Overview

Technological and scientific advancements contribute to the betterment of society—expanding knowledge and opportunity, improving health outcomes, offering connectivity, and facilitating meaningful work. Yet, many of these advancements have disparate outcomes for different groups, the effects of which are not always assessed in the design, development, and deployment.

Seemingly neutral institutional designs and policy choices can exacerbate discrimination and bias against marginalized and vulnerable individuals and communities. Decision automation in many contexts—from approving welfare claims to defining boundaries for voting to sentencing in the criminal justice system—has significant implications for individual freedoms, opportunities, and choice. Sophisticated AI-powered surveillance technologies affect our right to privacy and autonomy. The spread of disinformation through online platforms has eroded public trust, increased skepticism of public leaders and institutions, and affected the integrity of the political process.

Even new technologies that are essential to human potential and planetary preservation might come with hidden costs and exacerbate injustice. The climate, environmental, and societal impacts of digital technologies and data processing include the mining of rare-earth minerals, increased consumption of water and electricity, and use of child labor and AI workers in the global South.

Calls for algorithmic transparency, data privacy, and attention to the impacts of generative AI require sustained focus by civil society, media, and academia.