A Dutch court has outlawed the use of artificial intelligence to identify possible benefits fraudsters because it violates the human rights of poor and vulnerable claimants. The case will alarm the DWP which is investing heavily in robot technology.
Back in October we told readers that the ‘DWP are creating over 100 types of benefits robots’ at their ‘intelligent automation garage’.
The bots include artificial intelligence systems which are designed to judge whether claims for benefits are truthful.
Hiding beneath a cloak of commercial confidentiality, the DWP are refusing to reveal details of how the bots make their decisions, including what information they hold about claimants.
However, faced with similar technology and a similar lack of transparency, a Dutch court has held that the system may be discriminating on the basis of socioeconomic or migrant status and is therefore a breach of human rights.
You can read the full story in the Guardian.
