Coded Bias and the Algorithm Justice League

Feb 16, 2023 ·

Coded Bias is a documentary about algorithmic justice and the groundbreaking work being done to combat algorithmic bias. In the film, director Shalini Kantayya focuses on the work of Joy Buolamwini, a computer scientist researching facial recognition technology, and Cathy O’Neil, a data scientist focusing on algorithms used by companies like Amazon and Facebook. The documentary explores how algorithms can be used to discriminate against people based on their race, gender, or other identities.

The documentary also examines how algorithmic bias is playing out in real life. From the Admissions Office at Harvard to the courts of Texas, Coded Bias reveals how algorithms are used to make decisions that have significant consequences for everyone’s lives. The film features interviews with experts from around the world, showing how algorithms can be used to exercise power over the most vulnerable members of society.

The film is a powerful reminder that we must be vigilant when it comes to the use of algorithms and the potential for them to be biased. It highlights the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of algorithms in decision-making. Additionally, Coded Bias calls for the creation of a new “Algorithm Justice League” that would hold companies accountable for the effects of their algorithms.

Overall, Coded Bias is an important and timely documentary that brings attention to the potential dangers of algorithmic bias and discrimination. It sheds light on the potential consequences of using algorithms to make decisions without oversight. The film is a call to action for policymakers, technologists, and citizens to ensure that algorithms don’t become a tool for prejudice and injustice.