Algorithmic Duty of Care: Algorithm-Love Thy Neighbor A New Social Contract for the Age of Algorithms

There has never been a more urgent time to advocate for an Algorithmic Duty of Care. Algorithmic Duty of Care, could easily be called Algorithm Love Thy Neighbor, and that is its subtitle.

The book is timely because in the rush to "algorithmify" the world we live in, it reminds us of who we are: the concept of love they neighbor is in every religion of the world and it is at the heart of law. But it's not in our algorithms (YET). This is important to consider because algorithms are now the gatekeepers in many areas of our lives. The book is also timely, and a fast read on what is happening in the US and the world to protect people. By considering our new digital worlds as "digital kingdoms" we can see the relevance of Magna Carta, an ancient document that has been influential in the governments and societies of the modern world. Uncontrolled power, in the form of a King, has through history, never turned out well. We can learn from history's lessons, and remember that we are not mere consumes of this world, we are designing it. We can bring these ancient ideas into our designs and laws. In fact, it is already happening. In the book you learn about real world court cases, such as the Horizon IT Postal scandal, Robodebt and the Dutch child benefits scandal , some involving thousands of human lives that have been upended, by algorithmic and AI harm. These court cases, and the damage that led to them, are part of what is driving the development of new laws and policies. The outcomes of these cases is driving a new way of business; all of our lives will ultimately be shaped by such cases. Around the world, from Brussels to Brazil, a rapid new body of law is developing to regulate algorithms and AI systems. It is clear our societies need such protections, both explicitly as policy and law, and algorithmically. As I write this, 45 grieving families whose children were harmed by social media are protesting in front of Meta's corporate New York City headquarters, demanding the company institute better safeguards for kids within its social media platforms. This includes presenting a formal letter, signed by over 10,000 people (!), including prominent online safety groups, urging Meta's leadership to implement meaningful changes to its Facebook and Instagram digital properties.

This moment, poignant as it is, reflects only one facet of a larger, more profound narrative. While the societal impact of social media is undeniably vast, the reach of algorithms actually extends far beyond social platforms and even our screens: algorithms now weave themselves into the very fabric of our lives-shaping education, finance, healthcare, employment, entertainment, and even our justice system. Simply put, the "algorithmification" of society is happening at a breakneck pace, and its implications demand our full attention. Now. This book is a guide to what is happening. If you are interested in AI education, this book needs to be a core essential. It is also helpful to hand to someone who may be looking to come up to speed quickly on this rapid global transformation and the issues at stake - from China's smart courts to the automatic creation of law in the UAE.

Dr. Mason is a pioneer in Artificial Intelligence. As an AI research scientist and engineer at U.C. Berkeley, NASA and Stanford University, she has made contributions to software agents, robotics and applied positive psychology. Among her many endeavors, she created a computer science department in the Australian Outback (noted in the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California), developed RADIO AI, one of the first online AI Education resources for the general public, and pioneered the new field of Artificial Compassion - a fusion of positive psychology, human science and various technologies, including AI. She has served on a variety of committees, including the IEEE committee for Children's Privacy and Data Protection, the White House task force to prevent rape on college campuses, and was the CTO of Knightsbridge Castle, a security and identity theft start-up in Woodside, California. During the pandemic, she participated in the U.K's Nation Health Systems AI Lab, occasionally conducting research in patent cases. Her first book, AI and the Environment (sold in 31 countries), documents the first efforts of Environmental Scientists to apply AI to practical and theoretical issues, and in 2024, it was considered by the Environment Law Journal to still be the best resource on applying AI to complex real world problems related to sustainability and the planet.

Mr. Curt Hall is a seasoned tech analyst, researcher, and editor who's been tracking the front lines of digital innovation for over two decades. His work dives deep into AI, machine learning, NLP, big data, and the systems shaping how we live and decide. A longtime contributor to the Cutter Consortium (an Arthur D. Little Community) and editor of multiple tech strategy journals, Curt brings sharp insight and a grounded perspective to the fast-moving world of algorithmic systems and digital ethics.