Supervising the Mass Adoption of Algorithmic Technologies

How do we scale up the oversight of algorithmic systems? The mass-marketisation of generative technologies is increasing the rate at which people are exposed to their risks, while our analytic capability to assess algorithmic systems is shrinking in the political economy that is created: production platforms are too far removed from the context of use, SaaS business models are disintermediating the organisations that implement them, and regulatory authorities cannot keep up with the scale of use. In this panel we will discuss practical experiences of parties who have tackled this epistemological problem. Michael Veale will articulate the emerging challenges, the Dutch DPA will present the results of a first-of-its-kind national algorithm audit, the Dutch Ministry of the Interior will discuss the knowledge community around their public Algorithm Register, and Algorithm Watch will share their experiences with cross-border collaborative research networks.

• How is our capacity to assess algorithmic systems changing now that they are becoming a mass market product?
• How has your organization tackled this epistemological challenge and what are the pros and cons of that approach?
• Where do you think the analytic capacity should be located and how do we create that governance structure?
• What do you think the biggest danger is if we do not address this problem and how will we know if it is materializing?

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