The Black Futures Month event 'Algorithms and Accountability – Lessons from 1985' took place in front of a captivated audience of staff, current students and alumni in the Curve Lecture Theatre, Tooting campus on Wednesday 14 October.
Published
Professors Joseph Collier and Baba Sheba delivered an engrossing talk on the dangers of unregulated computation being allowed to make decisions without moral human oversight.
Emeritus Professor Collier began by outlining how in 1985 he discovered a computer algorithm which was being used to influence the recruitment of students at what was then called St George’s Hospital Medical School. The algorithm was found to discriminate against non-white applicants as well as non-male applicants.
Professor Collier shared how he discerned that this discrimination was taking place, the process of reporting it as well as the difficulties that come with being an internal whistleblower. Throughout the talk Professor Collier stressed the importance of his colleague Dr Aggrey Burke, and how Dr Burke’s unwavering support and help was fundamental to the problem being found, rooted out and necessary changes implemented.
Professor Sheba followed by explaining how the issues Professor Collier had found with the algorithm 40 years ago remain pertinent as Artificial Intelligence becomes ever more influential in the world. Professor Sheba emphasised that critical thinking has never been more important, particularly for young people.
He explained how having the ability to recognise how the answers provided by AI carry an implicit bias depending on the said AI’s input data is absolutely crucial. Professor Sheba went on to illustrate this by using City St George’s very own AI, Gateway, to exemplify. A question and answer session followed where many erudite, interesting and pertinent observations were made.
Associate Dean, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at the School of Health & Medical Sciences, Associate Professor Michelle Ellis, said of the event:
"Algorithms and Accountability: Lessons Learnt from 1985 was a truly engaging and though-provoking event to mark our SHMS Black Future Month event - made all the more special by the outstanding contributions from Professor's Collier and Sheba who shared their knowledge, expertise, personal experiences and reflections with such generosity and depth. Their presentations encourage us to look beyond the immediate questions surrounding AI and to reflect more deeply on the lessons of the past, their relevance to the present and the challenges that lie ahead."
"My sincere thanks go the Professor Collier and Professor Sheba for their contributions and to everyone who attended and helped make the event such a success. Above all, the event reminds us of the importance of coming together to share knowledge, challenge our thinking and learn from one another, recognising that meaningful progress depends not only on technological innovation, but also on human judgement, responsibility and accountability. This exemplifies our commitment at City St George's University of London to foster a positive, inclusive and supportive culture that values equity and diversity in all forms.”
If you would like to rewatch the event, you can do so here.