Towards the Systemic Review of Automated Decision-Making Systems

1. The UK is moving towards a system of governance by algorithm. Public authorities at the national and local levels are replacing human decision-makers with algorithmic tools that deconstruct complex issues of policy “into neatly defined, structured and well-scoped problems that can be solved [mathematically]”. This technological overhaul of public administration is forecast to bring more efficient governance, reducing costs and delays, while also removing human error and increasing transparency and consistency. However, far from neutral and infallible mathematical tools, algorithms are products of human creation which can be impressed with tendencies towards bias and error andwhich can evade proper scrutiny because of technical features, proprietary interests, or issues of scale. The emergence of a digital technocratic state consequently raises a number of challenges for upholding the rule of law and principles of good governance.