RSF author David G. Robinson (University of California, Berkeley and Apple University) discussed his new RSF book Voices in the Code: A Story About People, Their Values, and the Algorithm They Made, which is about the development of the current kidney transplant allocation system on a recent episode of the Marketplace Tech podcast with host Kimberly Adams.

Robinson began the podcast by discussing how the kidney transplant algorithm works. The algorithm takes into account factors such as blood type and location to create a prioritized list of potential transplant recipients. However, this prioritization has not always been equitable; previous versions of the system, with the goal of “maximizing the total number of years” lived, have inadvertently penalized older candidates and candidates of color. In 2004, The Kidney Transplantation Committee was tasked with overhauling the system to make it more efficient and equitable.

Robinson emphasized that while algorithms may seem to be answers to technical questions, underlying high stakes algorithms, such as the kidney matching system, are moral and ethical questions. He argues that input from the communities impacted by algorithms is necessary in their development process. Recent legislation proposed in both the U.S. and Europe as well as advocacy efforts have promoted the use of community input in the creation of high stakes algorithms. 

Robinson concluded by stating while he does not believe that people will ever fully accept algorithms making hard moral and ethical decisions, algorithms can be worked on democratically for better and more equitable outcomes, such as in the case of the development of the current Kidney Allocation System.

David G. Robinson is a visiting scholar at the Social Science Matrix at the University of California, Berkeley, and a member of the faculty at Apple University. From 2018 to 2021, he developed this book as a Visiting Scientist at Cornell’s AI Policy and Practice Project. Earlier, Robinson co-founded and led Upturn, an NGO that partners with civil rights organizations to advance equity and justice in the design, governance, and use of digital technology.

Listen to the podcast.
Read an excerpt of Voices in the Code on Slate.
Purchase a copy of Voices in the Code.