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Algorithm Delegation and Responsibility: Shifting Blame to the Programmer?

Author

Listed:
  • Mathieu Chevrier

    (Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, GREDEG, France)

  • Vincent Teixeira

    (Université de Lorraine, CNRS, BETA, France)

Abstract

In a lab experiment, we investigate whether individuals delegate allocation decisions to an intermediary in order to shift blame. The intermediary can be a human, a rule-based algorithm (RA), or an artificial intelligence algorithm (AI), depending on the treatment condition. Behind these algorithms, a programmer fully controls the decisions of the RA and partially controls the decisions of the AI. We find that participants delegate regardless of the type of intermediary (human, RA, or AI). While human intermediaries and RA programmers are perceived as more responsible for inegalitarian decisions, the delegator is perceived as less responsible. AI programmers and the delegator are not perceived as responsible for the inegalitarian allocations made by the AI. This allows AI programmers to exploit the moral wiggle room and select inegalitarian allocations more frequently.

Suggested Citation

  • Mathieu Chevrier & Vincent Teixeira, 2024. "Algorithm Delegation and Responsibility: Shifting Blame to the Programmer?," GREDEG Working Papers 2024-04, Groupe de REcherche en Droit, Economie, Gestion (GREDEG CNRS), Université Côte d'Azur, France, revised Sep 2024.
    • Handle: RePEc:gre:wpaper:2024-04
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Artificial Intelligence; Delegation; Responsibility; Moral Wiggle Room; Punishment; Laboratory Experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement

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