Algorithmic Fairness Dilemma

Algorithmic risk assessments are increasingly used in pretrial decisions, raising questions about fairness. While some models may be calibrated to avoid bias in overall risk scores, disparities in error rates reveal a troubling reality: black defendants are often miscategorized as riskier compared to their white counterparts. This complex intersection of mathematics, ethics, and public policy challenges us to consider which definitions of fairness should take precedence when they conflict.