Cathy O'Neil

Mathematician and author of "Weapons of Math Destruction". Expert in algorithmic ethics.

Profile

Cathy O'Neil is a mathematician, data scientist, and author who has become one of the leading voices warning about the dangers of algorithmic bias and mathematical discrimination. With a PhD in mathematics from Harvard and experience on Wall Street and in tech, she uniquely understands how mathematical models can perpetuate and amplify inequality when deployed without proper oversight.

Areas of Impact

• Algorithmic transparency and accountability
• Ethics in technology and AI
• Mathematical discrimination and bias
• Data science regulation and policy

Key Ideas & Works

• Weapons of Math Destruction (2016): Groundbreaking book exposing how algorithms can reinforce discrimination.
• Algorithmic Auditing: Advocating for systematic review of automated decision-making systems.
• Math Washing: The practice of using mathematical complexity to obscure unfair practices.
• O'Neil Risk Consulting & Algorithmic Auditing (ORCA): Company focused on algorithmic accountability.

Notable Quotes

"Algorithms don't make things fair. They automate the status quo."
"Big data codifies the past. It does not invent the future."
"The poor are more likely to have bad credit and live in high-crime neighborhoods, surrounded by other poor people. Once the dark universe of algorithms digests that data, it showers them with predatory ads for subprime loans."