Accountability in Computer Systems
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Authors
Kroll, Joshua A.
Subjects
AI systems
accountability
transparency
computer systems
AI governance
accountability
transparency
computer systems
AI governance
Advisors
Date of Issue
2020
Date
2020
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Language
en_US
Abstract
This chapter addresses the relationship between AI systems and the concept of accountability. To understand accountability in the context of AI systems, one must begin by examining the various ways the term is used and the variety of concepts to which it is meant to refer. Accountability is often associated with transparency, the principle that systems and processes should be accessible to those affected through an understanding of their structure or function. For a computer system, this often means disclosure about the system’s existence, nature, and scope; scrutiny of its underlying data and reasoning approaches; and connection of the operative rules implemented by the system to the governing norms of its context. Transparency is a useful tool in the governance of computer systems, but only insofar as it serves accountability. There are other mechanisms available for building computer systems that support accountability of their creators and operators. Ultimately, accountability requires establishing answerability relationships that serve the interests of those affected by AI systems.
Type
Book Chapter
Description
The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190067397.013.10
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funding
Format
16 p.
Citation
Kroll, Joshua A., Accountability in Computer Systems (June 30, 2020). The Oxford Handbook of the Ethics of AI. Dubber, Markus D., Frank Pasquale, and Sunit Das, Eds. Oxford University Press. 2020.
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.