Computing Bias • 11 min read

Human Biases Reflected As Computer Biases

Bias: prejudice in favor of or against a thing, person, or group

What is “computer bias”?

The existence of prejudiced outcomes in the decisions or predictions made by computer systems/algorithms. Bias can be implemented into algorithms because of human biases being intentionally inserted or because of the data utilized being biased.

Explicit Data: Information directly provided by user.

Implicit Data: Infomration that can inferred from explicit data.

Based on either explicit/implicit data that has been used to train an algorithm, whether intentionally introduced or during the process of training data generation, bias can be created.

A notable example of this is seen in Netflix, where there are is a human factor that drives bias: Netflix exclusives are placed ahead (a show that is a Netflix exclusive means that users will be more likely to stay with Netflix). The bias in this case is Netflix’s prioritzation towards Netflix-produced shows.

Hack 1:

What is another example of a human bias being implemented into an algorithm?

Answer: Tiktok Video Reccomendations

Reducing Bias

Programmers should take action to reduce bias in algorithms used for computing innovations as a way of combating existing human biases. Softwares need to be unbiased, consider all everything, and reject human bias.

Things to consider when developing programs:

• What are potential sources of bias?
• Is your program enhancing or intentionally excluding?
• Are you receiving feedback from a widespread group of people?
• How could people who differ from you use your developments?

Hack 2:

What is another way a programmer can reduce bias in their softwares?

Answer: Having Frequent Meetings when developing the actual code to consider the potential impact on the users.

Types of Bias in Software Development

Biases can be embedded at all levels of software development.

It can be intentional or unintentional. Some software development are made for a certain market and ensure that people of certain places or demographics can use them easily. However, this doesn’t mean that they are trying to exclude.

Examples:

Intentional:

• Games could be geared towards a certain age range (Talking Tom vs Valorant)
  • Game concepts
  • Music
  • Visuals

• WeChat and KakaoTalk
  • Almost everyone in China uses WeChat
  • KakaoTalk is the Korean version

Unintentional:

• Social media, Facebook vs. instagram

Homework

Question 1:

Define “computer bias” in your own words and explain how it can result from intentional or unintentional factors in software development. Give a brief example of this. Explain how programmers can actively work to reduce bias in their algorithms?

Answer: In my own words, computer bias is a computer program or software being inherently biased. These biases can come from the people making the software or from the data used in the program/algorithm. An example of this could be a Machine Learning program that is trained with biased data. This would lead to Machine Learning being biased when outputing descisions. Programmer’s could reduce this bias by using balanced and unbiased data. They could also do lots of testing and collect statistics to make sure that thie program is not providing biased answers. If bias seems to exist then they could change the code to remove the bias by revising the proccess used in the program.

Question 2:

Briefly describe the two types of bias in software development and provide examples from the gaming industry and social media platforms. How might biases in software design affect user engagement and experiences?

Answer: In the gaming industry sometimes there can be a biased towards kids. Videogame developers ussally design games to be addictive so younger kids (who generally have more free time) spend more time playing their game. Thats why a lot of movies and games are oriented are biased towards kids. These affect user engagement and experience by making them more addictive to certain divisions of people. The two main types are intentional and untentional. Something like a movie above would be intentional because it is specfically designed that way. An example of untentional bias would be something form of social media. Like Facebooks vs Instagram because of their drastic differenly userbases.