In this event, we will discuss the role of humans-in-the-loop of algorithmic decision-making from the perspectives of practice, policy, and workplace.

AI systems are used to support decisions across domains and are of increasing interest to employers, but there is still little know about how these systems influence experts' decisions and what effect they have on worker's rights and workplace interactions. We are excited to welcome our speakers Maria De-Arteaga (University of Texas at Austin) and Aida Ponce del Castillo (European Trade Union Institute) who will tackle these issues in their talks. The floor will then be open to discussion to all attendees.

Mind the Gap: From Predictions to ML-Informed Decisions

Machine learning (ML) is increasingly being deployed across domains in which predictions may have potentially grave implications over human lives. In many high-stakes settings, algorithms are not making autonomous decisions, but are rather informing experts' decisions. In this talk, Prof. De-Arteaga will discuss the gap that exists between ML predictions and ML-informed decisions. The talk will highlight the role of humans-in-the-loop through a study of the adoption of an algorithmic tool used to assist child maltreatment hotline screening decisions. After presenting empirical results, the talk will discuss paths forward for research on algorithmic fairness, arguing that reliable assessment and design require us to center AI-assisted decisions—rather than AI predictions—as the locus of evaluation.

The EC’ AI Act and the Workplace: Regulatory Protection of AI Systems at Work

The EU Commission has recently presented the draft AI Act, which regulates the placing on the market and putting into service of AI systems, with a layered risk-based approach focusing on high-risks. In her talk, Aida Ponce del Castillo will briefly go through the provisions in the draft that address AI systems is workplace situations. Due to the power imbalance of the employment relationship, the “human-in-the loop” principle raises particular interest. Aida will propose a typology of the human-in-the-loop interactions at the workplace, which raises questions about human autonomy, responsibility, privacy and workers’ agency. How do workers know (or not) that they (co) work with algorithms? How are these interactions managed in the organization? What are the protections in place in case of accident, failure or unfair algorithmic ‘decision-making’?

About the speakers:

Maria De-Arteaga is an Assistant Professor at the Information, Risk and Operation Management Department at McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. She holds a joint PhD in Machine Learning and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University’s Machine Learning Department and Heinz College. In her research Maria De-Arteaga focuses on human-AI complementarity, and the risks and opportunities of algorithmic decision support.

More about Maria De-Arteaga

Aida Ponce Del Castillo is a lawyer by training. She obtained her European Doctorate in Law, focusing on the regulatory issues of human genetics, from the Universities of Valencia and Bonn. She also holds a Master's degree in Bioethics. Within European Trade Union Institute's Foresight Unit, her research focuses on strategic foresight and on the legal, ethical, social and regulatory issues of emerging technologies.

More about Aida Ponce del Castillo

This event will take place on Zoom. Nearer to the event date, we will send you the meeting ID.