It’s the Algorithm’s Fault
The Corner Office
Wayne Moore
8/13/2024
A tired refrain is already emerging from the world of artificial intelligence (AI): “It’s the algorithm’s fault.” I say tired because it is in our DNA to blame someone else. In the Garden of Eden when God asked Adam what he had done, he said, “the woman YOU gave me — she made me eat from the apple.” So, Adam blamed God for giving him the woman and he blamed the woman for giving him the apple. Upon that day, the blame game began. Fast forward to 2024 where the providers of AI-based products and services discovered a novel way to shift blame from themselves when something goes awry, to the AI algorithm itself, as if it is some type of autonomous entity over which they exercise no control. Two companies especially lead the AI pack in using this sophomoric blame game paradigm shift: Google and Meta (formerly Facebook). Google recently was caught trying to hide the failed assassination attempt on former President Trump on its search engine and immediately when they were called on the carpet for this, they blamed their algorithm for the omission. One must really ponder how this new blame game will work.
A couple of examples will perhaps help us in guiding our understanding. Bloomberg recently published an article about an unfolding lawsuit over investments lost by an algorithm (nasty algorithm). It seems a Hong Kong tycoon lost more than $20 million after entrusting part of his fortune to an automated platform. The article stated, “Without a legal framework to sue the technology, he placed the blame on the nearest human: the man who sold it to him. It’s the first known case of automated investment losses, but not the first involving the liability of algorithms.” Can’t sue the algorithm, sue the closest human you can find! Another example occurred in March of 2018 when a self-driving Uber struck and killed a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona, sending another case to court. A year later, Uber was exonerated of all criminal liability, but the safety driver could face charges of vehicular manslaughter instead. Conclusion, Google should not be allowed to simply lay the blame on the algorithm and wash its hands of any responsibility or liability: The US Justice Department should instead find the closest person and hold him accountable — Sundar Pichai. That would send a clear message about trying to hide behind an algorithm.
Until next month,
Wayne