Abstract
This article presents a conceptual investigation into the value impacts and relations of algorithms in the domain of justice and security. As a conceptual investigation, it represents one step in a value sensitive design based methodology (not incorporated here are empirical and technical investigations). Here, we explicate and analyse the expression of values of accuracy, privacy, fairness and equality, property and ownership, and accountability and transparency in this context. We find that values are sensitive to disvalue if algorithms are designed, implemented or deployed inappropriately or without sufficient consideration for their value impacts, potentially resulting in problems including discrimination and constrained autonomy. Furthermore, we outline a framework of conceptual relations of values indicated by our analysis, and potential value tensions in their implementation and deployment with a view towards supporting future research, and supporting the value sensitive design of algorithms in justice and security.
Highlights
Algorithms are powerful artefacts that operate within our informational milieu, structuring our data, profiling, categorizing, and predicting who we are, what we want and more
We aim to identify the main values that are relevant for algorithms in justice and security and how they support each other or come into tension
Our discussion of seven values that are at play in algorithms in the domain of justice and security demonstrates that these values present challenges at design, implementation, and deployment stages
Summary
Algorithms are powerful artefacts that operate within our informational milieu, structuring our data, profiling, categorizing, and predicting who we are, what we want and more. The identification of key values is of unique importance in justice and security, where misuse of an algorithm could undermine values and come at a large cost to our freedoms. Fear of this misuse may cause underuse (Floridi et al 2018, 691)—public scepticism could unreasonably hinder the development and implementation of artefacts that have the potential to uphold the values of justice, security, human. In order to help designers in particular mitigate and weigh these risks we propose a framework of the conceptual support of values and their tensions in implementation. Such a framework can support reflection on values during the design process
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