TATuP – Zeitschrift für Technikfolgenabschätzung in Theorie und Praxis
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Artificial intelligence and judicial decision-making: Evaluating the role of AI in debiasing
Full text linkAs arbiters of law and fact, judges are supposed to decide cases impartially, basing their decisions on authoritative legal sources and not being influenced by irrelevant factors. Empirical evidence, however, shows that judges are often influenced by implicit biases, which can affect the impartiality of their judgment and pose a threat to the right to a fair trial. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been increasingly used for a variety of applications in the public domain, often with the promise of being more accurate and objective than biased human decision-makers. Given this backdrop, this research article identifies how AI is being deployed by courts, mainly as decision-support tools for judges. It assesses the potential and limitations of these tools, focusing on their use for risk assessment. Further, the article shows how AI can be used as a debiasing tool, i. e., to detect patterns of bias in judicial decisions, allowing for corrective measures to be taken. Finally, it assesses the mechanisms and benefits of such use.As arbiters of law and fact, judges are supposed to decide cases impartially, basing their decisions on authoritative legal sources and not being influenced by irrelevant factors. Empirical evidence, however, shows that judges are often influenced by implicit biases, which can affect the impartiality of their judgment and pose a threat to the right to a fair trial. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been increasingly used for a variety of applications in the public domain, often with the promise of being more accurate and objective than biased human decision-makers. Given this backdrop, this research article identifies how AI is being deployed by courts, mainly as decision-support tools for judges. It assesses the potential and limitations of these tools, focusing on their use for risk assessment. Further, the article shows how AI can be used as a debiasing tool, i. e., to detect patterns of bias in judicial decisions, allowing for corrective measures to be taken. Finally, it assesses the mechanisms and benefits of such use
Borderline decisions?: Lack of justification for automatic deception detection at EU borders
Full text linkBetween 2016 and 2019, the European Union funded the development and testing of a system called “iBorderCtrl”, which aims to help detect illegal migration. Part of iBorderCtrl is an automatic deception detection system (ADDS): Using artificial intelligence, ADDS is designed to calculate the probability of deception by analyzing subtle facial expressions to support the decision-making of border guards. This text explains the operating principle of ADDS and its theoretical foundations. Against this background, possible deficits in the justification of the use of this system are pointed out. Finally, based on empirical findings, potential societal ramifications of an unjustified use of ADDS are discussed.Between 2016 and 2019, the European Union funded the development and testing of a system called “iBorderCtrl”, which aims to help detect illegal migration. Part of iBorderCtrl is an automatic deception detection system (ADDS): Using artificial intelligence, ADDS is designed to calculate the probability of deception by analyzing subtle facial expressions to support the decision-making of border guards. This text explains the operating principle of ADDS and its theoretical foundations. Against this background, possible deficits in the justification of the use of this system are pointed out. Finally, based on empirical findings, potential societal ramifications of an unjustified use of ADDS are discussed
The paradox of progress: How ‘disruptive,’ ‘dual-use,’ ‘democratized,’ and ‘diffused’ technologies shape terrorist innovation
Full text linkBuilding upon the existing literature on terror innovation, this research article introduces a new analytical framework that highlights four key elements of emerging technologies which facilitate their adoption by terrorist groups. We posit that technologies that are inherently ‘disruptive,’ ‘dual-use,’ ‘democratized,’ and ‘diffused’ are particularly susceptible to misuse by terrorists, and that it is the interplay between these factors that helps to drive future directions of tech-enabled terror. We draw on terror and extremist interest in and use of two key technology areas – unmanned aerial systems and additive manufacturing, specifically 3‑D‑printed firearms – as examples to highlight how the factors in the framework interact and how they help to drive innovative terror behavior. We conclude with a series of concise recommendations to mitigate harmful terrorist use of these and other disruptive technologies and limit the impact of future tech-enabled terrorist innovations.Building upon the existing literature on terror innovation, this research article introduces a new analytical framework that highlights four key elements of emerging technologies which facilitate their adoption by terrorist groups. We posit that technologies that are inherently ‘disruptive,’ ‘dual-use,’ ‘democratized,’ and ‘diffused’ are particularly susceptible to misuse by terrorists, and that it is the interplay between these factors that helps to drive future directions of tech-enabled terror. We draw on terror and extremist interest in and use of two key technology areas – unmanned aerial systems and additive manufacturing, specifically 3‑D‑printed firearms – as examples to highlight how the factors in the framework interact and how they help to drive innovative terror behavior. We conclude with a series of concise recommendations to mitigate harmful terrorist use of these and other disruptive technologies and limit the impact of future tech-enabled terrorist innovations
Architectures of syntopia: An interdisciplinary speculative model for constructions with insect-infested wood
Full text linkBased on a case study in Franconia, Germany, where beetle infestation of spruce trees is high, we present an interdisciplinary approach from materials science, cultural theory, and computational design to develop architectures for syntopic living. The term syntopy was coined by Luis René Rivas and describes “two or more related species inhabiting the same macrohabitat.” It is a combination of the Greek words syn* for together and *topos for place. Architectures of Syntopia aim to create spatial structures for humans that emanate from and are located in a specific place – a topos. They also include non-human species, creating what Anna Tsing describes as “multispecies worlds“. By interweaving methods from materials science and cultural theory with computational design, different speculative perspectives are developed on one and the same subject: the beetle infestation of the spruce.Based on a case study in Franconia, Germany, where beetle infestation of spruce trees is high, we present an interdisciplinary approach from materials science, cultural theory, and computational design to develop architectures for syntopic living. The term syntopy was coined by Luis René Rivas and describes “two or more related species inhabiting the same macrohabitat.” It is a combination of the Greek words syn* for together and *topos for place. Architectures of Syntopia aim to create spatial structures for humans that emanate from and are located in a specific place – a topos. They also include non-human species, creating what Anna Tsing describes as “multispecies worlds“. By interweaving methods from materials science and cultural theory with computational design, different speculative perspectives are developed on one and the same subject: the beetle infestation of the spruce
Technology hypes: Practices, approaches and assessments
Full text linkTo date, the study of hype has become a productive but also eclectic field of research. This introduction provides an overview of the core characteristics of technology hype and distinguishes it from other future-oriented concepts. Further, the authors present promising approaches from various disciplines for studying, critiquing, and dealing with hype. The special issue assembles case studies, methodological and theoretical contributions that analyze tech hypes’ temporality, agency, and institutional dynamics. It provides insights into how hypes are triggered and fostered, but also how they can be deconstructed and anticipated.To date, the study of hype has become a productive but also eclectic field of research. This introduction provides an overview of the core characteristics of technology hype and distinguishes it from other future-oriented concepts. Further, the authors present promising approaches from various disciplines for studying, critiquing, and dealing with hype. The special issue assembles case studies, methodological and theoretical contributions that analyze tech hypes’ temporality, agency, and institutional dynamics. It provides insights into how hypes are triggered and fostered, but also how they can be deconstructed and anticipated
Don’t believe the hype?: Imagined business futures and overpromising for a decarbonized economy
Full text linkInternational climate governance is increasingly focusing on the role of the private sector. This article explores how companies translate the narrative of deep decarbonization into their entrepreneurial visions of the future. Based on a qualitative multiple case study, it shows that overpromising is an essential feature of imagined business futures, and identifies three forms of overpromising: contradiction, exaggeration, and commitment. The research article contributes to the emerging field of hype and overpromising by proposing a contextual and nuanced understanding of overpromising. The results illustrate the power of desirable transformation narratives, but also their limitations and side effects.International climate governance is increasingly focusing on the role of the private sector. This article explores how companies translate the narrative of deep decarbonization into their entrepreneurial visions of the future. Based on a qualitative multiple case study, it shows that overpromising is an essential feature of imagined business futures, and identifies three forms of overpromising: contradiction, exaggeration, and commitment. The research article contributes to the emerging field of hype and overpromising by proposing a contextual and nuanced understanding of overpromising. The results illustrate the power of desirable transformation narratives, but also their limitations and side effects
Post-normal crises and technology assessment
Full text linkReflections on the challenges for science in crises have become an integral part of public policy and technology assessment (TA). The urgency and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic brought up the question of how scientific disciplines and individual scientists can provide appropriate advice to decision makers and the public while maintaining transparency and independence. Because of the speed with which solutions had to be found, the range of questions narrowed and some topics were given priority over others. In many countries, decisions were made without broader public participation and without involving the wide variety of stakeholders. In the light of the waning COVID-19 pandemic and the surging climate crisis, it is time to consider how TA, its organizations, and networks can reasonably position themselves to achieve their goals under these conditions. This introduction presents the Special topic of this TATuP issue, in which four research articles explore the role of TA in crises from different perspectives.Reflections on the challenges for science in crises have become an integral part of public policy and technology assessment (TA). The urgency and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic brought up the question of how scientific disciplines and individual scientists can provide appropriate advice to decision makers and the public while maintaining transparency and independence. Because of the speed with which solutions had to be found, the range of questions narrowed and some topics were given priority over others. In many countries, decisions were made without broader public participation and without involving the wide variety of stakeholders. In the light of the waning COVID-19 pandemic and the surging climate crisis, it is time to consider how TA, its organizations, and networks can reasonably position themselves to achieve their goals under these conditions. This introduction presents the Special topic of this TATuP issue, in which four research articles explore the role of TA in crises from different perspectives
