algorithms

Human Rights Watch has published a piece titled 'The Inhumanity of the Algorithms', arguing that algorithmic systems used by governments and companies can produce harmful, dehumanising outcomes. The organisation is drawing attention to the human cost of automated decision-making and calling for stronger accountability over how such technologies affect people's rights.

Teachers working for Multiverse, the apprenticeship company founded by Euan Blair, son of former UK prime minister Tony Blair, say they have suffered 'horrendous stress' after artificial intelligence was used to assess and rate their work. The claims, reported by the Guardian, have sparked criticism of AI-driven workplace monitoring and performance evaluation in the education sector, with commentators questioning the fairness and impact of algorithmic judgments on staff wellbeing.

Insurers in the United States are using artificial intelligence algorithms to help decide whether to approve or deny coverage for medical care, including for patients in UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, Cigna and Humana plans. Vox's Good Medicine newsletter examines the practice, and critics warn the tools can wrongly delay or deny treatments that doctors consider necessary.