When you think of algorithmic governance, you may go right to things like predictive law enforcement, or risk assessment of setting bail or prison sentences for those in the criminal justice system. However, algorithms have a much broader application in the legal system, far beyond those criminal justice aspects. Drexel law professor, Hannah Bloch-Wehba walks us through number examples of other areas which algorithm governance is being used. Broad areas which she labels as "typical poverty law settings" of welfare… medicaid… child protective services for example, and those area are continuing to expand. Court systems, administrative law departments, and other government agencies are relying upon algorithms to help with larger and larger caseloads. Algorithms, in and of themselves, are not inherently bad. In fact, it can be very helpful in streamlining processes and alleviate the burden on different government agencies in how to handle these issues. But is it fairer than what we have now? We don't have a good way of demonstrating that. Professor Bloch-Wehba sees the overall effect of algorithms as creating a newer playing field that is bumpy in different ways than the old one. There's still a human element in algorithms, not just in the creation of the algorithms, but also in the acceptance of algorithmic outcomes by those who are tasked to apply them. Add to this, the "black box" which some algorithms live, and how governments are relying upon private industries to create these processes, and an inability for the government to be able to discuss how they work. Can governments give up their duty to be transparent in the name of algorithmic efficiency? How far will a democratic society tolerate with algorithms which it may not fully understand, or trust?
We cover all of these questions and discuss Professor Bloch-Wehba's upcoming Fordham Law Review article, "Access to Algorithms," which will be published later this year.
Information Inspirations
Archive and Delete are not the same. Garry Vander Voort of LexBlog writes about a disturbing trend he is seeing on apps where you might think you are archiving a magazine or a podcast, but in reality, you're deleting it. He has a few suggestions on how developers can use better descriptors, including some good ol' library terms.
Business Intelligence and Data Analytics are not the same. Rob Saccone published and excellent article on Medium a few days ago that is worth reading. We may be looking for unicorns when it comes to having someone who understands the importance of analysis as well as the comprehension of the business model. Saccone has some excellent suggestions of what businesses can do, besides seeking that elusive unicorn.
Being a Leader of a Firm and Understanding What is Going on in the Market is not the same. Tom Clay from Altman Weil suggests that all leaders at law firms take 15 minutes a day to focus on the evolution of their practice and firm.
Being at CLOC, and Reading #CLOC2019 Tweets are not the same... but, we'll take it! Thanks to Jason Barnwell and others who are keeping us connected this week.
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Nicole Bradick and Ryan McClead on the Launch of Map Engine and Life as a Startup Founder
Pablo Arredondo on CaseText's New WeSearch Tool and How the Neural Net Is Making Its Way Into Legal Information
Bob Taylor, Valerie Dickerson, and Mark Ross on Deloitte Legal Business Services
Dan Packel on the Rise of Distributed Law Firms
Adam Tsao and The Creativity Playbook for Lawyers
Kate Tompkins on Being a Practice Group Leader But Not a Lawyer
What's Next for Jeroen Plink?
Lex Machina's Karl Harris on the Past, Present, and Future of Legal Analytics
Sophia George and Chevazz Brown: Finding Diverse Lawyers via DiversePro
Geoff Zodda on Legal Industry Employment Trends in a Post-COVID World
Rachel Travers on the New Law360 Pulse
Brightflag's Alex Kelly on Using Data and Analytics to Make Better Legal Spend Decisions
AI for Lawyers with Noah Waisberg and Dr. Alexander Hudek
Nicole Morris on Emory Law Schools TI:GER Innovation Conference
How Mid-Level Associates Can Thrive at Law Firms - with Jennifer Bluestein
Jennifer Bluestein on Stepping It Up: A Guide for Mid-Level Law Firm Associates
The Who, What, and Why of #LegalTech with Kristin Hodgins and Jason Wilson
The Boston Legal Design Challenge Update - Jeff Marple, Bob Taylor, and Aubrie Souza
Tracy LaLonde and The Joychiever Journey
Consumer Arbitration Made Easier with FairShake's Teel Lidow
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