Title: Combating and perpetuating bias: the relationship between bias and computer science

Authors: Lucien Ngalamou; Harmony L. Schmidbauer

Addresses: Department of Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Lewis University, 1 University Parkway, Romeoville, IL 60446, USA ' AuthO, 10800 NE 8th St., Suite 700 Bellevue, WA 98004, USA

Abstract: This paper aims to explore the relationship between computer science and bias, analysing case studies and discussing the social implications of ways that software can both combat and perpetuate bias. While some areas of computer science such as software design and its underlying algorithms may be developed to offer an objective, data-driven decision, free from human bias, bias can nonetheless appear almost anywhere in the software development process. This has the potential to affect the design, algorithms, and testing of software, thus impacting its ultimate usability. There will be a focus on the Western bias that exists in the design of human-computer interactions, as well as the potential to and corresponding effects of introducing bias into artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. This work will simultaneously discuss the significance and corresponding implications within society of the many forms of bias in some computer science areas.

Keywords: computer science; software development; bias; artificial intelligence; machine learning algorithms; human-computer interactions.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIPSI.2020.115523

International Journal of Information Privacy, Security and Integrity, 2020 Vol.4 No.4, pp.296 - 313

Received: 21 Jul 2020
Accepted: 06 Feb 2021
Published online: 07 Jun 2021 *

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