Coded Bias    4 1/2 Suns

The documentary Coded Bias concerns the biases that have been found present in the algorithms used mainly in facial recognition software and the effect this has on people’s lives.  It follows the efforts of some very smart computer researchers including Joy Buolamwini, an MIT Media Lab researcher.  She discovered that this software when tested on women and non- white people has a markedly lower accuracy rate than on male and white people.  This inherent bias comes from how the software learns what faces look like based on the thousands of images in the database which in turn was provided by the designers.  Other issues raised were how the same technology is being used in China to deny rights and privileges to dissidents by the government as well as the individual’s rights to their own personal data.  The film also speaks of how these algorithms are used to profile people looking for loans and employment.  Some of those concerned about these matters have established the Algorithm Justice League to raise awareness of these issues and find ways of combating the biases of such software.  The issues here are far more complex than I can relate here,  and I hope the film receives wider distribution after the festival. I found it the most interesting documentary I’ve seen so far.