Algorithms and Chimpanzees: Notes from a Seminar of NINSO, the Northumbria Internet & Society Research Interest Group

Abstract

This report is based on a seminar presented by Dr Guido Noto La Diega of NINSO, The Northumbria Internet and Society Research Interest Group. NINSO is a multidisciplinary research group with members from various academic departments, among them being Law, Business, IT, Mass Communications, Sociology, Mathematics and Engineering. Today, whether or not we realize and acknowledge it, algorithms play a fundamental role in our daily lives. Sometimes, it is just trivial things like recommending a video on YouTube or an advert on Facebook. However, sometimes algorithms play a role in more important matters, such as deciding whether we should be sent to prison or whether we should get fired from our jobs. This report addresses the rise of algorithmic decision-making from a legal perspective.

Keywords: algorithms, decision-making, legislation