There are numerous examples of how the datasets that are used to train the algorithms that rule our daily lives are biased. For instance, tools that automatically translate professional titles tends to follow gender stereotypes: males are doctors while nurses are females. There is also bias against faces of females and faces of people of colour. But if these biases are … Continue reading The handful of datasets that rule our lives
Tag: Machine learning
Artificial Intelligence vs household product safety
Apparently, autonomous robotic vacuum cleaners (i.e., Roombas) and dog poos don’t mix well. I had no idea as I have neither a Roomba nor a dog; but I have, now, learned that this is a common problem faced by pet owners, as reported in this 2016 article in The Guardian. Image source Maybe I should … Continue reading Artificial Intelligence vs household product safety
The easiest, safest, fastest way to save someone’s life
A couple of weeks ago, I came across a paper where the authors had used machine learning to discover the best predictors of blood donations. Why was this an important application? Because blood donations save lives; and because, despite its importance, blood harvesting is, usually, a not for profit venture. Thus, any insight that can … Continue reading The easiest, safest, fastest way to save someone’s life
The potential and limitations of AI in home care – the users’ view
This week, the English parliament approved a new “health and social care” tax, corresponding to an increase in National Insurance contributions from 12% to 13.25% of salary (i.e., a whopping 10.4% increase!!). This increase is to pay for the home care needs of older people, disabled citizens, and others with high care needs. That is, for carers … Continue reading The potential and limitations of AI in home care – the users’ view
Using machine learning to identify learners at risk, and develop targeted interventions
Education is linked to higher salaries, increased job satisfaction, and better health outcomes. It prepares learners to tackle complex societal problems and can address regional skills’ gaps. Thus, being able to identify leaners at risk of not progressing on their studies, or even dropping out of their courses, is of critical importance for the learners … Continue reading Using machine learning to identify learners at risk, and develop targeted interventions
Understanding and solving opacity in algorithms
One of the key challenges presented by algorithms is its opacity – that is, the inability to see how the algorithm produced a specific output. For instance, the ability to see how a search engine algorithm ranks content; how credit rating algorithm ranks the characteristic of potential borrowers; or, how a self-driving algorithm ranks external … Continue reading Understanding and solving opacity in algorithms
New paper: Leveraging machine learning in the global fight against money laundering and terrorism financing: An affordances perspective
There is a lot of enthusiasm about the potential of artificial intelligence in general, and machine learning in particular, to solve just about any problem on Earth. Thus, a special issue of the Journal of Business Research is looking at the potential of those technologies to meet the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals; and … Continue reading New paper: Leveraging machine learning in the global fight against money laundering and terrorism financing: An affordances perspective
Covid19, the limitations of machine learning, and the importance of data
The Covid-19 crisis is showing us the limitations of many things that we took for granted. Medicine’s ability to cure, for instance. For the time being, there is no cure for Covid19 – the best thing that the fantastic health professionals can do for us is support our bodies, while they fight the virus’s infection. Or, the … Continue reading Covid19, the limitations of machine learning, and the importance of data
New paper: How AI can destroy business value
As we enter the fourth industrial revolution, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies are being used to automate business processes in more and more areas, from calculating optimal transport loads to shortlisting loan applicants without human input. These technologies promise to create business value, for instance, by improving productivity and reducing mistakes. However, … Continue reading New paper: How AI can destroy business value
AI is a system, not a technology
I have been reading a lot of about artificial intelligence (AI), lately, and reflecting on its implications for how organisations interact with its customers. I have noticed that, often, AI is equated with the algorithm that underpins it (which is, often, assumed to be a machine learning algorithm). That makes sense, because algorithms are fundamental … Continue reading AI is a system, not a technology
Ana Canhoto 