FINANCIAL TIMES - June 18 - More transparency is required about the algorithms that wield enormous power over billions of people. But while these algorithmic forces impact our daily lives in beneficial ways, they are often inaccessible and mysterious to the average citizen. Most of us have neither the training nor the faculties to understand how these systems impact us. The algorithms are often protected as trade secrets, and not found on a publicly accessible registry such as the US or UK Patent Office. By disclosing their formulas, open-source algorithms allow a cross section of professionals to examine the fundamental principles at play. Security researchers can determine whether our personal data were put at risk during algorithmic processing. Human rights organisations can help to avoid infringement of our fundamental freedoms. Academics can dig into these systems for bias. "Users have the right to know what inputs are being made both into the algorithms that choose their content and those used to moderate their content," says Jillian York, author of Silicon Values.
by Frederick Mostert & Alex Urbelis
See full article at Financial Times
