Building fairness into AI is crucial – and hard to get right

Bias in AI has been getting a lot of attention lately, but it’s just one aspect of the larger – and thornier – problem of fairness in AI.

Ferdinando Fioretto, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, University of Virginia • conversation
March 19, 2024 ~7 min

Is our sense of fairness driven by selfishness? We're studying the brain to find out

The preference for fairness emerges early in childhood, suggesting it is to some extent hardwired.

Patricia Christian, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet • conversation
Jan. 17, 2024 ~7 min


Including race in clinical algorithms can both reduce and increase health inequities – it depends on what doctors use them for

Biased algorithms in health care can lead to inaccurate diagnoses and delayed treatment. Deciding which variables to include to achieve fair health outcomes depends on how you approach fairness.

Anirban Basu, Professor of Health Economics, University of Washington • conversation
May 26, 2023 ~11 min

Fines for breaking US pollution laws can vary widely among states – that may violate the Constitution

A new study reveals wide disparities among state-issued Clean Water Act fines, and even among federal fines from regions to region. A law professor explains why it may be illegal.

Jerry Anderson, Dean and Professor of Law, Drake University • conversation
March 15, 2023 ~8 min

Does entitlement make you more likely to cheat? New research challenges popular psychology idea

People who have a strong sense of fairness are less likely to cheat.

Marta Mangiarulo, Teaching Fellow, Research Assistant, School of Psychology, University of Leicester • conversation
Aug. 16, 2022 ~7 min

Selfish or selfless? Human nature means you're both

Cognitive neuroscientists use brain imaging and behavioral economic games to investigate people's sense of fairness. They find it's common to take care of yourself before looking out for others.

Jean Decety, Professor of Psychology, and Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago • conversation
March 17, 2021 ~10 min

The urge to punish is not only about revenge – unfairness can unleash it, too

Unfairness alone is upsetting enough to drive people to punish lucky recipients of unfair outcomes.

Paul Deutchman, PhD Candidate in Psychology, Boston College • conversation
Sept. 30, 2020 ~6 min

Did Neil Ferguson really do wrong in breaking the coronavirus lockdown?

Lockdown requires that we all act as if we know nothing, even if we are world experts on disease transmission.

Stephen John, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy of Public Health, University of Cambridge • conversation
May 7, 2020 ~6 min


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