Artificial Intelligence Algorithms: The Ethical Dilemma in Welfare Systems
Ethics of Artificial Intelligence Algorithms in Welfare Systems
A coalition of human rights groups have today launched legal action against the French government over its use of algorithms to detect miscalculated welfare payments, alleging they discriminate against disabled people and single mothers.
Concerns Over Discrimination
The algorithm, used since the 2010s, violates both European privacy rules and French anti-discrimination laws, argue the 15 groups involved in the case, including digital rights group La Quadrature du Net, Amnesty International, and Collectif Changer de Cap, a French group campaigning against inequality. “This is the first time that a public algorithm has been the subject of a legal challenge in France,” says Valérie Pras of Collectif Changer de Cap, adding she wants these types of algorithms to be banned.
- The French welfare agency, the CNAF, analyzes the personal data of more than 30 million people.
- Using their personal information, the algorithm provides a risk score to predict potential fraudulent payments.
Legal and Societal Implications
Concerns about the processing, implemented by the CNAF, highlight massive surveillance and substantial invasions of privacy. As pointed out in the legal documents, “the effects of this algorithmic processing particularly affects the most precarious people.”
- The CNAF has not publicly shared the source code of the model.
- Modern algorithmic models have been shown to disproportionately score marginalized groups.
As the legal fight unfolds, discussions about the ethics surrounding algorithms and AI in welfare systems gain momentum.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.