Excerpt from Operationalizing Critical Race Theory in the Marketplace *

Predatory predictions and the ethics of predictive analytics

“…Critical theoretical approaches maintain a healthy skepticism towards any assumptions of neutrality or objectivity and contextualize situations in a way that accounts for the power and influence of different actors. Importantly, critical theoretical approaches seek to identify and critique systemic power relations with an intention to contribute to structural change and even emancipation (Poole et al, 2020;Stahl, 2021). A critical approach to examine predictive analytics is justified to overcome (a) the presumed objectivity of the model as well as (b) the power dynamics underlying the design, development, and deployment of predictive analytics in the market.…”

“…The marketplace, within which predictive analytics programs are designed, sold, and used, is not a neutral site. The market is political and built on social and structural relations that are connected to inequalities (Henderson & Williams, 2013;Poole et al, 2020). Within the critical examination of Big Tech as a market, previous research has focused on the damaging influence of corporations on the direction of AI ethics research (Abdalla & Abdalla, 2021), the power of the corporation over data and privacy (Waldman, 2021), and powerful corporations prioritizing efficiency and freedom for a subset of society (Cohen, 2019;Waldman, 2019b).…”

“…The critical examination of predicative analytics herein continues a rich line of scholarship seeking to understand who gains power and who is disenfranchised by the design decisions in data and analytics. 2 A critical examination would be to ask not only about alternatives but also question the power dynamics within the market and seek "to dismantle entrenched hierarchical marketplace dynamics" (Poole et al, 2020). This explicit lens of power-who has it and who benefits and is harmed from the decisions made-would be turned to the design decisions of predictive analytics.…”

“…First, I justify a critical approach as a useful lens to illuminate the ethical issues of using predictive analytics. In doing so, I join many others seeking to question not only the presumed objectivity and neutrality of analytics (Johnson, In Press) but also the power dynamics at play in building the algorithm, collecting and using the data, and selling AI and analytics (Beer, 2017;Benjamin, 2019;D'Ignazio & Klein, 2020;Diakopoulos, 2015;Floegel & Costello, 2022;Gibson & Martin III, 2019;Leavy et al, 2020;Levy, 2015;Paris et al, 2022;Poole et al, 2020;Waldman, 2019b;Zuboff, 2019). I extend critical approaches by explicitly examining the power of market forces on firms in their design of predictive analytics.…”

Inclusion Needs Through the Lens of Intersectionality: Evidence supporting The 8-Inclusion Needs of All People Framework

“…"…the ability to get access to hair products, to have access to hair salons that can do the same hair as you would be doing….like being able to buy the meat you want to buy and cut by the butcher in a certain way… you want the ability to just run out of your house and go and pick that up kind of thing…" [Female, Racial Minority, Cultural Minority, Autism, Chronic Illness] This interview participant's statement highlights that access encompasses not only physical access, but also the ability to obtain products and services, make choices, and have convenience in everyday life (Poole et al, 2021). Here the participant illustrates that Access extends to a wide range of needs and preferences, catering to the diverse requirements of individuals.…”