborate in identifying and analyzing the ethical issues surrounding the use of computer models. The analysis will lead to recommendations for change in the way models are designed and used, and in the way modelers function in their professional roles. This project furthers VPW program objectives to provide opportunities for women to advance their careers in science or engineering through research, and to encourage other women to pursue careers in these areas through the investigator's enhanced visibility as a role model on the host campus. The proposed activities which contribute to the second objective include: presenting seminars; arranging informal discussion groups for women faculty and students; and teaching/co-teaching a course.