automating inequality by virginia eubanks

Algorithmic transparency – In 2006, the government of Indiana signed a $1b+ agreement with IBM and the now-defunct Affiliated Computer Services to build a tool to automate eligibility determination for food stamps, Medicaid, and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).The best practices I share below are critical to think through at any stage of technology development – in fact, the earlier the better!ĭesign Principles from “Automating Inequality” The best software will eventually touch a diverse base of users and will attempt to automate decisions that are normally made by a human. I think the book offers some valuable lessons for all technologists, whether or not the products we build impact low-income or marginalized communities directly. She concludes that these digital tools, whether deterministic or stochastic in nature, have only served to further income inequality despite the best of intentions. In the book, Eubanks discusses how software implemented by our government has recreated a digital version of the poorhouse, entrapping low-income Americans in a system of digital surveillance and decisioning.

I recently read Virginia Eubanks’ wonderful book, “Automating Inequality,” and came away compelled to share some of my key takeaways on principles to design more inclusive and just technology.

Automating inequality by virginia eubanks