Automated Decision Making

Automated Decision Making (ADM) is where machines make decisions instead of humans. ADM is everywhere, and when dealing with huge complex systems can be helpful. But in the case of Robodebt, it was a total disaster that ruined many lives.

Robodebt was a flawed government program that wrongfully accused people of owing money to Centrelink, based on an automated system that compared income data without proper checks. Many people were sent debt notices for amounts they didn't owe, leading to stress, financial hardship and in some cases suicide. The program relied on faulty data and didn’t give individuals a fair chance to dispute the claims. As a result, thousands of Australians were unfairly targeted. As one Federal Court judge stated, “The Robodebt scheme was unlawful, and the use of automated data matching caused enormous distress and financial hardship to vulnerable Australians."

To avoid this ever happening again, there needs to be safeguards and accountability.

Have your say here

What do you think about Automated Decision Making?

Are you concerned the about loss of jobs?

What do think needs to happen to make it safe?