Nova PBS airs episode on Google Search

Forum Moderators: Robert Charlton & goodroi

Message Too Old, No Replies

Nova PBS airs episode on Google Search

Title: "Search Engine Breakdown"

NickMNS

3:06 am on Apr 15, 2021 (gmt 0)

[pbs.org...]

Why does a widely used internet search engine deliver results that can be blatantly racist and sexist? Two leading information researchers investigate their discoveries of hidden biases in the search technology we rely on every day, involving #*$!ographic images and ads implying criminal behavior triggered by simple search queries. Both researchers share common concerns about how everyday online searches can reinforce damaging stereotypes, and explore how technology can be made more equitable.

I just watched this on my local PBS channel. It was very interesting, I'm not sure I agree with all the points made, but there is a lot I could relate to. The episode was short only 20 minutes, I thought they should have pivoted from the social justice frame, to looking at some the economic harms that are being caused by the very same mechanism pointed out by the researchers. Definitely worth watching.

aristotle

8:17 pm on Apr 15, 2021 (gmt 0)

I haven't seen this. But I wonder if these types of biases might be almost unavoidable in a search engine that bases its results, at least partly, on user behavior. Which behavior would ultimately derive from biases within the society itself.

NickMNS -- Maybe I'm missing the obvious, but I don't know what economic harm you're referring to. Unless you mean the high rankings given to big brands, which are also based, at least partly, on user behavior.