Cathy O'Neil Hosts Talk On Applying an Ethical Matrix To Algorithms

The School of Data Science hosted Cathy O’Neil for a presentation and reception on Monday, April 18, 2022 at the University of Virginia Colonnade Club. O’Neil is the author of the New York Times bestseller Weapons of Math Destruction, and her most recent publication, The Shame Machine, was released this spring. She is a mathematician and data scientist, founder of the blog mathbabe.org, and an algorithm audit consultant. 

O’Neil spoke Monday on applying an ethical matrix to identify whether algorithms were working or failing for different audience segments. She explained that algorithms in themselves were not bad but challenged the audience to dig deeper and ask, “Who is the algorithm failing?” As a consultant, O’Neil works with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and non-profits to audit whether algorithms they are using in day-to-day operations or data analysis are truly ethical. 

The 45-minute presentation, in which O’Neil outlined several examples of applying the ethical matrix, was followed by a robust Q&A and informal reception. There was broad representation from University faculty, staff, and students as well as area community members.