Participatory Problem Formulation for Fairer Machine Learning Through Community Based System Dynamics
Workshop paper
Donald Martin Jr., Vinodkumar Prabhakaran, Jill Kuhlberg, Andrew Smart, William S. Issac
Abstract
Recent research on algorithmic fairness has highlighted that the problem formulation phase of Machine Learning (ML) system development can be a key source of bias that has significant downstream impacts on ML system fairness outcomes. However, very little attention has been paid to methods for improving the fairness efficacy of this critical phase of ML system development. Current practice neither accounts for the dynamic complexity of high-stakes domains nor incorporates the perspectives of vulnerable stakeholders. In this paper we introduce community based system dynamics (CBSD) as a mature practice to enable the participation of typically excluded stakeholders in the problem formulation phase of the ML system development process and facilitate the deep problem understanding required to mitigate bias during this crucial stage.
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Recent research on algorithmic fairness has highlighted that the problem formulation phase of Machine Learning (ML) system development can be a key source of bias that has significant downstream impacts on ML system fairness outcomes. However, very little attention has been paid to methods for improving the fairness efficacy of this critical phase of ML system development. Current practice neither accounts for the dynamic complexity of high-stakes domains nor incorporates the perspectives of vulnerable stakeholders. In this paper we introduce community based system dynamics (CBSD) as a mature practice to enable the participation of typically excluded stakeholders in the problem formulation phase of the ML system development process and facilitate the deep problem understanding required to mitigate bias during this crucial stage.
Cite
APA
Martin Jr., D., Prabhakaran, V., Kuhlberg, J., Smart, A., & Issac, W. S. Participatory Problem Formulation for Fairer Machine Learning Through Community Based System Dynamics.
Chicago/Turabian
Martin Jr., Donald, Vinodkumar Prabhakaran, Jill Kuhlberg, Andrew Smart, and William S. Issac. Participatory Problem Formulation for Fairer Machine Learning Through Community Based System Dynamics, n.d.
MLA
Martin Jr., Donald, et al. Participatory Problem Formulation for Fairer Machine Learning Through Community Based System Dynamics.