mathwash

Definitions

To use data and algorithms to create the false impression that a subjective decision or policy was made objectively.

intransitive, neologism, transitive

Examples

“The issue⟳ is definitional: "algorithm" has been used to mathwash functionality that would otherwise be considered arbitrary with objectivity”

“While our systems can be assistants or even collaborators, we do not want⟳ to hand off responsibility to them. When we treat⟳ machine learning systems as oracles, rather than as assistants, we are headed in the wrong direction. We can't trick⟳ ourselves into thinking that a decision is fair because it is algorithmic. We can't afford⟳ to "mathwash" important decisions.”

“Deliberate mathwashing occurs when the algorithm is tweaked in order⟳ to course correct⟳ or skew the bias. Facebook allegedly mathwashed when it routinely suppressed conservative news in 2016.”

“Striking Instacart workers have⟳ also opposed the company's "black box" app, which sets workers' pay⟳ via an unintelligible model⟳ that "mathwashes" their exploitation.”

CEFR level